How Fines and Fees Hurt Women and Families: 6 Key Impacts
While many of us shop for flowers or plan brunches for Mother’s Day, millions of moms across the country are carrying a weight that no one should have to bear: unjust court debt.
Collateral Consequences
The Price of a Fresh Start: True Second Chances Start With Fines and Fees Reform
Whether you’re fighting for parole and probation reform, advocating for fair housing, supporting reentry programs, or working to expand employment access, this #SecondChanceMonth, we’re calling on criminal justice reform advocates to consider how addressing fines and fees reform can enhance the work you’re already doing.
Bipartisanship at Work: A Decade of Fines and Fees Reform
In an era marked by deep political divisions, certain issues transcend partisan boundaries, uniting leaders in pursuit of common-sense reforms. The movement to eliminate burdensome justice system fines and fees has emerged as one such cause, gaining support from policymakers across the political spectrum.
Making Children Pay The Hidden Cost to Kansas of Juvenile Fees and Fines
Kansas imposes a wide range of fines and fees on youth at nearly every point in the legal process. Using data from court records, state and county financial reports, previous …
Seizing the Safety Net: Collecting Criminal Justice Debt with Tax Refund Offsets
Focusing on Kansas as a case study, this report examines how federal and state governments seize income tax refunds to collect and pay off (“offset”) criminal justice debt. These tax …
From Barriers to Bridges: How Fines and Fees Reform Can Help Boost Economic Security
In Georgia, fines and fees imposed by state and local governments in the criminal legal system are a barrier to economic security. This report by the Georgia Budget and Policy …
Failure to Pay The Use of Debt-Based Carceral Sanctions and Warrants in Wisconsin’s Municipal Courts
Although municipal courts in Wisconsin do not enforce criminal penalties, many order the arrest and jailing of people for debt-based sanctions. Municipal courts use writs of commitment to authorize the …
The Conservative Case For Fines And Fees Reform
The current criminal and civil fine and fee system in the United States should concern conservatives. This report shows how this system violates four core conservative principles: individual freedom and …
Medical Debt Behind Bars The Punishing Impact of Copays, Fees, and Other Carceral Medical Debt
Early intervention is essential for improving health outcomes, but medical fees often prevent individuals from seeking timely treatment, leading to more severe health emergencies. This issue is especially problematic for …
How Fines and Fees Impact Family Well-Being
Fines and fees, imposed at every level of the criminal legal system, significantly affect the well-being of families. Using data from the Urban Institute’s 2023 Well-Being and Basic Needs Survey, …