Fines and Fees Justice Center

This election cycle, Missourians voted down a ballot measure that proposed funding law enforcement pensions through new court-imposed fines and fees. While retirement funds for sheriffs and prosecutors should be adequately funded, doing so with court fees is ineffective and can create a conflict of interest by incentivizing police to arrest more people. As FFJC’s National Advocacy & Campaigns Director Dylan Hayre shared with NPR in advance of the vote, “If you're a policymaker, what you're actually saying is, ‘I need a certain level of criminal activity or conduct or harm to happen because I, as a policy maker, am tethering financial payout for us as a state to those incidents.’” Learn more about why this ballot measure was rejected: https://lnkd.in/eyGUDNYM

We recently partnered with our friends at Policy Matters Ohio to present the Drive to Justice Summit. Moderated by FFJC's Midwest Regional Director, Anna Odegaard, the panel delved into the realities of license suspension in Ohio, exploring legal and legislative solutions, as well as the progress being made across the state through policy and advocacy efforts. As Bree Easterling from Policy Matters Ohio shared, "What we're addressing is a systemic issue that disproportionately affects Black and Brown Ohioans. You can't move forward without first addressing the harm that has been done." For more insights from Ohio, check out the full panel discussion ?? https://lnkd.in/evve5PHH

Overreliance on enforcement as a traffic safety strategy is not making U.S. roads safer. Traffic fatalities reached a 16-year high in 2021; and the United States has the worst traffic death rate among 29 high-income nations. An effective approach to traffic safety would result in decreased injuries and crashes. Even though the Department of Transportation has adopted a Safe System philosophy, the reporting requirements for federal grants often prioritize enforcement over prevention. With hundreds of millions of dollars in grant funding, DOT significantly shapes how state and municipal agencies prioritize traffic enforcement activities. It is critical that their guidance and Safe Systems approach prioritizes measures to prevent the inherent risk of unsafe driving into DOT grants. In our new white paper co-authored with Center for Policing Equity, we outline six key steps officials can take to truly improve safety outcomes. Read the full report ?? tinyurl.com/29asw7tc

When an Iowan needs a court-appointed lawyer, they’re often surprised to learn that their constitutionally guaranteed counsel isn’t necessarily free – even when they’re acquitted or the charges against them are dropped. While Iowa is not unique in charging a public defender fee, Iowa is certainly extreme in terms of the amount of fees, the circumstances in which those fees are levied, and its aggressive practice of billing poor defendants for court-appointed attorneys. "Courts cannot uphold a fair justice system if they are funding it on the backs of the most vulnerable people that come before them. To further extend this miscarriage of justice by enforcing it even when the case is dismissed sends a clear message that puts profit over people,” stated Lisa Foster, FFJC’s Co-Executive Director. This month, FFJC joined ACLU and Public Justice in filing an amicus brief arguing that the state’s fee practices are unconstitutionally vague and violate the presumption of innocence by applying financial sanctions against individuals who haven’t been convicted of a crime. Learn more ?? https://lnkd.in/edXhxVZZ

“We have to show up with the commitment to persevere even when the political winds change, even when the narrative of criminal justice dips and dives, we still show up and we keep going.” Our strength lies in the possibilities we unlock through solidarity with our coalition partners. Rooted in nonpartisan action, the reforms we’re advancing nationwide validate that progress is not only possible in this moment, but essential.?

Voters in several states are weighing in on how their state justice systems function this year. While court-imposed fees are common, linking police funding to court fees – as is being considered via ballot measures in Arizona and Missouri – could create a conflict of interest by incentivizing officers to arrest more people, FFJC National Advocacy and Campaigns Director Dylan Hayre explained to NPR. He continued, “If you're a policymaker, what you're actually saying is, ‘I need a certain level of criminal activity or conduct or harm to happen because I, as a policy maker, am tethering financial payout for us as a state to those incidents.’” Read the full piece here: https://lnkd.in/gSzhwDs9

?? New logo, same mission ?? So much has changed since we launched in 2018. From the size of our team to how we work, FFJC has grown from a strong belief into a bold force within the fines and fees movement. As we reflected on our journey, one thing was clear: it was time for a rebrand! Today, we’re excited to launch our new logo, designed to capture the spirit and strength of the fines and fees reform movement. Over the next few months, we’ll be launching a full rebrand. Aside from this lovely new logo and vibrant new brand colors, get ready for a new FFJC website, complete with a refreshed Clearinghouse! Stay tuned for what’s next!

We were honored to have FFJC’s Deputy Executive Director Priya Sarathy Jones deliver the keynote address at Safe and Just Michigan’s annual event. In addition to speaking about our progress thus far and where we see more opportunity for reform, Priya spoke to the history and current state of fines and fees. “This is not about accountability or punishment. It is about funding government,” shared Priya. “FFJC, with partial data from less than half the state’s reporting, was able to conclude that there is $27 billion in debt living with people who have been in the criminal justice system.” We advocate for a judicial process that heals rather than harms communities, and we’re thankful for the work our partners on the ground in Michigan are doing to help make that vision a reality.

Fines and fees are significant revenue sources for many localities in Georgia. However, when more than 10% of a locality’s revenue derives from these sources, it indicates an abusive reliance that can disproportionately impact low-income communities and people of color. Join our friends at the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute for an in-depth discussion about the excessive use of court fines & fees and their impact on Georgians experiencing poverty. Attendees will also learn how GBPI’s new interactive data dashboard can help assess the reliance on these revenue sources in communities across the state. Register today ?? bit.ly/gafinesfees

Nearly every interaction a person has with the justice system comes with a bill regardless of one’s innocence. From being arrested and navigating the court system, to being incarcerated and released back into society, our legal system is wrought with hidden fees. For millions of Americans, court debt overshadows every aspect of their and their families lives. As FFJC Co-Executive Director Joanna Weiss shared with The New York Times, “Court debt impacts more people and for a longer period of time than almost any other issue in the criminal justice system. It’s a lifelong punishment, and the consequences are felt by the entire family.” Court imposed fees are linked to increased recidivism and decreased public safety, and wreak havoc on communities nationwide. Check out the piece below to learn more about how hidden fees trap people in a cycle of punishment and poverty: https://lnkd.in/evNssNMF