News

Ensuring Young People are not Criminalized for Poverty: Bail, Fees, Fines, Costs and Restitution in Juvenile Court

The harms caused by the assessment of bail, fees, fines, costs and restitution in juvenile court are detrimental, and often exacerbated by the youth’s inability to pay. This bench card …

Personal Narrative: Karen McNeil

In November 2015, McNeil pled guilty to driving with a revoked license. She was placed on probation for 11 months and 29 days and ordered to pay $426 in fines and fees, $25 each week in court costs and fines, $45 a month in supervision fees, and $45 for each drug test.

Resolution Addressing Fines, Fees, and Costs in Juvenile Courts [Resolution and Bench Card]

The National Council of Juvenile Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) passed a resolution advocating for the reduction or elimination of fines and fees in juvenile courts. The resolution was published alongside a judicial bench card that outlines types of financial obligations that youth and families may encounter in juvenile and family court, details the impacts of those obligations, and explains how judges can address fines and fees in their own courtrooms. The bench card includes several practice recommendations for juvenile and family court judges.

Arizona HB 2312: Relating to setting aside a conviction.

This bill prohibits Arizona courts from charging filing fees for applications to have a judgment of guilt “set aside” or to have a conviction cleared from an individual’s criminal record.

A Pound of Flesh- The Criminalization of Private Debt

This report exposes how the private debt collection industry uses the court system to coerce payment from people, many of whom cannot afford to pay their debts.

Minnesota HF 3357: Reduction or waiver of the criminal and traffic surcharge authorized; courts required to consider indigency or hardship before imposing fines, fees, or surcharges; and notice required.

This bill would allow courts to reduce or waive fines and fees imposed on defendants in criminal and traffic court, require courts to consider ability to pay before sentencing a defendant to pay a fine or fee, and require that traffic tickets inform recipients of the court’s ability to waive or reduce fines and fees.

Minnesota HF 3356: Public safety commissioner’s authority to suspend drivers’ licenses modified, retroactive driver’s license reinstatement provided, and technical changes made.

This bill would prohibit the suspension of driver’s licenses for nonpayment of fines and fees, provide for retroactive driver’s license reinstatement, and make a number of technical changes to relevant traffic enforcement activities.

Michigan Public Acts 43-50: Elimination of Driver Responsibility Fees; License Reinstatement

In Michigan, legislation that abolishes the state’s “driver responsibility fees” took effect on October 1, 2018. These fees were introduced in 2003 as a way to balance the state budget, and they have imposed a crushing burden on at least 350,000 drivers statewide.

How Chicago Ticket Debt Sends Black Motorists Into Bankruptcy

Filing for bankruptcy to avoid car impoundments and or a boot that immobilizes their vehicle has become a popular “remedy” for Chicago drivers who can’t afford to pay off debt from traffic tickets, parking violations, and vehicle compliance infractions.

A Debtor’s Prison: Court fees and minor fines are leading to debilitating cycles of incarceration in the US

This short documentary film tells the story of two St. Louis women who were unjustly incarcerated because of failure to pay their fines and fees.