A new Fines, Fees, and Pretrial Practices 2.0 Resource Center can assist courts with reform efforts to lessen the impact of fines and fees on low-income communities.
Developed by the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), along with the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators Fines, Fees, and Pretrial Practices 2.0 Task Force, this online resource includes new and updated resources that show how courts are dismissing outdated minor municipal court cases (New Jersey), requiring ability-to-pay determinations at sentencing (Arizona), and enacting legislation to reduce or eliminate fees (Delaware).
“These reform efforts demonstrate how states can promote fair and equitable access to justice by effectively managing pretrial legal financial obligations and pretrial detention,” said Laurie Givens, vice president of NCSC’s Court Consulting Services and past task force co-chair.
Building on prior national work on fines, fees, and bail practices, a renewed 2024 effort—led by retired Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht and Tennessee State Court Administrator Michelle Long—focused on developing updated tools and materials, which include:
• Pretrial Reform Toolkit
• Ability to Pay Judicial Curriculum
• Updated Principles on Fines, Fees, and Pretrial Practices
• Interactive Map of State Court Reforms
• Case Studies
• Bench Cards
"The 2.0 Task Force's work provided an important update to the previous Task Force by including juvenile cases within its scope and providing courts with updated information about the landscape of reform," said Hecht. “We hope jurisdictions will utilize the resources and educational materials developed by the 2.0 Task Force to inform their efforts to reform how they manage fines, fees, and pretrial practices.”
Additions to the 2.0 Resource Center are expected. For the latest updates and resources, visit ncsc.org/finesfees.
Developed by the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), along with the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators Fines, Fees, and Pretrial Practices 2.0 Task Force, this online resource includes new and updated resources that show how courts are dismissing outdated minor municipal court cases (New Jersey), requiring ability-to-pay determinations at sentencing (Arizona), and enacting legislation to reduce or eliminate fees (Delaware).
“These reform efforts demonstrate how states can promote fair and equitable access to justice by effectively managing pretrial legal financial obligations and pretrial detention,” said Laurie Givens, vice president of NCSC’s Court Consulting Services and past task force co-chair.
Building on prior national work on fines, fees, and bail practices, a renewed 2024 effort—led by retired Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht and Tennessee State Court Administrator Michelle Long—focused on developing updated tools and materials, which include:
• Pretrial Reform Toolkit
• Ability to Pay Judicial Curriculum
• Updated Principles on Fines, Fees, and Pretrial Practices
• Interactive Map of State Court Reforms
• Case Studies
• Bench Cards
"The 2.0 Task Force's work provided an important update to the previous Task Force by including juvenile cases within its scope and providing courts with updated information about the landscape of reform," said Hecht. “We hope jurisdictions will utilize the resources and educational materials developed by the 2.0 Task Force to inform their efforts to reform how they manage fines, fees, and pretrial practices.”
Additions to the 2.0 Resource Center are expected. For the latest updates and resources, visit ncsc.org/finesfees.
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