court fines : NPR

The Two-Way

National Panel Advises Judges On People Who Can't Pay Court Fees

February 3, 2017 • Jurisdictions around the country are receiving guidelines that urge courts find alternatives to jail for defendants who can't pay fines linked to minor, nonviolent offenses such as traffic tickets.

Colorado Springs Will Stop Jailing People Too Poor To Pay Court Fines

Last year, the ACLU of Colorado discovered nearly 800 cases where people had gone to jail in Colorado Springs, Colo., when they couldn't pay their tickets for minor violations. Pictured above is Alamo Square Park, site of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. Michael Bullock/Getty images hide caption

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Michael Bullock/Getty images

The Two-Way

Colorado Springs Will Stop Jailing People Too Poor To Pay Court Fines

May 5, 2016 • The Colorado city and the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado have announced a settlement that will end the practice. The city will even give payouts to people who were wrongly sent to jail.

Colorado Springs Will Stop Jailing People Too Poor To Pay Court Fines

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Race

Community Divides Are Still Wide A Year Later In Ferguson

St. Louis Public Radio

August 7, 2015 • After Michael Brown's death, there was optimism about broad change within the city — and the St. Louis region. But a year later there's concern that the promised public policy push might never happen.

Community Divides Are Still Wide A Year Later In Ferguson

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The Two-Way

Study Finds The Poor Subject To Unfair Fines, Driver's License Suspensions

April 9, 2015 • The report says many of the police and court practices highlighted in a recent federal investigation into the Ferguson, Mo., police department occur in California as well.

Alabama Settlement Could Be Model For Handling Poor Defendants In Ferguson, Mo.

Sharnalle Mitchell (center) in Montgomery in May, after winning an injunction to stop the city from collecting court fines. With her (from left): attorney Alec Karakatsanis, fellow plaintiffs Lorenzo Brown and Tito Williams and attorney Matt Swerdlin. Courtesy of Alec Karakatsanis hide caption

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Courtesy of Alec Karakatsanis

The Two-Way

Alabama Settlement Could Be Model For Handling Poor Defendants In Ferguson, Mo.

November 20, 2014 • The city of Montgomery, Ala., was sued by a group of people who said they were jailed when they couldn't pay court fines and fees. Now the city has agreed to take steps to help those too poor to pay.