Report: Millions impacted by driver’s license suspensions due to court fees

The Legal Aid Justice Center has fought to have the “license-for-payment” system eradicated in Virginia, and in December 2016 filed a lawsuit against the Department of Motor Vehicles in to have the practice declared unconstitutional and the suspension of more than 900,000 Virginians’ licenses lifted.

In March, a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit for jurisdictional reasons, saying that “however meritorious” its claims may be, the suit should be taken to the state’s appellate courts “and, ultimately, the U.S. Supreme Court.” That decision is currently being appealed.