California’s traffic fines are some of the steepest in the country, and a new report shows that the state’s current policies for those unable to pay are disproportionately affecting Blacks and Latinos.
News Story (California)
Tanasia Kenney
Atlanta Black Star
May 7, 2017
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
Tags: Court Debt, Driver's license suspension, Funding: Federal, Traffic Tickets
Organizations mentioned/involved: Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area (LCCR)
News Story (California)
Tanasia Kenney
Atlanta Black Star
May 7, 2017
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
Tags: Court Debt, Driver's license suspension, Funding: Federal, Traffic Tickets
Organizations mentioned/involved: Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area (LCCR)
DETAILS
The report, published by the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights last week, covers the most recent information on California’s traffic court system and highlights how its policies unfairly impact residents of low-income, nonwhite communities.
The consequences are often harsher for Californians who can’t afford to pay their traffic fines, including license suspension, arrest, jail time, wage garnishment, towing of their vehicles and even job loss, according to the report. In the end, affected drivers are forced to ante up even more cash just for being poor. Meanwhile, those who can afford to pay are let off with a slap on the wrist for the same minor traffic offenses.