Diversion Fees Archives - Fines and Fees Justice Center

The Fee Trap: Why Alabama’s Local Governments Can’t Shake Fines and Charges

Local governments in Alabama, constrained by the state’s constitutional limits on raising taxes, impose fees and general charges to fund services. As a result, lower-income people pay a more significant …

Diversion: A Hidden Key To Combating Racial And Ethnic Disparities In Juvenile Justice

Diverting youth from formal involvement in the juvenile justice system can lead to greater success in education and reduced recidivism. However, pre-arrest and pre-court diversion programs are underutilized in the …

Justice-Involved Individuals and the Consumer Financial Marketplace

Contact with the justice system can destabilize people’s financial situation. This report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau outlines the challenges justice-involved individuals and their families face due to predatory …

California AB 177: Public safety

The California Legislature introduced AB 177 which would end the collection of an additional 17 administrative fees charged to people who come into contact with the criminal system. The bill …

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 …

Financial Health and Criminal Justice: The Impacts of Involvement

The Financial Health Network surveyed 573 individuals about their own or a household member’s experience with the justice system to better understand the impacts on their financial health. Researchers surveyed …

The Price of Poverty in North Carolina’s Juvenile Justice System

To better understand the role of poverty in shaping outcomes in North Carolina’s juvenile justice system, the authors conducted interviews and surveyed attorneys, social workers, scholars and youth advocates. This …

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 …

Injustice in the Lowest Courts: How Municipal Courts Rob America’s Youth

In collaboration with the Juvenile Law Center, Columbia Law School’s Community Advocacy Lab examined the constitutions and laws of each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia to …

Paying on Probation: How Financial Sanctions Intersect with Probation to Target, Trap, and Punish People Who Cannot Pay

This report shows how payment of fines and fees and supervision costs can affect a person's ability to complete their probation sentence.