CJ 571 Midterm Essay(3)

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MET CJ 571 Midterm 1 Fines and Fees Justice Center Metropolitan College, Boston University MET CJ 571-Criminal Justice Administration & Ethics Course Instructor: Dr. Robert Cadigan Course Facilitator: Mark Napier June 5, 2023

MET CJ 571 Midterm 2 Introduction Fines and Fees are a central part of the criminal justice system. Across the nation, state and local governments impose fines as monetary punishments for infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies. The intent is to make violators and criminals pay for their actions and deter others from committing similar offenses (Teigen, 2020). However, many Civil Rights Organizations argue that such measures are discriminatory and have devastating financial impacts on Americans, particularly low-income families. One organization that denounces such practices is the Fines & Fees Justice Center, also known as FFJC. The organization asserted that research found that court fines and fees disproportionately affect low-income individuals, particularly communities of color (FFJC, 2023). FFJC Mission The Fines and Fees Justice movement's mission is to work with impacted communities, researchers, advocates, legislators, and criminal justice system stakeholders to promote a fair and equitable justice system. The organization operates nationwide and mainly focuses on eliminating unjust court fines on low-income defendants. According to FFCJ, court fines are unjustly imposed on poor people who, in part, face an array of consequences for failing to pay the penalties, such as additional fees, license suspensions, loss of voting rights, arrest, and jail, among others (FFCJ, 2023). FFCJ (2023) maintains that it strives to promote an equal justice system for all, where everyone, particularly underrepresented communities, is treated fairly. Fines and Fees Devastating Impacts on the Lives of Low-Income Offenders. FFCJ (2023) further states that court fines and fees affect low-income communities and people of color in several ways. First, these fines can deepen the economic situation of low-

MET CJ 571 Midterm 3 income individuals. They can cause more harm than good, creating a cycle of punishment and poverty. Second, those fines put people in perpetual debt and forced families to live in poverty. Others who cannot pay the fines may need to frequently go to court to explain the issue, which can negatively affect their employment. These individuals also face imprisonment and can lose their homes and children (FFJC, 2023). In simple terms, FFJC (2023) reasons that the movement encourages the criminal justice system to reexamine and reform court fines and fees because they have significantly impacted low-income defendants. FFCJ (2023) maintains these exorbitant court fees and fines are used to generate revenues to fund the criminal justice system at the expense of low-income offenders. In addition, FFCJ (2023) also raises concern over the purpose of those court fines and fees and the worry that the justice system is delivering justice based on economic status. The idea here is that two types of justice are being served, one for the wealthy and one for the poor. Teigen (2020) asserts that when punishment is determined by economic status, it questions the justice system's impartiality, fairness, and equality. It means that those who cannot afford to pay will be treated differently than those who can. Hence, FFCJ argues and demonstrates that imposing excessive fines and fees can have adverse outcomes on low-income communities, and such measures used by local and state governments as revenue generators undermine the integrity of the criminal justice system to provide equal justice for all. Initiatives launched by FFCJ, Free-to-Drive & End Justice Fees Furthermore, some of the initiatives the FFCJ has launched are free to drive and end justice fees. The free-to-drive campaign intends to raise awareness of the impact of driver’s license suspensions on Americans, particularly Black Americans. According to FFCJ (2023),

MET CJ 571 Midterm 4 many states have laws to suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew driver’s licenses due to unpaid court fines and fees related to tolls, traffic violations, misdemeanors, and felonies. The organization contends that driver’s license suspensions result in a cycle of poverty and punishment, causing individuals to make ends meet while figuring out how to pay debt-related driving restrictions (FFCJ, 2023). In different terms, the free-to-drive movement is meant to educate the stakeholders in the criminal justice system about the catastrophic effects of suspending people's driver's licenses. Indeed, FFCJ (2023) maintained that research showed that 86% of Americans drive to work, and most employers require a driver’s license to enter the workforce. In other words, people may struggle to go to work or find a job when they do not have an active driver’s license. Such an unfortunate circumstance limits people’s access to travel to places, leading to loss of income, a lack of economic growth, and not being able to make enough money to pay off debts. FFCJ (2023) also reports that debt-based license restrictions seriously affect people’s livelihoods and cut economic growth. In sum, FFCJ launched this free-to-drive campaign because driving suspensions create no public safety risks and cause unnecessary hardships for those with limited means. End Justice Fees Campaign Another initiative launched by the FFCJ is the end justice fees campaign, demanding to eliminate many required fees, such as traffic tickets, probation, and public offender fees, just to list a few, in the criminal justice system. According to FFCJ (2023), justice fees are hidden taxes that the governments charge defendants when they enter the criminal justice system. Whether you are guilty or innocent, these court fees must be paid (FFCJ, 2023). As previously stated, when these financial obligations are not immediately paid, it can lead to license suspension,

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