Maryland Archives - Fines and Fees Justice Center

Audit Report Office of the Clerk of Circuit Court Baltimore City, Maryland

Since 2008, five audits by the Office of Legislative Audits have identified deficiencies regarding the collection of delinquent criminal court fees, fines, and penalties by the Clerk of Circuit Court …

SB 898: Maryland Criminal Justice Debt Elimination and Prevention Act of 2021

The Maryland Criminal Justice Debt Elimination and Prevention Act of 2021 eliminates a number of criminal justice fines and fees. Key Provisions: The bill would eliminate the following fees: Court-related …

HB 1308: Vehicle Laws – Delinquent Traffic Citations – Enforcement

This bill repeals provisions permitting the suspension of driving privileges for failure to pay, or enter into a payment plan, and failure to comply with a notice to appear on …

Baltimore will no longer prosecute drug possession, prostitution, low-level crimes

The State’s Attorney’s Office made permanent its policy of declining to prosecute low-level offenses including minor traffic violations, first implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19 behind bars. Recently, the …

Maryland HB36: Juvenile Proceedings – Fines, Fees, and Costs

This bill eliminates the authority of Maryland courts to impose civil fines or court costs against a juvenile found delinquent.

Maryland Senate Bill 234: Vehicle Laws – Suspension of Driver’s License or Registration – Unpaid Citations or Judgements

This bill repeals the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration’s authority to suspend a driver’s license and vehicle registration for unpaid traffic fines. The bill does not end driver’s license suspensions for unpaid criminal fines.

Maryland HB 1178: Pilot Project for Income-Based Fines (Fair Fines Act of 2020)

This bill requires Maryland courts to establish a base fine for motor vehicle violations and use a formula to determine the amount an individual must pay.

Maryland HB0046: Motor Vehicle Administration – Authority to Suspend Registration for Violations Recorded by Traffic Control Signal Monitoring Systems and Speed Monitoring Systems – Repeal

This bill repeals the authority of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to suspend a driver’s registration for nonpayment of red-light camera tickets.

Maryland House Bill 1267: Prohibits driver’s license suspension for people on payment plans.

Maryland HB 1267 allows individuals who owe fines and fees to enter into a payment plan to avoid driver’s license suspension for nonpayment.

Maryland Senate Bill 823: Juvenile Proceedings – Fines, Fees, and Costs.

Maryland SB 823 would eliminate juvenile justice system fines and fees. Specifically, the bill would eliminate court fees and support costs for the detention and/or treatment of youth, and abolish fines imposed on youth and their families.