Updated resources promote fairness in fines, fees, and pretrial practices
January 22, 2025 -- A new Fines, Fees, and Pretrial Practices 2.0 Resource Center can assist courts with reform efforts to lessen the impact of fines and fees on low-income communities.
Developed by NCSC, along with the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators Fines, Fees, and Pretrial Practices 2.0 Task Force, this online resource includes new and updated resources that show how courts are dismissing outdated minor municipal court cases (New Jersey), requiring ability-to-pay determinations at sentencing (Arizona), and enacting legislation to reduce or eliminate fees (Delaware).
“These reform efforts demonstrate how states can promote fair and equitable access to justice by effectively managing pretrial legal financial obligations and pretrial detention,” said Laurie Givens, vice president of NCSC’s Court Consulting Services and past task force co-chair.
Advancing state reforms
Building on prior national work on fines, fees, and bail practices, a renewed 2024 effort—led by retired Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht and Tennessee State Court Administrator Michelle Long—focused on developing updated tools and materials, which include:
- Pretrial Reform Toolkit
- Ability to Pay Judicial Curriculum
- Updated Principles on Fines, Fees, and Pretrial Practices
- Interactive Map of State Court Reforms
- Case Studies
- Bench Cards
"The 2.0 Task Force's work provided an important update to the previous Task Force by including juvenile cases within its scope and providing courts with updated information about the landscape of reform," said Chief Justice Hecht. “We hope jurisdictions will utilize the resources and educational materials developed by the 2.0 Task Force to inform their efforts to reform how they manage fines, fees, and pretrial practices.”
Learn more
Watch the CCJ/COSCA Fines, Fees, and Pretrial Practices 2.0 Task Force webinar to learn more about the new and updated work products and reforms occurring in state courts.
Additions to the 2.0 Resource Center are expected, so be sure to check ncsc.org/finesfees for the latest updates and resources.
Technical assistance available for fines and fees amnesty events
Technical assistance is available to a limited number of courts to help them think through how to organize local events that resolve cases with uncollectable debts. These events allow individuals with outstanding legal financial obligations to appear before the court without fear of arrest or consequences to seek a reduction or waiver of fees.
Please contact Grace Spulak for more information.