News

Fines, Fees and Police Divestment: Statement and Policy Recommendations

Across the country, people are demanding that the government divest from law enforcement and invest in communities of color that have been over-policed and under-served. Any discussion of shrinking the …

Press Release: NY Legislature Sends Driver’s License Suspension Reform Bill to Gov. Cuomo’s Desk

NY Legislature Sends Driver’s License Suspension Reform Bill to Gov. Cuomo’s Desk Legislation Would End Widespread Driver’s License Suspensions for Unpaid Traffic Debt *Update October 14th 2020*: The Driven …

50+ Institutions Call on U.S. Senate Leadership to Pass the Driving for Opportunity Act

Today, the Free to Drive campaign sent a letter to U.S. Senate leaders signed by over 50 institutions calling for passage of the federal Driving for Opportunity Act, which would …

Press Release: Bipartisan U.S. Senate Bill Targets Debt-Based Driver’s License Suspensions

Bipartisan U.S. Senate Bill Targets Debt-Based Driver’s License Suspensions The Driving for Opportunity Act is backed by U.S. Senators Coons and Wickers, as well as a diverse coalition of criminal …

“The Other America”: How Fines and Fees Perpetuate Systemic Racism

By Priya Sarathy Jones, National Policy and Campaigns Director In 1955, Mamie Till Mobley made the courageous and heartbreaking decision to hold an open casket funeral for her son, Emmett …

George Floyd, Police Violence, and Our Work

We are mourning the murder of George Floyd. We stand in support with protesters speaking out against police violence across the United States and around the world. Increasingly over the …

National Effort to Reform Harmful Fines and Fees Announces Local Champions

Today, ten jurisdictions were announced as the winners of a national competition to join a leadership network pursuing bold, innovative solutions to reform unjust fines and fees. The selected leaders …

FFJC Statement & Recommendations On Enforcement of COVID-Related Orders

Across the country, governors and mayors have issued stay-at-home and social-distancing orders to prevent the spread of Covid-19. These orders are vital. They are intended to protect everyone’s health and …

Maryland Enacts New Law Ending Debt-Based Driver’s License Suspensions

Maryland Enacts New Law Ending Debt-Based Driver’s License Suspensions Coronavirus Crisis Heightens Urgency of Ending License Suspensions For “Driving While Broke” Nationwide Maryland AG Brian E. Frosh: “We Should Not …

Press Release: 60 NY Legislators Urge Gov. Cuomo to Take Emergency Measures to Stop Criminalizing Poverty

60 State Legislators Send Letter to Gov. Cuomo Urging Emergency Measures to Minimize Harms of Court Debt NY Can Follow Dozens of States & Localities Changing Fines & Fees Policies …