Court Debt – Voices for Civil Justice

More than 7 million people may have lost driver’s licenses because of traffic debt

News Story (NATIONAL)

More than 7 million people may have lost driver’s licenses because of traffic debt

May 19, 2018 | Justin Wm. Moyer | Washington Post
The total number nationwide could be much higher based on the population of states that did not or could not provide data.
Tags: Court Debt | Driver's license suspension | Traffic Tickets

Court fees, restitution put people in dire straits after moving through criminal justice system researchers, lawyers say

News Story, Video (Alabama)

Court fees, restitution put people in dire straits after moving through criminal justice system researchers, lawyers say

May 18, 2018 | Courtney Crown | WHNT-TV (Huntsville, Alabama)
Court fees and restitution can make people feel desperate. On Saturday, May 19, researchers and attorneys are using a free legal clinic in Huntsville to meet the people in the throes of these money issues.
Tags: Court Debt | Criminal Justice | Fines and Fees

Some Americans Are Being Thrown Into Jail For Unpaid Debts

Interview (Maryland)

Some Americans Are Being Thrown Into Jail For Unpaid Debts

March 15, 2018 | Judith Ohikuare | Refinery29
How this tactic has evolved over time, what recourse impacted people have, and the importance of knowing your rights even in the midst of dire financial straits.
Tags: Court Debt | Debtors Prison

Report: 1 in 6 Va. drivers have suspended licenses partly due to unpaid court debt

News Story (Virginia)

Report: 1 in 6 Va. drivers have suspended licenses partly due to unpaid court debt

January 24, 2018 | Justin Wm. Moyer | Washington Post
About one in six Virginia drivers has a suspended license partly because of an inability to pay court debt, according to a study from an advocacy group released Wednesday.
Tags: Court Debt | Driver's license suspension

A Year After Reforms, Virginia Still Suspends Nearly 1 Million Driver’s Licenses For Court Debts

News Story (Virginia)

A Year After Reforms, Virginia Still Suspends Nearly 1 Million Driver’s Licenses For Court Debts

January 24, 2018 | CJ Ciaramella | Reason
That's one out of every six licensed drivers in the state.
Tags: Court Debt | Driver's license suspension

43 States Suspend Licenses for Unpaid Court Debt, But That Could Change

News Story (NATIONAL)

43 States Suspend Licenses for Unpaid Court Debt, But That Could Change

November 21, 2017 | Beth Schwartzapfel | Marshall Project
Lawsuits say the practice severely penalizes those too poor to pay.
Tags: Court Debt | Driver's license suspension

Fee shifting can help restore balance to rent court

Op-Ed (Maryland)

Fee shifting can help restore balance to rent court

October 16, 2017 | Joseph Mack | Baltimore Sun
The landlords rarely suffer significant consequences for allowing unsafe property conditions, and tenants frequently struggle to navigate the system even when their cases are strong.
Tags: Court Debt | Fines and Fees | Housing: Eviction