Fees & Fines

Increasingly, communities attempt to finance the governmental costs by imposing new fees and fines -- "legal financial obligations" -- on people charged with crimes. Some of these assessments cover the costs of court operations and related service, but other "surcharges" seem designed to finance activities unrelated to the criminal justice system. The trend towards increased fees and fines places what is often additional debt on those who are emerging from prison; often this frustrates the community's own interest in successful re-integration. Through initiatives based in Florida and Maryland, the Brennan Center is uncovering the effects of this new generation of LFOs, and working to ensure that the costs of government are not unfairly shifted to those least able to shoulder them.
    Sentencing for Dollars: The Financial Consequences of a Criminal Conviction
    Alan Rosenthal and Marsha Weissman
    Repaying Debts
    Bureau of Justice Assistance
    The New York Bar Re-entry Report Chapter on Fees and Fines
    Special Committee on Collateral Consequences of Criminal Proceedings

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    CSG Issue Brief and Report on Criminal Financial Obligations
    Karen Imas and Rachel McLean – 01/25/08

    Rhode Island Family Life Center report
    The Family Life Center – 05/01/07

    This report recommends four central reforms to decrease unnecessary incarcerations for court debt.

    The Cost of Staying Out of Jail
    Kirsten D. Levingston – 04/02/06

    NY Times Op-Ed.