Lisa Foster, FFJC

Co-Director of the Fines and Fees Justice Center (@finesandfeesjc).
Former Director of DOJ's Office for Access to Justice and former Calif. Superior Court Judge

[Lisa Foster, FFJC @LisaFoster_FFJC]

For our economy to prosper, policymakers must dramatically reduce reliance on fines & fees. Expecting the poorest among us to fill state & local budget gaps isn't just cruel — it’s impossible.

Thank you to @Cort_Sand @CenterOnBudget for co-authoring this crucial op-ed with me!

[Fines and Fees Justice Center @FinesandFeesJC]

NEW: Op-ed by @LisaFoster_FFJC & @Cort_Sand @CenterOnBudget ⬇️

The last recession provides an important lesson: Don’t try to solve budget problems on the backs of the people who can least afford it.
https://t.co/8xbyjIibaF

[Fines and Fees Justice Center @FinesandFeesJC]

New Yorkers are routinely forced to make an impossible choice: whether to buy food ... or pay NY's court fees.

Next Thursday, join the #NoPriceOnJustice campaign for a rally & press conference calling for passage of the End Predatory Court Fees Act. RSVP: https://t.co/DyF7eZPcAN

[Jessica Feierman @JessicaFeierman]

More research showing fees and fines in the justice system harm children. 15 states have abolished some or all such fees with many more bills already introduced this year. Let’s keep working for #debtfreejustice! https://t.co/SbGUzVlL9t

[Sarah Couture @MrsCouture217]

A contributing factor in the high # of uninsured drivers & the high cost of all Floridian's car insurance is the policy of suspending licenses for failure to pay criminal & traffic court debt. BOLO on a new report coming soon from @FinesandFeesJC that delves into this issue.

[Sarah Couture @MrsCouture217]

New study of FL data by @DrAlexPiquero @therealdrbags & @ktwolff11 shows kids who owe court fees(hidden taxes) have higher recidivism rates than those who aren't ordered to pay them. #EndFeesForKids #KidsShouldntBeTaxpayers https://t.co/tE4gJMgu5r

[Fines and Fees Justice Center @FinesandFeesJC]

A new study by @DrAlexPiquero @ktwolff11 @therealdrbags shows how fees imposed on kids increase recidivism & trap families in debt.

Of the $3.3 million assessed in 2021, only 13% was collected. Yet the financial & emotional costs to families are enormous.
https://t.co/YvouO6EuwY

[Lisa Foster, FFJC @LisaFoster_FFJC]

@traecrowder Who is this guy? I love him.

[Fines and Fees Justice Center @FinesandFeesJC]

"The cities & counties trying to use fines & fees to balance their budget are basically charging a backdoor tax to poor people." —@tonymess

Watch @iamwandasykes explain how fines & fees trap millions of people in a vicious cycle of punishment & poverty:
https://t.co/4a3USSZoX2

[Dan King 🇺🇦 @Kinger_DC]

.@IJ has a class action lawsuit against a judge who took thousands in donations from an ankle monitoring company & then routinely ordered people on house arrest w/ that brand of ankle monitor.

Glad to have orgs like FFJC fighting the good fight, too!
https://t.co/fDKe7LLk72

[Fines and Fees Justice Center @FinesandFeesJC]

Electronic monitoring fees—often administered by private for-profit companies—are among the most costly & least transparent of all fees in the justice system.

It's time to end these hidden taxes on the very people who can least afford it. #EndJusticeFees https://t.co/0olO7KZsOA

[Fines and Fees Justice Center @FinesandFeesJC]

In Texas, one million people can't renew their license simply due to court debt.

“We're struggling to not only pay this ticket—but also to have food on our table or to pay our rent or to get medicine,” said one woman who lost her freedom to legally drive. https://t.co/YyBVxUFec1

[Fines and Fees Justice Center @FinesandFeesJC]

FFJC's New Mexico staff conducted a statewide survey to gather data on New Mexicans’ experiences with fines & fees.

Among the findings: 80% of respondents report forgoing basic needs — including food & rent — to pay off court debt.

Learn more: https://t.co/TB619aobYs

[Fines and Fees Justice Center @FinesandFeesJC]

"Across the US, state & local governments use fines & fees as a revenue source. But reliance on taxation by citation is not only a threat to individual liberty, it can also undermine public safety and result in fiscal instability." @VittorioNastasi @reason
https://t.co/i53DFdAp1r

[Fines and Fees Justice Center @FinesandFeesJC]

New Mexico's Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved legislation yesterday to end debt-based license suspensions.

The status quo "really puts families in a very difficult position — you lose access to work and basic necessities," said @MonicaAult. https://t.co/hH938VndC8

[Joanna Weiss @joannagweiss]

NM Courts calling for end of justice fees and the terrible practice of funding government by those who can least afford it. #EndJusticeFees

[Monica Ault @MonicaAult]

Momentum is building to eliminate justice fees that harm our families, destabilize judicial budgets, and underfund government services. We are thrilled to support Chief Justice Bacon, the judiciary, and @MLaraCadena in this effort! @GovMLG

[Fines and Fees Justice Center @FinesandFeesJC]

In New Mexico Chief Justice Bacon's "State of the Judiciary" speech yesterday, she announced the state judiciary's support for fee elimination.

Eliminating fees "is a national best practice, which promotes budget transparency," said Chief Justice Bacon: https://t.co/1uu02l2gW6

[Joanna Weiss @joannagweiss]

Time to stop preying on the most vulnerable New Yorkers to fund our government. Court fees are trapping thousands of families in a cycle of debt and perpetual punishment and extracting wealth from communities that need investment.

[Fines and Fees Justice Center @FinesandFeesJC]

New York's regressive court fees are criminalizing poverty and trapping thousands of families in a vicious cycle of debt.

See why #NoPriceOnJustice advocates are urging state lawmakers to pass the End Predatory Court Fees Act in 2023: https://t.co/ZSN3sCYUTW

[Fines and Fees Justice Center @FinesandFeesJC]

This year, New Mexico could become the 24th state to end debt-based license suspensions.

"Taking away someone’s license if they can’t pay a fine doesn't encourage getting the fine paid. It just creates a crisis for their family," said @senatorwirth.
https://t.co/Qp9obVV27h