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.
Understanding the fiscal impact of fines & fees has never been more critical.
🗓️ Join us tomorrow at 1 PM ET for a webinar exploring how fiscal analysis can strengthen communities, help stabilize budgets, & drive meaningful fines & fees reform.
🔗 tinyurl.com/4embbv3y
🗓️ Join us tomorrow at 1 PM ET for a webinar exploring how fiscal analysis can strengthen communities, help stabilize budgets, & drive meaningful fines & fees reform.
🔗 tinyurl.com/4embbv3y
November 12, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Understanding the fiscal impact of fines & fees has never been more critical.
🗓️ Join us tomorrow at 1 PM ET for a webinar exploring how fiscal analysis can strengthen communities, help stabilize budgets, & drive meaningful fines & fees reform.
🔗 tinyurl.com/4embbv3y
🗓️ Join us tomorrow at 1 PM ET for a webinar exploring how fiscal analysis can strengthen communities, help stabilize budgets, & drive meaningful fines & fees reform.
🔗 tinyurl.com/4embbv3y
The FCC promised relief — instead, it’s levying a $215M tax on families with incarcerated loved ones.
If making money is more important than reform and reintegration, it’s not a justice system – it’s a business built on harm.
Learn more from @eji.org: tinyurl.com/5n8y4r6e
If making money is more important than reform and reintegration, it’s not a justice system – it’s a business built on harm.
Learn more from @eji.org: tinyurl.com/5n8y4r6e
November 7, 2025 at 8:19 PM
The FCC promised relief — instead, it’s levying a $215M tax on families with incarcerated loved ones.
If making money is more important than reform and reintegration, it’s not a justice system – it’s a business built on harm.
Learn more from @eji.org: tinyurl.com/5n8y4r6e
If making money is more important than reform and reintegration, it’s not a justice system – it’s a business built on harm.
Learn more from @eji.org: tinyurl.com/5n8y4r6e
🗓️ On 11/13, join FFJC’s Lillian Patil & @okpolicy.bsky.social’s Cole Allen for a timely discussion on:
👉 Real government costs of the status quo
👉 Navigating missing/unclear fiscal data
👉 Accounts of how budget-based advocacy has driven reform
🔗 Register today: tinyurl.com/4embbv3y
👉 Real government costs of the status quo
👉 Navigating missing/unclear fiscal data
👉 Accounts of how budget-based advocacy has driven reform
🔗 Register today: tinyurl.com/4embbv3y
November 6, 2025 at 4:58 PM
🗓️ On 11/13, join FFJC’s Lillian Patil & @okpolicy.bsky.social’s Cole Allen for a timely discussion on:
👉 Real government costs of the status quo
👉 Navigating missing/unclear fiscal data
👉 Accounts of how budget-based advocacy has driven reform
🔗 Register today: tinyurl.com/4embbv3y
👉 Real government costs of the status quo
👉 Navigating missing/unclear fiscal data
👉 Accounts of how budget-based advocacy has driven reform
🔗 Register today: tinyurl.com/4embbv3y
Across the country, governments rely on fines & fees to raise revenue — but chasing uncollectible debt drains resources & destabilizes communities. For advocates & policymakers, understanding the full fiscal impact of is key to driving reform.
🔗 Register today: tinyurl.com/4embbv3y
🔗 Register today: tinyurl.com/4embbv3y
November 6, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Across the country, governments rely on fines & fees to raise revenue — but chasing uncollectible debt drains resources & destabilizes communities. For advocates & policymakers, understanding the full fiscal impact of is key to driving reform.
🔗 Register today: tinyurl.com/4embbv3y
🔗 Register today: tinyurl.com/4embbv3y
A traffic ticket should never cost someone their livelihood.
On the latest @pdefenselesspod.bsky.social episode, FFJC’s Co-ED Joanna Weiss reflects on our work to end New Mexico's debt-based license suspensions — and shares how we’ve taken this model nationwide.
🎧 tinyurl.com/2x5zhy5d
On the latest @pdefenselesspod.bsky.social episode, FFJC’s Co-ED Joanna Weiss reflects on our work to end New Mexico's debt-based license suspensions — and shares how we’ve taken this model nationwide.
🎧 tinyurl.com/2x5zhy5d
November 5, 2025 at 8:06 PM
A traffic ticket should never cost someone their livelihood.
On the latest @pdefenselesspod.bsky.social episode, FFJC’s Co-ED Joanna Weiss reflects on our work to end New Mexico's debt-based license suspensions — and shares how we’ve taken this model nationwide.
🎧 tinyurl.com/2x5zhy5d
On the latest @pdefenselesspod.bsky.social episode, FFJC’s Co-ED Joanna Weiss reflects on our work to end New Mexico's debt-based license suspensions — and shares how we’ve taken this model nationwide.
🎧 tinyurl.com/2x5zhy5d
Maintaining the fines & fees status quo is harming families & governments alike.
🗓️ Join us on 11/13 at 1 PM ET for a timely conversation on leveraging fines & fees analysis to strengthen communities, help stabilize budgets, & drive meaningful reform.
🔗 tinyurl.com/4embbv3y
🗓️ Join us on 11/13 at 1 PM ET for a timely conversation on leveraging fines & fees analysis to strengthen communities, help stabilize budgets, & drive meaningful reform.
🔗 tinyurl.com/4embbv3y
November 3, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Maintaining the fines & fees status quo is harming families & governments alike.
🗓️ Join us on 11/13 at 1 PM ET for a timely conversation on leveraging fines & fees analysis to strengthen communities, help stabilize budgets, & drive meaningful reform.
🔗 tinyurl.com/4embbv3y
🗓️ Join us on 11/13 at 1 PM ET for a timely conversation on leveraging fines & fees analysis to strengthen communities, help stabilize budgets, & drive meaningful reform.
🔗 tinyurl.com/4embbv3y
Look Back: Worried about analyzing fiscal notes this session? You're not alone.
Check out our webinar to learn how to:
📖 Interpret fiscal notes
✍️ Understand the author’s methodology
⚖️ Challenge flawed fiscal notes to drive fines & fees reform
🎥 Watch now: tinyurl.com/4r383ftu
Check out our webinar to learn how to:
📖 Interpret fiscal notes
✍️ Understand the author’s methodology
⚖️ Challenge flawed fiscal notes to drive fines & fees reform
🎥 Watch now: tinyurl.com/4r383ftu
October 29, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Look Back: Worried about analyzing fiscal notes this session? You're not alone.
Check out our webinar to learn how to:
📖 Interpret fiscal notes
✍️ Understand the author’s methodology
⚖️ Challenge flawed fiscal notes to drive fines & fees reform
🎥 Watch now: tinyurl.com/4r383ftu
Check out our webinar to learn how to:
📖 Interpret fiscal notes
✍️ Understand the author’s methodology
⚖️ Challenge flawed fiscal notes to drive fines & fees reform
🎥 Watch now: tinyurl.com/4r383ftu
OK’s historic fee elimination law takes on 11/1, marking a major step toward fairness & opportunity.
Before #HB1460, too many Oklahomans found themselves trapped in court debt that drained household income, weakened the economy, & eroded public trust.
🔗 tinyurl.com/yn6c8njx
Before #HB1460, too many Oklahomans found themselves trapped in court debt that drained household income, weakened the economy, & eroded public trust.
🔗 tinyurl.com/yn6c8njx
October 28, 2025 at 4:23 PM
OK’s historic fee elimination law takes on 11/1, marking a major step toward fairness & opportunity.
Before #HB1460, too many Oklahomans found themselves trapped in court debt that drained household income, weakened the economy, & eroded public trust.
🔗 tinyurl.com/yn6c8njx
Before #HB1460, too many Oklahomans found themselves trapped in court debt that drained household income, weakened the economy, & eroded public trust.
🔗 tinyurl.com/yn6c8njx
Budget books tell a powerful story about fines and fees — if you know how to read them.
In our on-demand webinar, we break down how to:
📈 Decode dense budget documents
🔍 Spot where fines & fees show up
🏛️ Use that data to power your advocacy
🎥 tinyurl.com/2r8ex3y3
In our on-demand webinar, we break down how to:
📈 Decode dense budget documents
🔍 Spot where fines & fees show up
🏛️ Use that data to power your advocacy
🎥 tinyurl.com/2r8ex3y3
October 27, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Budget books tell a powerful story about fines and fees — if you know how to read them.
In our on-demand webinar, we break down how to:
📈 Decode dense budget documents
🔍 Spot where fines & fees show up
🏛️ Use that data to power your advocacy
🎥 tinyurl.com/2r8ex3y3
In our on-demand webinar, we break down how to:
📈 Decode dense budget documents
🔍 Spot where fines & fees show up
🏛️ Use that data to power your advocacy
🎥 tinyurl.com/2r8ex3y3
Session’s over, but the fight for reform isn’t. In last year's #TimelyTactics webinar, we explored how the budget shapes policy priorities, advocacy opportunities at every stage, and the pros & cons of using the budget cycle v. stand-alone legislation.
🎥 tinyurl.com/4ku7mkvp
🎥 tinyurl.com/4ku7mkvp
October 20, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Session’s over, but the fight for reform isn’t. In last year's #TimelyTactics webinar, we explored how the budget shapes policy priorities, advocacy opportunities at every stage, and the pros & cons of using the budget cycle v. stand-alone legislation.
🎥 tinyurl.com/4ku7mkvp
🎥 tinyurl.com/4ku7mkvp
Our justice system is supposed to be funded by everyone. But too often, low-income communities & communities of color are left paying the bill.
In #ImposingInstability, we found $14 BILLION in fines and fees imposed across 24 states in just 5 years.
🎧 tinyurl.com/4jpfxufn
In #ImposingInstability, we found $14 BILLION in fines and fees imposed across 24 states in just 5 years.
🎧 tinyurl.com/4jpfxufn
October 17, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Our justice system is supposed to be funded by everyone. But too often, low-income communities & communities of color are left paying the bill.
In #ImposingInstability, we found $14 BILLION in fines and fees imposed across 24 states in just 5 years.
🎧 tinyurl.com/4jpfxufn
In #ImposingInstability, we found $14 BILLION in fines and fees imposed across 24 states in just 5 years.
🎧 tinyurl.com/4jpfxufn
Virginia's fines & fees are pushing families to the edge & jeopardizing their basic needs. Virginians deserve better.
Join us at the #StrengtheningJusticeSummit to:
🤝 Connect with like-minded leaders
💬 Share lessons learned
🧭 Shape the next wave of reform
🔗 tinyurl.com/mr3ut52u
Join us at the #StrengtheningJusticeSummit to:
🤝 Connect with like-minded leaders
💬 Share lessons learned
🧭 Shape the next wave of reform
🔗 tinyurl.com/mr3ut52u
October 16, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Virginia's fines & fees are pushing families to the edge & jeopardizing their basic needs. Virginians deserve better.
Join us at the #StrengtheningJusticeSummit to:
🤝 Connect with like-minded leaders
💬 Share lessons learned
🧭 Shape the next wave of reform
🔗 tinyurl.com/mr3ut52u
Join us at the #StrengtheningJusticeSummit to:
🤝 Connect with like-minded leaders
💬 Share lessons learned
🧭 Shape the next wave of reform
🔗 tinyurl.com/mr3ut52u
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
🔗 tinyurl.com/yh47ay46
October 8, 2025 at 6:32 PM
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
🔗 tinyurl.com/yh47ay46
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.
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.
October 6, 2025 at 8:29 PM
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.
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.
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
It’s time to break the cycle.
💡 tinyurl.com/48ba6tvz
October 3, 2025 at 1:56 PM
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
It’s time to break the cycle.
💡 tinyurl.com/48ba6tvz
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
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
October 1, 2025 at 8:56 PM
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
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
📢 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! 💙
We’ll be sharing a new date soon — and appreciate your understanding and continued support. Stay tuned! 💙
September 26, 2025 at 6:14 PM
📢 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! 💙
We’ll be sharing a new date soon — and appreciate your understanding and continued support. Stay tuned! 💙
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
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
September 24, 2025 at 5:08 PM
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
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
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
📍LOVE Building – 4731 Grand River Ave. Detroit
⏰9/23 | 6 PM
🎟️ Free admission
🔗 Register today: finedout.com/events
September 22, 2025 at 5:07 PM
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
📍LOVE Building – 4731 Grand River Ave. Detroit
⏰9/23 | 6 PM
🎟️ Free admission
🔗 Register today: finedout.com/events
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
👉 tinyurl.com/4usvnku3
September 19, 2025 at 7:10 PM
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
👉 tinyurl.com/4usvnku3
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
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
September 17, 2025 at 1:19 PM
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
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
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
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
September 4, 2025 at 2:25 PM
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
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
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
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
September 3, 2025 at 4:11 PM
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
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
New York's recent move to make prison phone calls free will save families $13M every year!
For years, staying connected with a loved one behind bars posed impossible choices: groceries, rent, or a phone call? But now, those calls will come without a price tag.
🗽 tinyurl.com/4ea342dy
For years, staying connected with a loved one behind bars posed impossible choices: groceries, rent, or a phone call? But now, those calls will come without a price tag.
🗽 tinyurl.com/4ea342dy
September 2, 2025 at 6:57 PM
New York's recent move to make prison phone calls free will save families $13M every year!
For years, staying connected with a loved one behind bars posed impossible choices: groceries, rent, or a phone call? But now, those calls will come without a price tag.
🗽 tinyurl.com/4ea342dy
For years, staying connected with a loved one behind bars posed impossible choices: groceries, rent, or a phone call? But now, those calls will come without a price tag.
🗽 tinyurl.com/4ea342dy
Yesterday, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt hosted a ceremonial signing for #HB1460 – a new law that eliminates a wide range of fees that trapped Oklahomans in debt for years, from charges for electronic monitoring and indigent applications to district attorney fees, which judges can now waive. 🧵
August 27, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Yesterday, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt hosted a ceremonial signing for #HB1460 – a new law that eliminates a wide range of fees that trapped Oklahomans in debt for years, from charges for electronic monitoring and indigent applications to district attorney fees, which judges can now waive. 🧵