Research Archives - Page 12 of 43 - Fines and Fees Justice Center

Justice by Geography: The Role of Monetary Sanctions Across Communities

Although state statutes often dictate the amount of fines and fees imposed, local courts have significant discretion in how they carry out the laws and there is variation between courts …

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At What Cost? Findings from an Examination into the Imposition of Public Defense System Fees

In the United States, there is a constitutional right to counsel for defendants who cannot afford a private attorney when facing a charge where, if convicted, they may lose their …

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Extended Injustice: Court Fines and Fees for Young People are Counterproductive, Particularly Harm Black Young People, Families, and Communities

Black youths in Virginia are often swept into the youth criminal legal system by schools that fail to provide them with school-based support. Once in the system, Black youths and …

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The Constitutionality of Income-Based Fines

The current financial consequences for low-income offenders often lead to cycles of debt and jail, while high-income individuals can break the law without meaningful financial consequences. Although imposing fines regardless …

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Dual Debtors: Child Support and Criminal Financial Legal Obligations

Using interviews and administrative data to link individuals owing both child support and criminal monetary sanctions in Minnesota, the authors highlight the experiences, perspectives, and behavioral strategies of people who …

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Traffic Enforcement: Strategies Needed to Achieve Safety Goals

In March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic enforcement by the King County Sheriff’s Office declined, but by mid 2020 returned to a higher level in jurisdictions with officers …

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A Debt of Care: Commercial Bail and the Gendered Logic of Criminal Justice Predation

Commercial bail extracts millions of dollars from justice-involved individuals and their families every year, but little research exists on the inner working and operational processes of the bail industry. Associate …

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475,106 Mistakes: When Tickets are Issued Under False Pretenses

In Chicago, many parking restrictions change according to space, time, and weather factors, resulting in the issuance of erroneous tickets. A review of nearly 3.6 million tickets, cross-examined with administrative …

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50 State Survey: Probation and Parole Fees

A state-by-state look at the scope of probation and parole supervision fees, programming fees, and consequences for failure to pay.

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Small Fines And Fees, Large Impacts: Ability-To-Pay Hearings

Excessive fines and fees on low-income people threaten our criminal justice system and violate the Constitution’s Due Process and Excessive Fines Clauses. The Fourteenth and Eighth amendment requires courts to …

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