Fines and Fees Justice Center
@finesandfeesjc.bsky.social
The Fines and Fees Justice Center (FFJC) is a national hub for research, advocacy, and collaboration for the reform of fines and fees.
Courts have long declined to apply constitutional limits to restitution. This classification opens the door for further constitutional scrutiny of the practices that have trapped far too many in unpayable restitution debt.
💡 Read the Court’s opinion: tinyurl.com/3m74zvme
💡 Read the Court’s opinion: tinyurl.com/3m74zvme
tinyurl.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Courts have long declined to apply constitutional limits to restitution. This classification opens the door for further constitutional scrutiny of the practices that have trapped far too many in unpayable restitution debt.
💡 Read the Court’s opinion: tinyurl.com/3m74zvme
💡 Read the Court’s opinion: tinyurl.com/3m74zvme
The US Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling in Ellingburg v. U.S. held that federal restitution is punishment. Though framed as an Ex Post Facto case, the Court’s reasoning undercuts the long held assumption that state-imposed & state-enforced restitution is merely compensatory.
February 2, 2026 at 3:30 PM
The US Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling in Ellingburg v. U.S. held that federal restitution is punishment. Though framed as an Ex Post Facto case, the Court’s reasoning undercuts the long held assumption that state-imposed & state-enforced restitution is merely compensatory.
Special thanks to our panelists Eve Hannan from UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law, Alexius Marcano from Coalition for the Homeless, Matt Alsdorf from Center for Effective Public Policy, and LVMPD’s Undersheriff Andrew Walsh, as well as our moderator, FFJC’s Leisa Moseley.
January 30, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Special thanks to our panelists Eve Hannan from UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law, Alexius Marcano from Coalition for the Homeless, Matt Alsdorf from Center for Effective Public Policy, and LVMPD’s Undersheriff Andrew Walsh, as well as our moderator, FFJC’s Leisa Moseley.
Why it’s worth a watch: Unjust fines & fees paired with enforcement-only policies are blocking true public safety. Experts in the legal, public health & law enforcement fields discussed how these policies impact vulnerable communities & explored proven, equitable alternatives.
January 30, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Why it’s worth a watch: Unjust fines & fees paired with enforcement-only policies are blocking true public safety. Experts in the legal, public health & law enforcement fields discussed how these policies impact vulnerable communities & explored proven, equitable alternatives.
Missed our panel, Serve & Protect or Curb & Collect? Watch the recording on YouTube!
We were joined by leaders across sectors to explore ways to rethink public safety, break the link between revenue & enforcement, & foster safer communities.
🎥 tinyurl.com/yc27rmvy
We were joined by leaders across sectors to explore ways to rethink public safety, break the link between revenue & enforcement, & foster safer communities.
🎥 tinyurl.com/yc27rmvy
YouTube
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
tinyurl.com
January 30, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Missed our panel, Serve & Protect or Curb & Collect? Watch the recording on YouTube!
We were joined by leaders across sectors to explore ways to rethink public safety, break the link between revenue & enforcement, & foster safer communities.
🎥 tinyurl.com/yc27rmvy
We were joined by leaders across sectors to explore ways to rethink public safety, break the link between revenue & enforcement, & foster safer communities.
🎥 tinyurl.com/yc27rmvy
By ending jury fees, counsel fees, & appellate fees, Arizona has an opportunity to strengthen communities and ensure equal access to the constitution.
🎬 tinyurl.com/2wa2nkx7
🎬 tinyurl.com/2wa2nkx7
YouTube
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
tinyurl.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:13 PM
By ending jury fees, counsel fees, & appellate fees, Arizona has an opportunity to strengthen communities and ensure equal access to the constitution.
🎬 tinyurl.com/2wa2nkx7
🎬 tinyurl.com/2wa2nkx7
As FFJC’s Emily King put it, “By eliminating counsel, jury, & appellate fees, we’re removing the paywall to justice, putting money back into the economy, & relieving the burden on families. #HB2265 highlights that constitutional rights are not commodities to be bought & sold.”
January 29, 2026 at 5:13 PM
As FFJC’s Emily King put it, “By eliminating counsel, jury, & appellate fees, we’re removing the paywall to justice, putting money back into the economy, & relieving the burden on families. #HB2265 highlights that constitutional rights are not commodities to be bought & sold.”
Reliance on fines and fees isn’t just bad economic policy — it undermines public safety & traps entire communities in debt. If passed into law, #HB2265 would end several fees that bar people from equal protection under law, including jury fees, counsel fees, & appellate fees.
January 29, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Reliance on fines and fees isn’t just bad economic policy — it undermines public safety & traps entire communities in debt. If passed into law, #HB2265 would end several fees that bar people from equal protection under law, including jury fees, counsel fees, & appellate fees.
Access to the constitutional rights guaranteed by the 6th amendment shouldn’t be blocked by a paywall. This legislative session, Arizona has a chance to restore what has become inaccessible for too many: access to the constitutional protections guaranteed to every American.
January 29, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Access to the constitutional rights guaranteed by the 6th amendment shouldn’t be blocked by a paywall. This legislative session, Arizona has a chance to restore what has become inaccessible for too many: access to the constitutional protections guaranteed to every American.
Fines & fees aren’t harmless penalties — they’re a debt trap that drains communities & harms public health. Join us TODAY to explore how we can rethink our current public safety model & build stronger, more equitable communities together.
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
January 27, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Fines & fees aren’t harmless penalties — they’re a debt trap that drains communities & harms public health. Join us TODAY to explore how we can rethink our current public safety model & build stronger, more equitable communities together.
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
Tomorrow, we’re diving into the ways fines & fees destabilize families, harm public health, & divert law enforcement resources. Join us as we explore bold, equitable public safety approaches & rethink a system that relies on punishment & extraction.
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
January 26, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Tomorrow, we’re diving into the ways fines & fees destabilize families, harm public health, & divert law enforcement resources. Join us as we explore bold, equitable public safety approaches & rethink a system that relies on punishment & extraction.
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
Instead of making us safer, America’s approach to public safety is failing our communities.
Join us on 1/27 for a timely panel exploring:
🔹 Why enforcement-only approaches fall short
🔹 How fines & fees fuel inequality
🔹 Fairer, proven approaches
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
Join us on 1/27 for a timely panel exploring:
🔹 Why enforcement-only approaches fall short
🔹 How fines & fees fuel inequality
🔹 Fairer, proven approaches
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
January 23, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Instead of making us safer, America’s approach to public safety is failing our communities.
Join us on 1/27 for a timely panel exploring:
🔹 Why enforcement-only approaches fall short
🔹 How fines & fees fuel inequality
🔹 Fairer, proven approaches
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
Join us on 1/27 for a timely panel exploring:
🔹 Why enforcement-only approaches fall short
🔹 How fines & fees fuel inequality
🔹 Fairer, proven approaches
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
📢 We’re Hiring! 📢
FFJC is seeking an organized, solutions-oriented Administrative Assistant to support our Senior Leadership Team. If you're an adaptable, strategic thinker with a passion for justice reform — we want to hear from you!
👉 Apply now: tinyurl.com/mwyvnu6y
FFJC is seeking an organized, solutions-oriented Administrative Assistant to support our Senior Leadership Team. If you're an adaptable, strategic thinker with a passion for justice reform — we want to hear from you!
👉 Apply now: tinyurl.com/mwyvnu6y
January 22, 2026 at 2:52 PM
📢 We’re Hiring! 📢
FFJC is seeking an organized, solutions-oriented Administrative Assistant to support our Senior Leadership Team. If you're an adaptable, strategic thinker with a passion for justice reform — we want to hear from you!
👉 Apply now: tinyurl.com/mwyvnu6y
FFJC is seeking an organized, solutions-oriented Administrative Assistant to support our Senior Leadership Team. If you're an adaptable, strategic thinker with a passion for justice reform — we want to hear from you!
👉 Apply now: tinyurl.com/mwyvnu6y
The voters have spoken: court debt should never decide who is #FreeToDrive. It’s time for Massachusetts to pass the #RoadToOpportunityAct — common-sense solution to expanding fairness, road safety, & opportunity.
💡 Learn more: tinyurl.com/4hc2e9b2
💡 Learn more: tinyurl.com/4hc2e9b2
Massachusetts Voters Overwhelmingly Support Passage of the Road to Opportunity Act
Polling Finds Broad, Bipartisan Support for Ending Debt-Based Driving Restrictions
tinyurl.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:17 PM
The voters have spoken: court debt should never decide who is #FreeToDrive. It’s time for Massachusetts to pass the #RoadToOpportunityAct — common-sense solution to expanding fairness, road safety, & opportunity.
💡 Learn more: tinyurl.com/4hc2e9b2
💡 Learn more: tinyurl.com/4hc2e9b2
The #RoadToOpportunityAct is a common-sense solution that would expand fairness, road safety, & opportunity by:
✅ Ending debt-based license suspensions
✅ Providing court debt notifications via text & email
✅ Allowing fee waivers for those facing financial hardship
✅ Ending debt-based license suspensions
✅ Providing court debt notifications via text & email
✅ Allowing fee waivers for those facing financial hardship
January 21, 2026 at 4:17 PM
The #RoadToOpportunityAct is a common-sense solution that would expand fairness, road safety, & opportunity by:
✅ Ending debt-based license suspensions
✅ Providing court debt notifications via text & email
✅ Allowing fee waivers for those facing financial hardship
✅ Ending debt-based license suspensions
✅ Providing court debt notifications via text & email
✅ Allowing fee waivers for those facing financial hardship
🚨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.
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.
January 21, 2026 at 4:17 PM
🚨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.
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.
Join us on 1/27 to help shape a better path forward. We’ll cover:
🔹 How enforcement-only policies harm public health & trust
🔹 How fines & fees hurt already vulnerable communities
🔹 Proven alternatives that center equity, health, and stability
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
🔹 How enforcement-only policies harm public health & trust
🔹 How fines & fees hurt already vulnerable communities
🔹 Proven alternatives that center equity, health, and stability
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
January 20, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Join us on 1/27 to help shape a better path forward. We’ll cover:
🔹 How enforcement-only policies harm public health & trust
🔹 How fines & fees hurt already vulnerable communities
🔹 Proven alternatives that center equity, health, and stability
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
🔹 How enforcement-only policies harm public health & trust
🔹 How fines & fees hurt already vulnerable communities
🔹 Proven alternatives that center equity, health, and stability
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
Rather than addressing the root causes of harm, our system’s overreliance on fines and fees drains resources, harms public health, & deepens inequality — especially for low-income communities and people of color.
It’s time for a new approach.
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
It’s time for a new approach.
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
January 20, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Rather than addressing the root causes of harm, our system’s overreliance on fines and fees drains resources, harms public health, & deepens inequality — especially for low-income communities and people of color.
It’s time for a new approach.
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
It’s time for a new approach.
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
Fines & fees fall heaviest on those who can least afford it, destabilizing communities, & harming public health.
Join us on 1/27 to explore solutions that center equity, fairness, & public safety without relying on punishment or wealth extraction.
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
Join us on 1/27 to explore solutions that center equity, fairness, & public safety without relying on punishment or wealth extraction.
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
January 16, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Fines & fees fall heaviest on those who can least afford it, destabilizing communities, & harming public health.
Join us on 1/27 to explore solutions that center equity, fairness, & public safety without relying on punishment or wealth extraction.
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
Join us on 1/27 to explore solutions that center equity, fairness, & public safety without relying on punishment or wealth extraction.
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
Iowa’s public defender fees are extreme, both in amount and the circumstances under which they’re levied. This ruling provides relief for some, but Iowa can’t claim victory while leaving families behind.
💡 More from @thegazette.com: tinyurl.com/tdsa7d65
💡 More from @thegazette.com: tinyurl.com/tdsa7d65
Low-income Iowans can't be billed for court costs when charges are dismissed
State courts in Iowa cannot bill low-income Iowans for the cost of their court-appointed defense attorney when criminal charges against the person have been dismissed, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled in ...
tinyurl.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Iowa’s public defender fees are extreme, both in amount and the circumstances under which they’re levied. This ruling provides relief for some, but Iowa can’t claim victory while leaving families behind.
💡 More from @thegazette.com: tinyurl.com/tdsa7d65
💡 More from @thegazette.com: tinyurl.com/tdsa7d65
The Court based its ruling on statutory grounds but failed to rule on the constitutionality of this practice. Its decision only applies moving forward, leaving Iowans already assessed public defender fees in dismissed cases in legal financial limbo despite never being convicted.
January 15, 2026 at 4:49 PM
The Court based its ruling on statutory grounds but failed to rule on the constitutionality of this practice. Its decision only applies moving forward, leaving Iowans already assessed public defender fees in dismissed cases in legal financial limbo despite never being convicted.
The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled that indigent Iowans can’t be charged public defender fees when charges are dismissed, but failed to address the constitutional concerns or debt relief raised in our joint amicus brief with @acluofiowa.bsky.social & @publicjustice.bsky.social.
👇 tinyurl.com/tdsa7d65
👇 tinyurl.com/tdsa7d65
January 15, 2026 at 4:49 PM
The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled that indigent Iowans can’t be charged public defender fees when charges are dismissed, but failed to address the constitutional concerns or debt relief raised in our joint amicus brief with @acluofiowa.bsky.social & @publicjustice.bsky.social.
👇 tinyurl.com/tdsa7d65
👇 tinyurl.com/tdsa7d65
Join us on 1/27 to help shape a better path forward.
This powerful panel will cover:
🔹 How the current approach harms public health & safety
🔹 How fines & fees harm already vulnerable communities
🔹 Equitable, evidence-based alternatives
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
This powerful panel will cover:
🔹 How the current approach harms public health & safety
🔹 How fines & fees harm already vulnerable communities
🔹 Equitable, evidence-based alternatives
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
January 14, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Join us on 1/27 to help shape a better path forward.
This powerful panel will cover:
🔹 How the current approach harms public health & safety
🔹 How fines & fees harm already vulnerable communities
🔹 Equitable, evidence-based alternatives
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
This powerful panel will cover:
🔹 How the current approach harms public health & safety
🔹 How fines & fees harm already vulnerable communities
🔹 Equitable, evidence-based alternatives
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
Enforcement-only public safety approaches are failing our communities.
Instead of making us safer, America's reliance on fines & fees drains police resources, harms public health, and destabilizes working families. It’s time for a new approach.
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
Instead of making us safer, America's reliance on fines & fees drains police resources, harms public health, and destabilizes working families. It’s time for a new approach.
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
January 14, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Enforcement-only public safety approaches are failing our communities.
Instead of making us safer, America's reliance on fines & fees drains police resources, harms public health, and destabilizes working families. It’s time for a new approach.
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
Instead of making us safer, America's reliance on fines & fees drains police resources, harms public health, and destabilizes working families. It’s time for a new approach.
👉 tinyurl.com/bdsbef7e
About half of all U.S. states have taken action against debt-based driver's license restrictions, restrictions that perpetuate cycles of poverty and hinder the efficacy of the justice system. Through The Road to Opportunity Act, Massachusetts has taken a step in the right direction.
As we enter 2026, many #Massachusetts families are feeling a serious financial strain. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐜𝐭 offers a concrete way for the legislature to help people who are trapped in cycles of debt. #mapoli #ProtectConsumers www.nclc.org/statement-of...
Statement of the Road to Opportunity Act Coalition on Favorable Report from Joint Transportation Committee
“We deeply appreciate the leadership of Senator Cyr and Chair Crighton in advancing this critical legislation."
www.nclc.org
January 12, 2026 at 8:59 PM
About half of all U.S. states have taken action against debt-based driver's license restrictions, restrictions that perpetuate cycles of poverty and hinder the efficacy of the justice system. Through The Road to Opportunity Act, Massachusetts has taken a step in the right direction.