June 16, 2019 |
Associated Press (AP)
The eastern Oregon city of Pendleton has stopped jailing people unable to pay fines, a city official said, following the settlement of a federal lawsuit contending city officials were running a debtors' prison.
Tags: Debtors Prison | Fines and Fees
January 31, 2019 |
Donald W. Meyers
|
Yakima Herald-Republic (WA)
If a defendant can’t pay, he or she is usually assessed a mandatory $600 on top of whatever fines are assessed or restitution the court believes the defendant is capable of paying.
Tags: Courts | Debtors Prison | Fines and Fees
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
October 2, 2017 |
Julieta Martinelli
|
WPLN (Nashville Public Radio)
Over the last five years, 250,000 Tennesseans have lost the right to drive legally. That’s the result of an uncommon state law that makes license suspensions mandatory if drivers can’t afford to pay court fees and traffic fines.
Tags: Debtors Prison | Driver's license suspension
October 1, 2017 |
Colin Woodard
|
Portland Press Herald (Maine)
The group that for 50 years has helped low-income Mainers and ended archaic practices in the state now faces cuts to federal funds.
Tags: Debtors Prison
September 29, 2017 |
Niraj Warikoo
|
Detroit Free Press
The Legal Aid Justice Center analyzed the driver's license suspension polices of 50 states. Michigan's were among the five harshest.
Tags: Debtors Prison | Driver's license suspension