Ability to Pay Archives - Page 6 of 18 - Fines and Fees Justice Center

People v. Duenas

Velia Duenas, a homeless, married mother of two children, had her license suspended because she was unable to pay $1088 for three juvenile citations. She continued to drive, received three misdemeanor convictions, and spent 141 days in jail because she was unable to pay the fines.

Justice Derailed: A case study of abusive and unconstitutional practices in Colorado city courts

This case study of municipal courts in Colorado is based on a multi-year ACLU investigation which revealed that despite a bipartisan reform effort in the state legislature, many of Colorado’s municipal courts persistently ignore both constitutional standards and state law and continue to employ practices that punish defendants for their poverty.

Commonwealth v. Smetana

Appellant was held in contempt and incarcerated for failure to pay his court fines and fees without any inquiry into his ability to pay. The appellant mentioned that his sibling may be able to pay, but no further inquiry was made by the court. He was sentenced to thirty days imprisonment with credit for time served and a $200 fee to purge the contempt.

Arizona Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 2017 – 80: Facilitating the imposition and collection of court-ordered financial obligations

This new rule requires Arizona courts to offer payment plans for those who are unable to immediately pay their fines and fees.

Ability to Pay

People v. Duenas

Justice Derailed: A case study of abusive and unconstitutional practices in Colorado city courts

Commonwealth v. Smetana

Ohio House Bill 336: Create driver’s license reinstatement fee amnesty initiative

Driven By Dollars: A State-By-State Analysis of Driver’s License Suspension Laws for Failure to Pay Court Debt

Robinson v. Purkey

DiFrancesco v. Bullock

Thompson v. State of Florida

Kentucky Supreme Court Order 2017-07: Sliding scale of indigency

Arizona Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 2017 – 80: Facilitating the imposition and collection of court-ordered financial obligations