ABA adopts guidelines aimed at preventing fines and fees that penalize poverty

The American Bar Association (ABA) adopted Ten Guidelines on Court Fines and Fees, principles designed to ensure that no one is subject to sanctions, including incarceration, simply because they do not have the money to pay, and to eliminate the financial incentives in the criminal justice system to impose fines and fees. The Guidelines are intended to be a standard against which courts can measure their practices, as well as a tool for advocates of fines and fees reform. Both FFJC Co-Directors, Joanna Weiss and Lisa Foster, were members of the Working Group that composed the Guidelines. Read the full text of the resolution.