How to Use Budgets to Understand Criminal Justice Fines and Fees
The Vera Institute of Justice published a toolkit to help advocates analyze local budgets to better understand the impact of fines and fees and where reforms are needed. The publication details what to look for in budgets, questions to answer, and what to do with the information you find.
You can access the toolkit here.
Four Questions to answer about Fines and Fees:
- How much does your community collect in fines and fees?
- How many people pay fines and fees?
- What kinds of fines and fees are collected?
- Which agencies rely the most on fines and fees?
Recommended Articles
The Cost We No Longer Pay: How Fines and Fees Reform Delivered Billions in Relief for Families
People living paycheck-to-paycheck and communities of color are disproportionately impacted by criminal justice fines and fees. The consequences for b...
The Cost We No Longer Pay: How Fines and Fees Reform Delivered Billions in Relief for Families
Roots of Wealth: Unearthing Black Prosperity in the South
Roots of Wealth: Unearthing Black Prosperity in the South
Following the Money of Mass Incarceration 2026
Following the Money of Mass Incarceration 2026
Diversion Without Debt: Case Studies from Three County Prosecutors Leading Fee Reform
Diversion Without Debt: Case Studies from Three County Prosecutors Leading Fee Reform
State of Iowa v. Pagliai
State of Iowa v. Pagliai