Rhode Island Judiciary – Superior Court and Traffic Tribunal
Program description
The primary goal of Rhode Island’s Court Debt Review Program is to address the burden that court costs place on the formerly incarcerated in re-establishing their life and allowing them to move forward. Court costs present a financial burden and obstacle for formerly incarcerated individuals – who encounter a variety of other challenges upon release. The program also addresses the court’s statutory obligation to provide defendants with an ability to pay hearing.
The initiative developed as a result of work by the Rhode Island Supreme Court’s Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts. The Committee was established in 2020 and member were appointed by Chief Justice Paul Suttell. It is chaired by Justice Melissa A. Long. With the assistance of community-partner organizations, including the Center for Health and Justice Transformation, Campus Reentry Program, and the United Way, the Committee went into the community in 2021 to offer forums with stakeholders with the goal of learning about the impact of court costs on formerly incarcerated individuals. Thereafter, the Committee worked with the Center for Health and Justice Transformation to hold the inaugural virtual court cost review and license restoration information hearings in November 2021 at the Nonviolence Institute. The work of Superior Court Associate Justice Luis Matos has been specifically appreciated in this space by colleagues and community partners alike. Since that time, eight additional virtual events have been held at various community centers.
Related outcomes
In November 2021, more than $360K in fines and fees were canceled resulting in at least 114 people free of court debt. To-date, the Rhode Island Superior and District Courts have remitted or eliminated more than $2 million in outstanding debt after conducting ability-to-pay hearings. Additionally, the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal has held multiple license restoration information sessions.
Tips for success
Locating the event in the community eased the power dynamic people often experience in court.
Additional resources on the Court Debt Review Program
Advancing Community Conversations: Court Debt Review from State Courts on Vimeo.