New to Clearinghouse Archives - Page 12 of 17 - Fines and Fees Justice Center

Reducing the Harms of Court Debt: Driver’s License Revocations are an Ineffective Policy for Increasing Court Collections

Since 2011, Tennessee law has allowed for the revocation of a driver’s license for overdue court debt, but a temporary policy change from July 2018 to July 2021 halted driver’s …

Road to Nowhere: Debt-Related Driver’s License Suspensions in Ohio

Each year, over 1 million drivers in Ohio have a suspended license for failure to pay fines and fees. Using surveys, census data, and five years of debt-related suspension data …

“Another Place to Warehouse People”: The State Where Halfway Houses Are a Revolving Door to Prison

In Colorado, about 50 percent of people return to prison within three years of release–one of the worst recidivism rates in the country. The 26 state-funded halfway houses meant to …

Electronic Monitoring Fees: A 50-State Survey of the Costs Assessed to People on E-Supervision

This report examines statutes and rules from all 50 states and D.C. to determine whether their codes authorize fees for electronic monitoring at any point in the justice system and to what extent. It explores statutes related to both pretrial release and post-sentencing supervision, the fee amounts authorized, consequences for nonpayment and, to a limited extent, fees at the local level.

So Many Roadblocks: How California’s Program Fees System Traps Low-Income Drivers

California automatically suspends the driver’s licenses of people convicted for driving under the influence (DUI) and requires participation in an alcohol and drug education program in order to reinstate a …

Crime Survivors Speak 2022: National Survey Of Victims’ Views On Safety And Justice

Over 60 percent of people have been a victim of crime in the past decade, and half of them have been victims of a violent crime. As justice policy takes …

Court Fines and Fees Hurt Kansas Children and their Families

When Kansans interact with the criminal justice system, even for minor offenses, they often face substantial fines and fees that impact family finances, social structures, and support, keeping many trapped …

Diversion: A Hidden Key To Combating Racial And Ethnic Disparities In Juvenile Justice

Diverting youth from formal involvement in the juvenile justice system can lead to greater success in education and reduced recidivism. However, pre-arrest and pre-court diversion programs are underutilized in the …

Trial Court Administrative Order 22-3: Elimination of Monthly Probation Fees Imposed Pursuant to G.L. c. 276, § 87A

Effective July 1, 2022, Massachusetts eliminated monthly probation supervision fees, administrative probation fees, and victim services surcharges. Monthly probation fees assessed after the effective date will be remitted and paid …

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Lopez

Issue Whether Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 706(C) requires a trial court to consider a defendant’s ability to pay prior to imposing mandatory court costs at sentencing. Pa.R.Crim.P. 706(C) reads: “The court, …