Debt-Free Justice
Youth who are involved in the justice system encounter many consequences, such as probation or out of home placement. One aspect of juvenile court involvement that can last well beyond childhood is the financial burden of juvenile court debt.
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MCL 712A.2F - Consent Calendar Case Fees
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​The court shall not order the youth or their parent/guardian to pay for costs associated with consent calendar services​​
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MCL 712A.18 - Disposition Order Fees
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Eliminates minimum state costs​
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Removes the ability for residential placement superintendents to be placed as "special guardians" and receive benefits for the care of the youth
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Youth and their parents/guardians are not responsible for costs of care, services, court-appointed representation, or other costs related to juvenile court proceedings
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Youth may not be placed outside their home solely on nonpayment or refusal to perform community services
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MCL 712A.18M - State Minimum Costs, Repealed
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MCL 712A.29 - Allocation of costs paid by a youth
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100% of money collected must go to victims payments​
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MCL 712A.29a - New Section
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Affirmative statement that the court shall not order a youth or their parent/guardian to reimburse the court for any fines, fees, or costs related to the youths court case​
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Beginning July 1, 2024, any outstanding balance is unenforceable and uncollectable
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Background
Juvenile court fines and fees can be assessed for a variety of reasons, including confinement, legal counsel and treatment. If the youth or family are unable to pay, money can be taken out of their wages or unemployment checks, and they can even be arrested. These fees remain on the record until paid, even if the youth is no longer under jurisdiction of the court.
Fines and fees do not always serve the cause of justice. The higher the fine or fee, the more likely it is that it won't be paid. Some youth may even waive their right to counsel or plead guilty because they cannot afford attorney fees. Youth of color are more likely to be adjudicated delinquent or placed outside the home than their white peers. As a result, they are more likely to be negatively impacted by court costs.
Early in 2020, the National Juvenile Defender Center conducted an assessment of juvenile defense, that included the use of fines and fees in Michigan. The graphic below was part of the report, highlighting the many ways in which fines and fees can impact a youth in the justice system.
Pending Legislation
Idaho
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A coalition of organizations including Idaho Justice Project, Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy, Idaho Voices for Children, and the Idaho Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers has been working to eliminate juvenile fees in Idaho. Learn more or join the campaign at info@debtfreejustice.org.
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Illinois
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Introduced HB 3412, this bill prohibits police from issuing citations and fines in schools for incidents that can be addressed through a school’s disciplinary process.
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Florida
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Introduced HB 1363/SB 1180, which removes provisions for fees for supervision costs for children, retroactively eliminates such charges, voids any connected warrants, and makes drivers’ licenses eligible for reinstatement where they were previously suspended for failure to pay such fees.
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South Carolina
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Introduced SB 278, which will prohibit charging children certain fees and eliminates fines.
Macomb County, MI
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Eliminated the assessment and collection of juvenile court fines and fees
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Discharged $84M in outstanding debts
The following is a list compiled by the Juvenile Law Center and can be found in its completion here.
California
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Passed SB 190, eliminating most juvenile court fines and fees. More than 30 counties have wiped out youth justice system debt.
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Washington State
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Passed the Year Act, state legislation that eliminated numerous diversion fees, court costs, appellate courts, adjudication fees, and certain fines.
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Nevada
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Passed AB 439, state legislation eliminating most fines and fees charged to families of system-involved youth as of July 1, 2019. This bill was passed unanimously by both houses and signed by the Governor.
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Ohio
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An Ohio juvenile court bench card issued by the Supreme Court of Ohio and the Ohio Judicial System instructs judges to presume young people are unable to pay fines and fees. The Delaware County, Ohio court ended the practice of charging young people detention fees.
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Philadelphia, PA
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Stopped billing families for the cost of detention.
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Dane County, Wisconsin
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Passed a budget amendment to stop billing families for detention.
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Orleans Parish, Louisiana
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Passed a resolution to end the practice of charging all discretionary juvenile court fines and fees, including several care and treatment fees, court fees, counsel fees, and probation fees.
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Beyond Fines and Fees:
A Youth Action Month Webinar
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In celebration of Youth Justice Action Month, MCYJ hosted Beyond Fines and Fees. The impacts of juvenile justice system fines and fees on youth and families were discussed from both state and national leadership working to advance debt free justice. Watch the full recording below.