The Crippling Costs of the Juvenile Justice System: A Legal and Policy Argument for Elimination Fines and Fees for Youth Offenders

Across the country, youth and their families, many in poverty, face monetary charges for their involvement in the juvenile justice system, and the consequences can be devastating. In this article, the author argues that fines and fees imposed on youth offenders exacerbate economic and racial disparities, increase recidivism rates for juveniles, and create hardship for families. They also propose legal arguments such as the misapplication of Bearden v. Georgia, incorrect interpretations of “excessive” and “fine”, and unlawful application of state statutes as additional reasons for the elimination of fines and fees for youth offenders.  

Read the full article here.