Michigan Archives - Fines and Fees Justice Center

2022 Final Report to the Governor, Legislature, and Supreme Court

Recommendations by the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration to decrease Michigan’s jail population led to the establishment of the Michigan Jail Reform Advisory Council (JRAC). JRAC …

Taylor v. City of Saginaw

United States District Court, E.D. Michigan, Northern Division August 8, 2022 — Fed. 3d — 2022 WL 3160734 Case No. 1:17-cv-11067

Why We Need to Stop Suspending and Revoking Driver’s Licenses Due to Debt

The Prosperity Now Scorecard rates states on their progress toward racial economic justice in several policy areas. The 2022 policy update includes an assessment of which states have ended the …

Minors Facing Major Debt: The Immense Burden of Court Fees on Macomb County Youth and Families

The Michigan Center for Youth Justice (MCYJ), in partnership with the National Center for Youth Law and the 16th Judicial Division, developed an innovation site in Macomb County, Michigan. In …

Michigan House Bills No. 4987–4991

The Michigan legislature introduced a package of bills that would prohibit juvenile courts from assessing and collecting fines and fees from juveniles or their families. The bills eliminate diversion program …

MI HB 5846

Michigan recently enacted legislation eliminating the authority to suspend, revoke, or restrict driver’s licenses for offenses unrelated to driving or vehicles; such as failing to appear in response to a citation or to …

The High Costs of “Justice”: A Snapshot of Juvenile Court Fines and Fees in Michigan

Through information collected from counties, advocates, community members and court involved families, the National Center for Youth Law published this brief summarizing the impact of juvenile court fines and fees …

Overdue for Justice: An Assessment of Access to and Quality of Juvenile Defense Counsel in Michigan

This report discusses the experience of youth involved in Michigan's juvenile justice system, including access and quality of representation, funding, and oversight of courts.

Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration Report and Recommendations

Michigan’s jail population has tripled from 1975 to 2016. To learn what led to this dramatic increase and identify alternatives, state and county leaders launched the Michigan Joint Task Force …

Fowler v. Benson

Plaintiffs allege that the Michigan Department of State’s automatic suspension of driver’s license of persons who owe court fines and fees, regardless of their ability to pay violates due process and equal protection.