FFJC Celebrates Passage of HB2265

ARIZONA — Last week, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed HB2265 into law, a landmark new bill that ends justice fees for a person’s right to a public defender, appeal, and trial by jury In response, Fines and Fees Justice Center’s (FFJC) Senior Advocacy and Campaigns Strategist Emily King issued the following statement on behalf of FFJC and the End Justice Fees campaign:

“Today, Arizona affirmed a simple but powerful truth: you should not have to pay to access constitutional rights. By eliminating public defender fees, jury fees, and appellate fees, Arizona has torn down the paywall that stood between citizens and their Sixth Amendment rights. This is a victory for due process, for working families, and for fiscal common sense — because chasing uncollectable debt was never a sound or sustainable way to fund courts.

“FFJC thanks Gov. Hobbs for her signature, Rep. Neal Carter for his leadership, and coalition partners Stand for Children and Justice Action Network for their tireless advocacy.”