North Dakota HB 1417
North Dakota HB 1417 The North Dakota legislature enacted legislation repealing the authority to assess supervision fees. Previously, courts were permitted to order supervision costs and fees of not less …
Elimination of Fees
Press Release: New Mexico Gov. Lujan Grisham Signs Parole Fee Elimination Bill Into Law
New Law Removes Financial Barriers to Reintegration and Prioritizes Families’ Basic Needs SANTA FE, NM – Yesterday, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed SB 375 into law, a bill which eliminates …
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.
Eliminate justice-related fees and invest in Oklahoma’s justice system
Oklahoma’s reliance on court-imposed fines and fees as a funding mechanism for its criminal justice system disproportionately harms justice-involved individuals, especially those with low incomes. This approach places a significant …
A Matter of Time: The Case For Shortening Criminal Debt Collection Statutes of Limitations, A 50-State Survey
Legal financial obligations (LFO) can trap people in poverty and the legal system. When reducing the amount of debt people owe is not a viable option, reducing the length of …
Access to Justice Spotlight: Fines & Fees
In April 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, Office of Justice Programs, and Office for Access to Justice issued a revised Dear Colleague Letter, which detailed seven …
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 …
The Government Revenue, Recidivism, and Financial Health Effects of Criminal Fines and Fees
Beginning January 1st, 2014, Wisconsin imposed a $200 surcharge on misdemeanor defendants found guilty in the Milwaukee Circuit Court. This paper examines the economic impact of the mandatory surcharge and its …
Ten Principles of A Public Defense Delivery System
In 2002, the American Bar Association (ABA) adopted ten principles for policymakers, public defense administrators, and other stakeholders to assess their jurisdictions’ compliance with best practices for providing effective indigent …
New Jersey A5587: Eliminates fees, liens, and warrants issued for Public Defender services
New Jersey Mayor Phil Murphy signed a bill eliminating fees, liens, and warrants associated with public defender services in the state. The new law also applies retroactively to all unpaid …