News

Thompson v. Dekalb County

Mr. Thompson was jailed for five days due to his inability to pay fines and fees. He was not informed of his right to request court-appointed counsel, and was ultimately not provided with counsel, nor a pre-deprivation indigency hearing prior to being jailed.

Screening Out Family Time- The For-Profit Video Visitation Industry In Prisons And Jails

This report discusses the disadvantages of the video visitation technology provided in jails and prisons, including the costs to families and how video visits are not an adequate substitute for in-person visits.

Personal Narrative: McArthur Edwards

In 2013, Edwards was stopped by police and ticketed for driving with a broken light over his back license plate. State department of transportation records show that when he didn't pay the $64 fine, his driver's license was suspended for two years. He kept driving and got more tickets.

Personal Narrative: Desiree Seats

Desiree Seats was 23 years old and a mother of a 4-year old boy back in 2014 when she found out her license was suspended before was ever granted one.

Reed v. City of Ferguson

This case challenges the constitutionality of the warrant recall fee, letter fee, and failure to appear fee imposed by Ferguson Municipal Court, alleging that these fees were enacted for profit and not to promote the welfare of the public.

Missouri SB 5: Modifies distribution of traffic fines and court costs collected by municipal courts

This Act significantly modifies various provisions related to local government revenue in Missouri, including the imposition and enforcement of fines and fees in municipal courts. The Act imposed a 20% cap on municipal court revenue from fines and fees everywhere in the state except St. Louis County, where the cap was 12.5%.

News

Thompson v. Dekalb County

Screening Out Family Time- The For-Profit Video Visitation Industry In Prisons And Jails

Personal Narrative: McArthur Edwards

Personal Narrative: Desiree Seats

Reed v. City of Ferguson

Missouri SB 5: Modifies distribution of traffic fines and court costs collected by municipal courts

Unified But Not Uniform: Judicial Funding Issues in Alabama

The Debt Penalty: Exposing the Financial Barriers to Offender Reintegration

As Court Fees Rise, The Poor Are Paying The Price

State-By-State Court Fees