News

Opinion: New York’s fines and fees are ripe for challenge: The Supreme Court ruling resonates here, where localities pile huge dollar penalties on rich and poor alike

For the New York Daily News, FFJC Co-Directors Lisa Foster and Joanna Weiss explain how the Supreme Court’s ruling in Timbs v. Indiana has the potential to accelerate fines and …

Fines and Fees Justice Center Files Amicus Brief Urging Supreme Court to Consider Constitutionality of Bond Fees

NEW YORK – JANUARY 28, 2019 – The Fines and Fees Justice Center, the Cato Institute, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the R Street Institute filed an amicus brief …

Institute for Justice and FFJC File Amicus Brief Urging an End to Driver’s License Suspension for Unpaid Fines and Fees

Press release courtesy of the Institute for Justice. The state of Tennessee revokes the driver’s license of any person who fails to pay fines, costs, and litigation taxes associated with …

People With Felony Convictions Might Have To Pay Hundreds Of Millions Before Being Able To Vote In Florida

If fines are considered part of a criminal sentence, Florida residents could have to pay at minimum hundreds of millions of dollars in outstanding fines related to felony charges before …

NYT Magazine: How Cities Make Money by Fining the Poor

The New York Times Magazine’s Matthew Shaer consulted FFJC Co-Director Joanna Weiss about America’s damaging fines and fees practices and the status of reform movements nationwide. “Cities use the justice …

Opinion: Prosecutors have the power to change system that penalizes poverty

For USA TODAY Opinion, FFJC’s Lisa Foster and FFJC Advisory Board member Miriam Krinsky argue that prosecutors can improve criminal justice fairness and eliminate perverse incentives by changing their fines and …

Fines and Fees Justice Center Launches Online Clearinghouse to Track Reform Efforts Nationwide

New York, NY—December 6, 2018—The Fines and Fees Justice Center (FFJC) launched its online Clearinghouse today, providing an easily-accessible library of information about efforts to reform fines and fees in …

FFJC Co-Director Lisa Foster joins New York Law School panel: “Criminalization of Poverty”

On Thursday, November 29, FFJC Co-Director Lisa Foster participated in a New York Law School panel discussion entitled “The Criminalization of Poverty.” The panel was moderated by Beth Fertig of …

FFJC Co-Director Joanna Weiss moderates New York City Bar Association panel on New York’s mandatory surcharges

On Wednesday, November 28, FFJC Co-Director Joanna Weiss moderated a New York City Bar Association panel about New York’s mandatory surcharges. Joanna was joined by NY State Supreme Court’s Hon. Daniel …

November 2018 Newsletter

Each month, the Fines and Fees Justice Center distributes a newsletter about fines and fees reform efforts happening all over America. You can sign up for the newsletter here, and you …