2019 NLADA Annual Conference-Innovative Justice

Across the country, communities annually close gaps in their budgets by imposing fines and fees on individuals caught up in state and local justice systems. These hidden taxes have become key in the financing of state and local governments, but they are harmful and regressive. They exacerbate racial disparities, penalize people for being poor, undercut the integrity of the justice system, and prevent people from escaping poverty. Reform efforts are accelerating. But what are the best governmental policies and practices? Come contribute to the discussion as panelists and the full group consider strengths and weaknesses of approaches that include eliminating driver’s license suspensions for failure to pay court debt, making "inability to pay" hearings real, capping municipal revenue from fines and fees, relying on community service, requiring impact statements before adoption of new fines and fees, and more.