Research Archives - Fines and Fees Justice Center

Impact of Debt-Based License Suspension Reform on Statewide Employment

Millions of drivers have had their licenses suspended for unpaid traffic, toll, misdemeanor and felony fines and fees, often impacting their ability to earn. In this study, researchers looked at …

Making Children Pay The Hidden Cost to Kansas of Juvenile Fees and Fines

Kansas imposes a wide range of fines and fees on youth at nearly every point in the legal process. Using data from court records, state and county financial reports, previous …

Seizing the Safety Net: Collecting Criminal Justice Debt with Tax Refund Offsets

Focusing on Kansas as a case study, this report examines how federal and state governments seize income tax refunds to collect and pay off (“offset”) criminal justice debt. These tax …

Paying for the Right to Counsel: National Survey Findings on the Practice of Charging Public Defense Fees to Clients

The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel, and the Supreme Court has held that the Sixth Amendment requires states to provide a lawyer if a defendant cannot afford one. …

Unrepresented and Unseen: A Closer Look at the Harmful Impacts of Municipal COurts on Youth, Families

With over 215 municipal courts, each year thousands of Colorado youth and their families become involved in the municipal court system, often through tickets for school based offenses. Despite this, …

From Barriers to Bridges: How Fines and Fees Reform Can Help Boost Economic Security

In Georgia, fines and fees imposed by state and local governments in the criminal legal system are a barrier to economic security. This report by the Georgia Budget and Policy …

The Public Harm Under a For-Profit Probation System: Spotlight on Augusta

In Georgia, traffic and minor offenses often carry fines and fees that many residents cannot afford to pay upfront, which may result in being placed on “pay-only” misdemeanor probation under …

Five Facts about Fines and Fees Revenues

This brief summarizes the latest data from the US Census Bureau on where and to what extent places are relying on fine and fee revenue. Key Findings: Fiscal year 2022 …

Fair Warnings: Recommendations to Promote Equity in Speed Safety Camera Programs

Speed safety cameras are widely used internationally and in more than 240 communities in the United States as a traffic safety strategy. When well designed, operated, and monitored they can …

Failure to Pay The Use of Debt-Based Carceral Sanctions and Warrants in Wisconsin’s Municipal Courts

Although municipal courts in Wisconsin do not enforce criminal penalties, many order the arrest and jailing of people for debt-based sanctions. Municipal courts use writs of commitment to authorize the …