It's #Friday, which means it's time for *This Week in #FreeToDrive and #EndJusticeFees* — presenting to legislators in #NorthDakota, navigating the politics of state legislatures in a hectic election year, and preparing for some mid-session strategizing with our #conservative allies.

HB 774 to increase transparency in criminal justice costs passes House Members of the Kentucky House of Representatives voted to approve HB 774. The measure, sponsored by House Judiciary Committee Vice Chair Jennifer Decker, would increase transparency in Kentucky’s criminal justice

Understanding a problem is step one in figuring out how to address it. That's why this victory in #Kentucky - two years in the making - is such an important milestone for the #EndJusticeFees movement. Grateful to the allies who've been in this work from day one.

Here it is. The latest in *This Week is #FreeToDrive and #EndJusticeFees*.

#advocacylife #justice

If it's #Friday, it's time for "This Week in #FreeToDrive and #EndJusticeFees"!

This week: expanded fee elimination work with conservative allies in #Oklahoma, an alarming trend in automated traffic enforcement, and looking ahead to a convo with #Missouri partners about ending pretrial fees.

Looking back on the week that was... Here's the latest in *This Week in #FreeToDrive and #EndJusticeFees*

#advocacy #justice

Families are suing jails for banning in-person visits Jail policies against in-person visits are forcing families with loved ones inside to turn to costly phone or video calls

Cutting off visits isn't just neglect. It's exploitative. Revenue generation—malicious wealth extraction—dressed up as concern for incarcerated people and their families.

2.7 million kids who want to talk with mom or dad are the customer base for these predatory private companies. #EndJusticeFees

If it's #Friday, it's time for *This Week In #FreeToDrive and #EndJusticeFees.*

Progress in #Arizona. Challenges in #Ohio. Building blocks in #Wisconsin.

The #EndJusticeFees movement has helped shift the national conversation — with recent wins in Nevada including eliminating prison medical debt upon release, room and board fees, and commissary markups on hygiene projects.

This week in #FreeToDrive and #EndJusticeFees: building events with state partners, #Chicago making a bad choice, and getting ready to learn from some allies in #Minnesota. Let's go! #advocacy

Let's try this out. Each #Friday, I'll drop a video: 'This Week in #FreeToDrive & #EndJusticeFees'. I want to bring y'all into @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social two national campaigns. Share a little about what we're doing & why it matters. One plus, one delta, one thing I'm looking forward to. Let's go!

In Iowa, Prosecutors Want to Bring Back Court Fees as Bargaining Chips - Bolts Iowa's high court recently ended the practice of making defendants pay fees for charges that get dismissed. Prosecutors are backing legislation to undo the court’s ruling so they can keep using fees a...

I was a prosecutor. I negotiated pleas. I believed my ability to threaten economic harm was key to my power. Never stopping to ask why I had that power.

Iowa courts ended these fees. Prosecutors want them back. For the 2.3% collection rate? No. Just to cudgel people. #EndJusticeFees

@boltsmag.org👇🏽

Bill aims at removing criminal court fees for adults | Arizona Capitol Times With momentum from a successful effort to end select court fees levied on juveniles, lawmakers are looking to end certain costs for adult criminal defendants.

Putting your Constitutional rights behind a paywall. Prioritizing #revenue over #justice. It happens in states across the country. #Arizona can choose differently. House Bill 2265 will stop the practice of putting a price tag on #DueProcess. It will make history in the movement to #EndJusticeFees.

Hell yes. Thankfully, we've been making progress steadily for years.

26 states have rolled back or ended debt-based license suspensions. Dozens of states and localities have eliminated justice system fees.

Check us out ➡️ @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social!

#FreeToDrive #EndJusticeFees

Push made to eliminate mandatory court surcharges in New York State An advocacy group is more optimistic this year that a bill will pass, if Kathy Hochul is as serious as she says she is about reducing costs for New Yorkers.

In #NewYork, courts charge #fees that people can't afford to pay. Hit you with #fines without any concern about your personal economic situation. Lock you up just because you can't afford the mounting debt.

The solution? Pass the #EndPredatoryFeesAct. #EndJusticeFees

www.wgrz.com/article/news...

Emily King from @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social speaking TRUTH to #Virginia legislators about why using fees to fund victims services is wildly ineffective & harmful—to those who've been harmed & those who've done harm. They chose to advance the bill. Okay. Cool. We choose to fight back. #EndJusticeFees

🚨breaking news🚨 from @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social.

#Mississippi's HB 289 - attempted rollback of groundbreaking #FreeToDrive law: dead.

#Arizona's HB 2265 - potentially historic #EndJusticeFees legislation - passed unanimously out of committee.

Years of work. Big wins.

Onwards.

#Monday for the National #Advocacy Team at @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social is prepping: #EndJusticeFees testimony in #Arizona; kickass opposition statement to prevent #FreeToDrive rollbacks in #Mississippi; powerful speech to #NewYork legislators to support #EndPredatoryFeesAct.

So proud of this team.

Constitutional rights locked behind a paywall.

Can't afford a lawyer? Pay up.
Want a trial by jury? Pay up.
Want to appeal your conviction? Pay up.

#Arizona can end this. #HB2265 will eliminate these fees and end the paywall to #justice.

www.youtube.com/live/eDuzuHl...

#EndJusticeFees

No Price on Justice Advocacy Day

February 4. #Albany.

Many voices, one message.

It's time for #NewYork to join the movement to #EndJusticeFees - to work toward economic and racial #justice - and pass the #EndPredatoryFeesAct.

Come make your voice heard. Our time is now. Let's go! secure.everyaction.com/2FrIt20JpE6c...

In 2025, our #EndJusticeFees campaign turned bold advocacy into historic wins across the country. Together with our coalition, we made criminal legal fees and existing fee debt a thing of the past for thousands. Here’s what we accomplished: 👇

tinyurl.com/3wcfyr64

Despite major strides to #EndJusticeFees, Nevada keeps finding ways to charge incarcerated people & their families for basic needs. NV’s new tablet program, which costs $0.05/min & offers no subscription options, can cost families thousands every year.

💡 tinyurl.com/4jxsy4dk

OPINION: If you cannot afford an attorney … you’ll be charged for one anyway - The Nevada Independent OPINION: If you cannot afford an attorney … you’ll be charged for one anyway. Read more at The Nevada Independent.

NV has already made major strides in the fight to #EndJusticeFees — ending room & board fees, medical co-pays, & reducing commissary markups. With #SB120, NV takes another step towards a justice system that serves everyone — regardless of income.

💡More from @thenvindy.com: tinyurl.com/yjjhjbc8

Historic Court Fines, Fees Eliminations to Take Effect Welcome to Oklahoma's House of Representatives website!

This milestone in our campaign to #EndJusticeFees shows what’s possible when advocates, policymakers, & state leaders unite with resolve to build a legal system focused on delivering justice — not generating revenue.

🔗 Learn more about the new law: tinyurl.com/yn6c8njx

Stitt signs bills aimed at making justice system more fair Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

This bipartisan legislation represents a critical breakthrough in the movement to #EndJusticeFees — raising the bar for smart, sustainable policy for communities across the country.

🎥 Watch how this new law is removing barriers & restoring opportunity: tinyurl.com/4ynjm3s9

Press Release: Gov. Kevin Stitt holds Ceremonial Bill Signing for HB 1460, a Groundbreaking Law Ending Fees in Oklahoma - Fines and Fees Justice Center The broadest Republican-led fee elimination bill in history will improve the lives of millions of Oklahomans. Contact: Michael Paul Jackson, Fines and Fees Justice Center mjackson@finesandfeesjusticec...

This milestone moment in our national #EndJusticeFees campaign shows what’s possible when advocates, policymakers, & government leaders work across the aisle to build a justice system that serves everyone — not just those who can afford it.

💡 Learn more: tinyurl.com/3phrs4t3

Prisoners’ Phone Calls Will Soon Be Free in New York State The move will save the loved ones of the state’s more than 30,000 prisoners over $13 million a year, advocates say.

In becoming the sixth state to make prison phone calls free, NY takes a major step forward in the fight to #EndJusticeFees – and toward helping families stay connected, stable, & financially secure.

Learn more about this move – and the relief it will bring – from @nytimes.com: tinyurl.com/mvc5w26v

For criminal justice reforms, the legislative session was a mixed bag • Nevada Current Legislation discharging medical debt for people leaving prison and preventing courts from charging people fees for using a public defender passed this session. Attempts to authorize red light cameras ...

These victories in our fight to #EndJusticeFees show what’s possible when advocates, policymakers, and & communities unite to build a system that serves everyone – not just those who can afford it.

🔗 Read more about Nevada’s progress this session: tinyurl.com/3ytkxpf8

NV has already made major #FinesAndFees reform strides — most recently, by ending public defender fees & court debt payment plan fees. With #SB88, NV takes another step to #EndJusticeFees, and toward a future where debt from #FinesAndFees never blocks a second chance.