Tools Archives - Fines and Fees Justice Center

Missing in Actions: How Low Appearance Rates Impact Courts

Missed appearances can have negative consequences for court users, as well as courts themselves. This report identifies four main ways missed court appearances impact court operations: caseflow & workload, staffing, …

Winnable Criminal Justice Reforms 2026

The Prison Policy Initiative released a list of promising policy reforms across several touchpoints in the criminal legal system: sentencing, incarceration, and release. The report identifies 34 reforms in eight …

Community Service Alternatives: A Free Resource List for Courts and Other Justice System Stakeholders

When an individual does not have the ability to pay fines or fees, community service can be an appropriate alternative to financial sanctions. While typically available in most jurisdictions, outdated …

Ability to Pay and the Affordability of Fines and Fees

Using data from the Urban Institute’s 2024 Well-Being and Basic Needs Survey, the Tax Policy Center produced a factsheet examining the prevalence of ability to pay inquiries and affordability options. …

Guide to New Low Rates and Consumer Protections for Incarcerated People’s Communications Services

Effective January 1, 2025, the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act expands and clarifies the scope of the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) authority over incarcerated people’s communications services. To …

Fact Sheet: Unpacking The Latest Fines and Fees Trends Across Georgia

In Georgia, local governments that rely heavily on fines and fees end up criminalizing residents who struggle to pay, with the burden falling hardest on communities with high poverty rates …

Understanding Victim Experiences with Restitution: Research Toolkit

Restitution reform has largely remained outside of the scope of fines and fees reform due to both differing rationales and intended recipients. This toolkit helps jurisdictions identify how data and …

WA State Courts of Limited Jurisdiction: 2024 Reference Guide on Legal Financial Obligations in Criminal Cases

This bench card is meant to educate Washington State judges about procedural protections owed to defendants who are ordered to pay fines and fees in criminal court.

Redesigning Public Safety: Substance Use

Many people who use drugs are also involved in the criminal legal system and have to pay fines and fees. Fines are often used to deter and punish drug use, …

Consumer Debt Litigation Index

The Consumer Debt Litigation Index, developed by the National Center for Access to Justice (NCAJ), evaluates how well each U.S. state and the District of Columbia protects consumers facing debt …