Recognizing Women as the Bedrock
by: Joanna Weiss and Tanisha Pierrette Throughout March, we celebrate the history and achievements of women. Too often, the remarkable strength and tenacity required for women’ s everyday survival is …
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33 ArticlesFrom the Philippines to the U.S.: Lessons on Fines and Fees Reform from the Second National Decongestion Summit
By Joanna Weiss In January, the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) sponsored the Philippines’ Second National Decongestion Summit in Manila to generate concrete plans to address the …
2024 Legislative Roundup: Fines and Fees Reform Across the Country
As jurisdictions gear up for the upcoming 2025 sessions, now is the time for advocates to analyze 2024’s fines and fees legislation and strategize for 2025.
FFJC Commends Gov. Stitt’s Commitment to Ending Justice Fees and Reforming Court Debt Practices in Oklahoma
Today, Governor Kevin Stitt made a bold commitment in his 2025 State of the State Address to reform fines and fees practices, acknowledging their role in trapping Oklahoma residents in a cycle of debt.
Budgets Speak Louder Than Words: How Tracking Fines & Fees Revenue Can Reveal Jurisdictions’ Actual Priorities
Tracking fines and fees revenue and expenditures through the budget can not only help advocates hold policy makers accountable, but it can also provide a means for pursuing intentional budget reform.
DOJ’s Dear Colleague Letter is As Relevant As Ever. It’s Time We Remind Courts and Judges.
by: Lisa Foster, Co-Executive Director of the Fines and Fees Justice Center The U.S. Department of Justice has repeatedly warned state and local courts that their use and collection of court fines …
FFJC Fiscal Analysis Reveals NY State Can Easily Afford to End Predatory Fees
A new analysis of New York’s fee revenue by the Fines and Fees Justice Center has revealed that eliminating court fees would have very little impact on the state’s budget, …
2023 State Legislative Round-Up: Fines and Fees Reform Across the Country
FFJC's latest summary of the legislation related to fines and fees that was introduced during 2023 state legislative sessions.
National Fines & Fees Reform Movement Charts Course for More Victories in 2024
When this organization started six years ago we could never have predicted the breadth and pace of fines and fees reform that would unfold across the nation. And still, our work is just beginning. Here our Deputy Executive Director, Priya Sarathy Jones shares insights about FFJC’s first-ever Fines and Fees Advocacy Summit, our robust national reform strategy, and how we are revving up for more 2024 victories.
Nevada Ends Exploitative Incarceration Costs While Laying Groundwork for Future Misdemeanor Reform
FFJC Nevada together with our key partners across the state were able to successfully pass significant fine and fee reform in the 2023 legislative session with bipartisan support from the Democratic controlled legislature and newly elected Republican governor. We also thwarted efforts to impose new fees in the criminal legal system and set the groundwork for future misdemeanor reform.