Welcome to FFJC’s digital library of resources related to fines and fees, also known as the Clearinghouse. Our repository of research and tools is curated and summarized by our Policy and Research team and includes key fines and fees research, litigation, legislation, policy analysis and guidance, and case studies. Use the search features below to find the information you need to drive reform.

E.g., ‘impacts of fines and fees’
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Debt Sentence: How Fines And Fees Hurt Working Families

This report shares the results of a national survey of over 5,600 adults to see how court-imposed fines and fees affect people across the country.

Debt Sentence: How Fines And Fees Hurt Working Families

Identifying Drivers of Absconding
Identifying Drivers of Absconding

To identify the factors that drive parole and probation revocations, the Crime and Justice Institute, conducted a comprehensive assessment of community supervision policies and pra…
Research & Data / Colorado, Florida, Mississippi, Montana / March 30, 2025

State v. Gibbons
State v. Gibbons

Issue 1. Whether a law that imposed a $5,000 mandatory minimum fine without regard to the defendant’s ability to pay, is facially unconstitutional under the Excessive Fines Clause…
Cases / Montana / March 20, 2024

City of Whitefish v. Curran
City of Whitefish v. Curran

Issues 1. Can a court impose a fine on someone with a demonstrated inability to pay? 2. Is it an abuse of discretion to fail to offer alternatives to a fine when the statute allows…
Cases / Montana / June 20, 2023

Montana House Bill 217: An act revising laws related to suspension of a driver’s license for nonpayment of fines, fees, or restitution
Montana House Bill 217: An act revising laws related to suspension of a driver’s license for nonpayment of fines, fees, or restitution

Montana House Bill 217 provides that a person’s driver’s license cannot be suspended for failure to pay a fine, fee, or restitution.
Legislation / Montana / April 19, 2019

DiFrancesco v. Fox
DiFrancesco v. Fox

Plaintiffs allege that defendant’s practice of suspending drivers’ licenses indefinitely until all court fines and fees are paid regardless of ability to pay violates equal protect…
Cases / Montana / August 01, 2017

Missoula v. Franklin
Missoula v. Franklin

This case challenges the imposition of a surcharge by the City of Missoula that is not authorized by state law.
Cases / Montana / December 28, 2016