News

New Report Uncovers Hidden Tax on Justice in Nearly All 50 States

Today, the Fines and Fees Justice Center (FFJC) is releasing Assessments and Surcharges: A 50-State Survey of Supplemental Fees. Examining statutes and rules from all 50 states and D.C, this new report uncovers a system of hidden taxes that are assessed in nearly every criminal, traffic or local ordinance case. They fund not only the justice system, but other government programs — ranging from autism research to independent living programs to state and municipal general funds.

Using Behavioral Science To Create User-Friendly “Ability-To-Pay” Tools

By Shanelle Johnson, FFJC Senior Policy Counsel What does it mean to ask the question, can a person afford to pay the fines and fees assessed by the court? Many …

National Campaign to Eliminate Justice System Fees Launches Today

National Campaign to Eliminate Justice System Fees Launches Today New poll reveals 62% of U.S. voters support fee elimination Today, a bipartisan coalition spearheaded by the Fines and Fees Justice …

Press Release: New Report Sheds Light on Murky World of Electronic Monitoring Fees

New Report Sheds Light on Murky World of Electronic Monitoring Fees 1st-of-Its-Kind National Examination Reveals Widespread Imposition of Electronic Monitoring Fees Across U.S. Momentum to Eliminate Justice Fees Growing Among …

FFJC Op-Ed: Why Is the Nevada Department of Corrections Profiting off Struggling Families?

Most people probably assume that necessities like food and emergency medical care are provided for people locked up in prisons and jails. In Nevada, they come at a steep cost — and it’s struggling families on the outside who are paying exorbitant prices to provide for their incarcerated loved ones, while the Department of Corrections (DOC) makes outrageous profits.

Press Release: National Effort to Reform Local Fines & Fees Announces New City and County Champions

Cities and Counties for Fine and Fee Justice announces their latest members to the leadership network dedicated to pursuing bold fine and fee reforms.

Press Release: Santa Fe City Council Approves Ordinance Limiting Debt-Based Driver’s License Suspensions

Santa Fe City Council Approves Ordinance Limiting Debt-Based Driver’s License Suspensions Councilors Urge State Lawmakers to Reach Statewide Fix Santa Fe – The Santa Fe City Council unanimously approved a …

Gov. DeSantis Signs Bill Increasing Access to Payment Plans for Fines and Fees

Governor DeSantis Signs Bill Increasing Access to Payment Plans for Fines and Fees With Bipartisan Support in Florida’s Legislature, New Law Will Increase Revenue and Keep Safe Drivers on the …

Press Release: National Examination of Probation & Parole Fees Finds Widespread Imposition in Nearly All 50 States

The Fines and Fees Justice Center (FFJC) and REFORM Alliance are co-releasing a new publication revealing the widespread imposition of probation and parole supervision and programming fees in nearly all 50 U.S. states.

FFJC Op-Ed: Policing-for-Profit Undermines Public Safety. This Town Shows A Better Way.

FFJC Op-Ed: Policing-for-Profit Undermines Public Safety. This Town Shows A Better Way. By Chief James Small (police chief and public safety director of Palmyra, Wisconsin) and Joanna Weiss, co-director of …