https://www.marketwatch.com/story/court-fines-and-fees-are-trapping-poor-people-in-a-cycle-of-escalating-debt-justice-department-warns-2508d922

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 1. Home
 2. Personal Finance

Court fines and fees are trapping poor people in 'a cycle of
escalating debt,' Justice Department warns

Published: April 24, 2023 at 1:07 p.m. ET
By

Emma Ockerman

Courts should review their local rules and procedures to ensure
they're constitutional and promote 'sound public policy,' Justice
Department says

[im-768958]

Kristen Clarke, the assistant attorney general for the civil-rights
division, said in a statement that "by confronting the harms that can
result from aggressive imposition of fines and fees, we can bring an
end to debtors' prisons and promote equal justice under law for all."

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

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The Justice Department urged state and local court systems in a
recent letter to re-examine their policies surrounding fines and
fees, emphasizing that "unjust" sanctions cause low-income people
"profound harm," leave communities of color drowning in prolonged
periods of debt, and even violate adults' and children's civil
rights. 

"The unfettered imposition of fines and fees across the country has
entrapped poor people, too many of whom are people of color, in a
cycle of escalating debt, unnecessary incarceration and
debilitating...
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