Victims support matters. Funding that support through #finesandfees is failed policy.
Excellent new essay from @rachelbarkow.bsky.social unpacks how '80s ideologies—defined by racist stereotypes and states' consistent push to minimize their responsibility—have failed everyone. Especially victims.
Making it (theoretically) easier for a formerly incarcerated person to pay #debt feels good. It's, at least, a recognition of the problem. Forgiving debt? Slightly better.
The best *and necessary* step? Eliminate the underlying drivers of debt in the first place.
#Ohio #bipartisan #finesandfees
Court debt shouldn’t follow someone for decades.
#VaLeg advanced a 10-year limit to give more people a real chance to move forward.
Read the statement ⤵️
#FinesAndFees
This session, #VaLeg is shaping the future of court #FinesAndFees.
These policies have a long history — and real consequences.
Our summary explains why that history should guide today’s votes:
The mom paying for calls to her incarcerated son instead of groceries for herself. The dad living houseless—he owes more in #finesandfees debt than he'll ever make. Families sacrificing basic needs.
$27.7 billion of harm. Why? Because the system prioritizes revenue over justice. @prisonpolicy.org👇🏽
vote board for HB16 (Price). Community service work in lieu of payment of fines and costs; work performed while incarcerated. Yes votes 10. No 0
House Bill 16 advances with strong bipartisan support 🎉
People who work while incarcerated earn pennies an hour. HB16 recognizes that work by crediting it at a meaningful rate toward court debt — reducing barriers before release and improving reentry.
#VaLeg #FinesAndFees
Vote board for HB660 (Maldonado). court fines and fees; waiver of fees for indigent defendant. Yes votes: 7. Nay votes: 3
House Bill 660 advances! ⚖️
Right now, many court costs are mandatory — even when they’ll never be collected.
HB660 would give judges the flexibility to assess fees more fairly and protect people who can’t afford to pay.
#VaLeg #FinesAndFees
Vote board for HB17 (Price). fines, costs, forfeitures, etc; collection fees, assessment against incarcerated defendant. 9 yes votes. 1 no.
House Bill 17 advances! 🎉
Sending debt to collections too early adds confusion — and fees as high as 35% in some localities.
HB17 would align the start of collections and interest at 180 days. More time. Less harm.
#VaLeg #FinesAndFees
Vote board for HB 268 (Hernandez). fines and costs; period of limitations on collection, deferred payment agreement. 8 yes votes. 0 nos
⚖️ House Bill 268 advances!
Right now, court debt can follow people in Virginia for decades — up to 60 years — even when making good-faith efforts to pay.
HB268 sets a 10-year limit.
Learn more at: bit.ly/shadow-of-debt
#VaLeg #FinesAndFees
Big day at the General Assembly 🎉 #VaLeg
Three #FinesAndFees bills advancing today — with strong and bipartisan support in some cases — would make Virginia’s court debt system fairer, clearer, and more effective... 🧵
🚨New survey: 78% of MA voters back the #RoadToOpportunityAct.
Every year, Massachusetts suspends thousands of licenses over unpaid #FinesAndFees. With 70% of Bay Staters commuting by car, many are forced to keep driving, risking more fees & arrest to care for their families.
Financial harm is a built-in feature of the U.S. #criminaljustice system. From #finesandfees to predatory banking practices, the system traps millions of people—and their families—in debt that lasts long after release.
Learn more in #CostofConviction: justuscc.org/costofconviction
#Virginia’s reliance on #FinesAndFees that perpetuate harm against Black Virginians is shaped by nearly 400 years of laws
Recognizing this history helps us reshape a fairer and more equitable future. #HonestHistory
🔗via @wric.com
Our latest report highlights Virginia’s history of shaping its laws to curb progress by and for Black communities.
These choices set the stage for today’s #FinesAndFees system, which continues to trap families in cycles of poverty.
#HonestHistory
Anyone fighting for #justice, #equity, and #economic fairness has to address the challenges of municipal courts. Honored to have been a part of this webinar series to discuss the role of these courts on #finesandfees. Gratitude to @anatapoff.bsky.social for your work bringing this issue to light. 🙏🏽
Results for America’s new strategy guide explores how #FinesAndFees reform can expand equity & economic mobility — & urges lawmakers to consider:
🔹 Waiving old court debt
🔹 Expunging minor offenses
🔹 Exploring alternative government funding sources
💡 tinyurl.com/3ba2kn5f
“We’re going to stop nickel & diming people," Gov. Stitt shared at the signing. Instead, Oklahoma, "will focus on accountability & rehabilitation — not on revenue collections.”
#HB1460 isn’t just a major win for Oklahomans, it’s proof of what real leadership on #FinesAndFees reform can achieve. 🧵
Thanks to impacted advocates like Frank, #SB88 Sponsor Senator Scheible, and our partners @returnstrongnv.bsky.social, Mass Liberation Project NV, & @aclunv.bsky.social, thousands of Nevadans now have a chance to rebuild without the burden of #FinesAndFees.
💡@reviewjournal.com: tinyurl.com/ycxmh2h7
Ending government reliance on #FinesAndFees isn’t just a matter of reform — it’s about fairness, fiscal responsibility, & restoring trust in our public institutions.
👇Learn how court fines & fees #ImposeInstability in a recent piece from @vanguardnewsgroup.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/yn5udr9a
Governments shouldn’t bankrupt families to bankroll themselves. 🙅
But in 5 years, 24 states imposed $14B in #FinesAndFees – often on those least able to pay. This approach has turned our courts into revenue machines that put budgets over fairness.
Kentucky is a minefield of #FinesAndFees that can lead to harsh consequences – including jail time – for people who can’t pay. A new report from @kypolicy.bsky.social exposes how this convoluted system drains vital resources from the communities that need them most. (1/2)
Federal funding helps power critical services – like keeping our justice system running & supporting groundbreaking research on issues like #FinesAndFees.
With massive cuts looming, this is a conversation none of us can afford to miss.
👇 Register now: tinyurl.com/4admbc6d
Lawmakers can deliver real relief by discharging old court debt. 💸
Clearing old #FinesAndFees debt isn’t just about financial relief – it reduces administrative costs, promotes economic stability, & lowers people’s risk of entanglement in the legal system.
💡tinyurl.com/3jt7kamj
Criminalizing debt doesn’t make us safer. 🙅
When courts issue bench warrants for unpaid #FinesAndFees, they fail to address the real issue: ability to pay. Bench warrants should *only* be used when public safety is at risk – not as a debt collection tool.
💡tinyurl.com/3jt7kamj
Even as incoming cases dropped by 20%, the imposition of #FinesAndFees increased by 3%. During these same five years, fines & fees collections dropped by 33% — and did not recover post-COVID.
💡Explore smarter alternatives in our new report, #ImposingInstability
tinyurl.com/3jt7kamj
📉 With court collections declining over the past 5 years, it’s clear that government reliance on #FinesAndFees isn’t just risky – it’s unsustainable.
📘 Head to our new report, #ImposingInstability, to explore smarter funding options for lawmakers to consider!
tinyurl.com/3jt7kamj
#FinesAndFees don’t just harm communities – they fail governments, too.
Families nationwide are drowning in court debt, while states & cities attempt to patch their budgets with this unstable, shrinking revenue stream.
It’s time for a new approach.
💡 tinyurl.com/3jt7kamj
💰In 24 states, $14 BILLION in #FinesAndFees has been piled onto people over the past 5 years.
Due to underreporting, outdated systems, & poor transparency, the real total is likely higher. On average, more than half of this debt comes from justice fees.
💡 tinyurl.com/3jt7kamj
The data is clear: fines and fees don’t deliver justice — they impose instability. ⛔
For decades, our state & local governments have relied on #FinesAndFees to fill budget gaps – extracting money from people drawn into our criminal, juvenile, traffic, and municipal courts. 🧵
Every year, Massachusetts suspends thousands of licenses solely over unpaid traffic, toll, & other #FinesAndFees. With 70% of Bay Staters commuting to work by car, many have no choice but to keep driving – risking more fees, arrest, & jail – just to provide for their families.
