Counsel Fees Archives - Fines and Fees Justice Center

United States Department of Justice “Dear Colleague” Letter (revised and updated)

On April 20, 2023 the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, Office of Justice Programs, and Office for Access to Justice revised the 2016 Dear Colleague to include an updated discussion …

Roberts Webb et al. v. City of Maplewood

On March 6, 2023, a federal judge approved a $3.25 million settlement in this class-action lawsuit brought against the City of Maplewood, Missouri. The suit alleged that the City regularly …

At What Cost? Findings from an Examination into the Imposition of Public Defense System Fees

In the United States, there is a constitutional right to counsel for defendants who cannot afford a private attorney when facing a charge where, if convicted, they may lose their …

Colorado HB21-1315: Concerning eliminating certain monetary amounts a juvenile in the justice system is required to pay.

Colorado recently passed a bill that eliminates a number of costs and fees that a juvenile and their families were previously required to pay. The bill also discharges all outstanding …

Michigan House Bills No. 4987–4991

The Michigan legislature introduced a package of bills that would prohibit juvenile courts from assessing and collecting fines and fees from juveniles or their families. The bills eliminate diversion program …

Delaware HB 244: An act to amend the code relating to fines, fees, costs, assessments, and restitution

The Delaware legislature introduced a bill to eliminate a number of fines and fees including fines and costs in juvenile delinquency proceedings, the public defender fee, and the probation supervision …

The High Price of Using Justice Fines and Fees to Fund Government in Washington State

Fines and fees can cause severe and destabilizing harm for people required to pay them. Researchers from the Vera Institute of Justice collected and analyzed budget data from state, county, city and …

SB 898: Maryland Criminal Justice Debt Elimination and Prevention Act of 2021

The Maryland Criminal Justice Debt Elimination and Prevention Act of 2021 eliminates a number of criminal justice fines and fees. Key Provisions: The bill would eliminate the following fees: Court-related …

HB 1391: Elimination of Fines and Court-related Fees for Juveniles

This bill eliminates a number of fines and court related fees for juveniles. Key Provisions: Eliminates a number of fines and court related fees for juveniles including: Application fee for …

HB 183: An Act Relating to Children; Eliminating Certain Fines and Fees Relating to Certain Crimes Committed by Juveniles

This bill eliminates fines and administrative fees from the Delinquency Act within the Children’s Code. The bill also eliminates the $10 application fee for a public defender in Children’s Court. …