Part 6 – Trapped by Design: How Court Debt Devastates Lives
By Tanisha Pierrette, Senior Research Analyst & Lara Weissman, 2025 Communications Intern This is the final blog in our six-part series on how advocates can turn data into action. If …
Research
Part 5 – Ending the Debt-to-Arrest Pipeline: Why It’s Time for Warrant Reform
By Tanisha Pierrette, Senior Research Analyst This is part 5 of our six-part blog series, Reforming the Revenue Machine: An Advocate’s Guide to to Court Fines and Fees. Each post …
Part 4 – Fines and Fees: A Risky Source of Revenue for Governments
By Tanisha Pierrette, Senior Research Analyst & Lillian Patil, Senior Analyst, State & Local Budgets This is part 4 of our six-part blog series, Reforming the Revenue Machine: An Advocate’s …
Part 3 – State and Local Budgets Should Not Be Financially Dependent on Crime
By Tanisha Pierrette, Senior Research Analyst & Lillian Patil, Senior Analyst, State & Local Budgets This is part 3 of our six-part blog series, Reforming the Revenue Machine: An Advocate’s …
Part 2 – Exposing Fee Traps: Tracking Court Costs in Your Community
By Tanisha Pierrette, Senior Research Analyst This is part 2 of our six-part blog series, Reforming the Revenue Machine: An Advocate’s Guide to to Court Fines and Fees. Each post …
Part 1 – Translating National Data Into Local Action
By Tanisha Pierrette, Senior Research Analyst This is part 1 of our six-part blog series, Reforming the Revenue Machine: An Advocate’s Guide to to Court Fines and Fees. Each post …
Reforming the Revenue Machine: An Advocate’s Guide to Court Fines and Fees
This multi-part blog series will help advocates translate the data found in Imposing Instability into actionable messaging and steps you can use in campaigns for reform. Each blog will highlight key takeaways, connect national trends to what’s happening on the ground, and offer strategies to push for reform in your own community.
How Fines and Fees Hurt Women and Families: 6 Key Impacts
While many of us shop for flowers or plan brunches for Mother’s Day, millions of moms across the country are carrying a weight that no one should have to bear: unjust court debt.
The Price of a Fresh Start: True Second Chances Start With Fines and Fees Reform
Whether you’re fighting for parole and probation reform, advocating for fair housing, supporting reentry programs, or working to expand employment access, this #SecondChanceMonth, we’re calling on criminal justice reform advocates to consider how addressing fines and fees reform can enhance the work you’re already doing.