Washington Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Fines and Fees Justice Center

Debtors’ Blocks: How Monetary Sanctions Make Between-neighborhood Racial and Economic Inequalities Worse

Poverty, inequality and the numerous disadvantages that come with legal financial obligations (LFOs) are all present in resource-deprived neighborhoods. These disadvantages are exacerbated by the isolation of poor and predominately …

City of Seattle v. Long

Summary: Steven Long worked as a general tradesman and stored work tools and personal items in his truck, where he had been living since he was evicted from his apartment in …

The High Price of Using Justice Fines and Fees to Fund Government in Washington State

Fines and fees can cause severe and destabilizing harm for people required to pay them. Researchers from the Vera Institute of Justice collected and analyzed budget data from state, county, city and …

Washington SB 5226: An Act Relating to the suspension of licenses for traffic infractions

Washington recently passed a bill ending driver’s license suspensions for failure to pay a monetary penalty, fee, cost, assessment, or other monetary obligation relating to a non criminal traffic infraction. You …

Living with Conviction: Sentenced To Debt For Life In Washington State

Through storytelling and legal empowerment, Living with Conviction: Sentenced to Debt for Life in Washington State partners with formerly incarcerated individuals to advocate for the end of onerous legal financial …

Seattle receives national recognition for preventing crashes with lower speed limits

The Seattle Department of Transportation recently reduced speed limits to 25 mph, resulting in a 22 percent decrease in crashes. In addition to reducing speed limits, the city increased speed …

The Broad Scope and Variation of Monetary Sanctions: Evidence from Eight States

This study describes the findings from the Multi-state study of Monetary Sanctions, examining the systems of monetary sanctions operating in California, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Texas and Washington. …

Fiscal Pressures, the Great Recession, and Monetary Sanctions in Washington Courts

Using data from all municipal and district courts in Washington between 2000 and 2014, where a fine, fee, cost, or other legal financial obligation (LFO) was imposed, the author analyzes …

Seattle Discretionary Fines and Fees Rule Change

Seattle Municipal Court judges voted unanimously to eliminate all discretionary fines and fees imposed in criminal cases. Judges recognize the financial harms caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to …

Price of Justice- Challenging the Future of Fines and Fees

This report summarizes the progress five states made in fines and fees reform, the challenges they experienced, and guidance for other jurisdictions interested in reforming their court systems.