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Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · 21h

1 in 3 Americans have carried court debt over the last 10 years, but reform is gaining momentum. This year alone, we helped end fees in 10 states. "It doesn't work, and it's
causing unbelievable harm. So that’s the next step — get rid of all the fees."

🔗 tinyurl.com/yh47ay46

Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · 21h

This isn’t just about individual harm. It’s about a justice system that prioritizes revenue over fairness & undermines local economies. “There is a lot more evidence that this is both bad economic policy in addition to the moral problems,” Joanna Weiss shared with @law360.bsky.social.

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Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · 21h

The Supreme Court has made it clear: people can’t be jailed over unpaid fines & fees unless their nonpayment is willful. But as FFJC Co-ED Joanna Weiss told @law360.bsky.social, “it happens every single day. All over this country, people are ending up in jail.”

🔗 tinyurl.com/yh47ay46

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Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · 2d

We’re proud to share that our Co-ED Priya Sarathy Jones is now a member of the Council on Criminal Justice! 🎉

By ensuring fines & fees remain a key part of the reform conversation, Priya will help the Council advance smart, comprehensive solutions that promote both safety & fairness for all.

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Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · 6d

Fines & fees disproportionately impact women, who are both more likely to be charged with fine-only offenses & less likely to be able to pay. For moms, that means lost income, family separation, & long-term instability.

It’s time to break the cycle.

💡 tinyurl.com/48ba6tvz

Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · 7d

In our latest blog, we break down how advocates can use #ImposingInstability insights to:
🔹 Investigate local fines & fees policies
🔹 Push for real, structural change

Courts won’t stop treating people like a revenue source until we take action. Here’s how:
💡 tinyurl.com/4jhxt2pj

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Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · 7d

Fines & fees aren’t just a burden, they’re a trap.

Nationwide, states are using the courts to squeeze revenue from the people least able to pay. This isn’t a glitch — it’s a choice that deepens inequality, drains resources, & destabilizes communities.

💡 tinyurl.com/4jhxt2pj

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Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · 12d

📢 Our panel, Serve & Protect or Curb & Collect, has been temporarily postponed.

We’ll be sharing a new date soon — and appreciate your understanding and continued support. Stay tuned! 💙

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Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · 14d

Governments shouldn’t bankrupt families to fund themselves. 🙅

In a new episode of @vanguardnewsgroup.bsky.social's Everyday Injustice podcast, we break down how fines and fees have turned our justice system into a revenue machine, prioritizing budgets over fairness.

🎧 tinyurl.com/4jpfxufn

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Reposted by Fines and Fees Justice Center

dharmalee3❌👑 @dharmalee3.bsky.social · Aug 27

Imposing Instability: How Court Fines and Fees Destabilize Government Budgets and Criminalize Those Who Cannot Pay - Fines and Fees Justice Center

In a first-of-its-kind report, the Fines and Fees Justice Center looks at the amount of criminal, juvenile, municipal, and traffic fines and fees imposed by courts nationwide and compares those ...

finesandfeesjusticecenter.org

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Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · 16d

We’re excited to share that @detroitjusticecen.bsky.social is hosting a public screening of #FinedOut — followed by two panels on how communities are fighting for reform.

📍LOVE Building – 4731 Grand River Ave. Detroit
⏰9/23 | 6 PM
🎟️ Free admission

🔗 Register today: finedout.com/events

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Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · 19d

“It’s essentially driving… financial hardship. When mom can’t buy food or diapers, it’s a problem,” said FFJC NM Dir., Monica Ault. With #SB375, NM is expanding opportunity, reducing recidivism, & supporting familial stability.

👇 Read more from @publicnewsservice.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/4usvnku3

NM's elimination of parole fees could reduce housing, food insecurity

Until recently, New Mexicans in trouble with the law could owe thousands of dollars in fines and fees, a roadblock to rehabilitation, according to a criminal justice advocacy group.The nonprofit

tinyurl.com

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Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · 19d

For thousands of New Mexicans leaving prison, monthly parole fees — ranging from $25 to $150 — were a major barrier to successful reintegration. But thanks to #SB375, returning citizens can look forward to a fresh start, free from parole fee debt.

👉 tinyurl.com/4usvnku3

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Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · 22d

Our latest blog breaks down how advocates can leverage insights from #ImposingInstability to:
🗺️ Map where these warrants are in use
📉 Expose inefficiencies
🗣️ Push for fairer alternatives

This is a policy that we can & must move away from. Here’s how:

💡 tinyurl.com/msewyk3j

Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · 22d

Bench warrants should never be used to collect debt.

In 5 years, 13 states issued 2.5 M warrants for unpaid fines & fees. This approach drains resources from communities, courts, & law enforcement — all to chase down court debt from people who can’t pay.

💡 tinyurl.com/msewyk3j

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Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · 27d

With 1 in 3 Americans burdened by court debt, reforming fines and fees can deliver some of the most wide-reaching change in our justice system.

⬇️ Read the full the guide, featuring insights from FFJC’s Co-Executive Director Joanna Weiss!

tinyurl.com/3ba2kn5f

Government-levied fines and fees reform

Reform fine and fees levels and address racial and economic disparities: While the compounding financial penalties and consequences of fines and fees can…

tinyurl.com

Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · 27d

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

Government-levied fines and fees reform

Reform fine and fees levels and address racial and economic disparities: While the compounding financial penalties and consequences of fines and fees can…

tinyurl.com

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Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · 28d

NM’s courts have the authority to waive old fee debt. “We’d love to see the court taking this action on their own,” said FFJC NM Dir. Monica Ault. “It would [help] close out a whole slew of cases that have just languished on their dockets.”

⬇️ @thenewmexican.bsky.social: tinyurl.com/25ah8fnf

Jailed for court debt: Unpaid traffic tickets still land New Mexicans behind bars

Court fee reforms in recent years have reshaped the assessment of such fees, but many people are still jailed statewide for failure to pay.

tinyurl.com

Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · 28d

After Ryan received his first speeding ticket, he remembers paying the $61 he was assessed in full, in cash, & in person. This July, he was arrested and jailed — all over $61 in *potentially outstanding* debt.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

🔗 @thenewmexican.bsky.social: tinyurl.com/25ah8fnf

Jailed for court debt: Unpaid traffic tickets still land New Mexicans behind bars

Court fee reforms in recent years have reshaped the assessment of such fees, but many people are still jailed statewide for failure to pay.

tinyurl.com

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Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · Sep 8

📢 We’re Hiring! 📢

FFJC is seeking a solutions-oriented #Operations Associate to help keep our systems running smoothly as we advance fines & fees reform. If you're organized, proactive, & passionate about economic justice — we want to hear from you!

👉 Apply now: tinyurl.com/5n7c2dbv

We're Hiring: Operations Associate - Fines and Fees Justice Center

POSITION SUMMARY The Fines & Fees Justice Center (FFJC) is seeking someone with strong organizational and administrative skills to join the team as an Operations Associate. This is an entry ...

tinyurl.com

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Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · Sep 4

We’re proud to stand with Right On Crime & @kypolicy.bsky.social in demanding a system that’s transparent, cost-effective, and built to serve Kentuckians, not burden them.

🔍 Read more via @thecourierjournal.bsky.social: tinyurl.com/bdcsc8fj

Kentucky's fines and fees system incarcerates the poor on the taxpayer's dime | Opinion

It's not uncommon in Kentucky for a traffic ticket to spiral into unmanageable fines and fees that land those who can't pay in modern debtor's prison.

tinyurl.com

Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · Sep 4

Data is key to reform. But in Kentucky, that data is often missing, incomplete, or withheld.

With the state spending 40¢+ to collect just $1 in fines & fees, there’s clearly a problem. But without transparency, lawmakers can’t fully grasp the harms of this broken system.

tinyurl.com/bdcsc8fj

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Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · Sep 3

Our new blog shows how to use insights from #ImposingInstability to:

🔍 Expose the instability of fine & fee revenue
🧑‍⚖️ Hold budget officials accountable
⚖️ Advocate to phase out fines & fees as a funding source

⬇️ Learn how we can end reliance on fees: tinyurl.com/2v59rbhk

Part 4 – Fines and Fees: A Risky Source of Revenue for Governments - Fines and Fees Justice Center

By Tanisha Pierrette, Senior Research Analyst & Lillian Patil, Senior Analyst, State & Local Budgets This is part 4 of our six-part blog series, Reforming the Revenue Machine: An Advocate’s ...

tinyurl.com

Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · Sep 3

Even as they charge more, courts collect less from fines & fees every year. 📉

From FY18–FY22, collections fell by 33% & didn't rebound post-COVID. This decline spells trouble for governments, whose reliance on fines & fees is both unjust & unsustainable.

💡 tinyurl.com/2v59rbhk

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Fines and Fees Justice Center @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · Sep 2

Beyond offering real relief to families, this bold move raises the bar for reform nationwide. Every state’s path will be unique, but NY has made it clear: ending justice fees is possible — and long overdue.

📖 Learn more about this win from our NY Strategist, Derrell Frazier: tinyurl.com/4ea342dy

No Price on Connection: How New York Made Prison Calls Free — And What Comes Next - Fines and Fees Justice Center

By Derrell Frazier, Senior Advocacy and Campaigns Strategist – New York On August 1, New York became the sixth state in the country to make all phone calls free within ...

tinyurl.com