Ability to Pay Archives - Page 38 of 39 - Fines and Fees Justice Center

The Burden of Criminal Justice Debt in Alabama

Foster Cook’s report includes quantitative and qualitative survey results from 943 participants from 13 counties in Alabama. The report includes information about the collateral consequences of increased court costs on incarcerated people in Alabama, including harsh penalties for nonpayment and the phenomenon of defendants turning to crime as a funding source to pay their fines and fees.

Cleveland v. City of Montgomery et al. & Watts v. City of Montgomery et al

The SPLC filed a lawsuit challenging Cleveland’s and Watts’ incarceration as a violation of the due process and equal protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution and the state constitution.

Hawaii §706-641: Criteria for imposing fines

This Hawaii law specifies criteria that must be satisfied before a court can sentence a person to pay a fine. If the fine is the only punishment included in a sentence, the court cannot assess the fine unless “the person is or will be able to pay the fine,” and “the fine will not prevent the defendant from making restitution to the victim.”

Legal Financial Obligations: Fulfilling the Promise of Gideon by Reducing the Burden

Stearns examines the imposition and enforcement of Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs) in Washington State on people unable to pay them and argues that the resulting disparities impact the ability of the criminal justice system to impose fair and meaningful penalties that hold people accountable and reduce recidivism.

State v. Blazina, et al.

Mr. Blazina was sentenced to 20 months in prison for second degree assault. Attached to his sentence was over $3000 in fees and tens of thousands of dollars in restitution. The Washington Supreme Court held that individualized inquiries of the defendant’s current and future ability to pay must be made before imposing Legal Financial Obligations.

Ability to Pay

The Burden of Criminal Justice Debt in Alabama

Cleveland v. City of Montgomery et al. & Watts v. City of Montgomery et al

Hawaii §706-641: Criteria for imposing fines

Legal Financial Obligations: Fulfilling the Promise of Gideon by Reducing the Burden

State v. Blazina, et al.

Johnson v. State

In For A Penny- The Rise of America’s New Debtors’ Prisons

The Hidden Costs of Florida’s Criminal Justice Fees

Nickel and Diming the Criminal Defendant: A Look at Financial Penalties in Felony Cases

Maryland’s Parole Supervision Fee: A Barrier To Reentry