Their Debt to Society: Criminal Justice Financial Obligations

Last year, the United States Department of Justice released the results of its investigation into the law enforcement practices of Ferguson, Missouri, and brought national attention to a municipal criminal justice system that was funded primarily by imposing fees and fines on the criminal defendants brought before it.  

Although it was the subject of the DOJ investigation, Ferguson is not unique. States and municipalities around the country increasingly rely on criminal fees and fines to fund local law enforcement and court systems.  

In this program, Erika Wood, Professor of Law at New York Law School, discusses the different categories of criminal justice-related financial obligations, the role these financial penalties play in criminal prosecution and defense, as well as their impact on successful rehabilitation and reentry. The program includes state-specific information for California, Florida, New York, Texas and Virginia. 

Learning Objectives:

I.     Understand the various categories of criminal justice financial obligations

II.    Become familiar with the Department of Justice's findings related to criminal justice financial obligations

III.   Appreciate the role financial obligations play in the criminal justice system

IV.   Recognize the impact financial obligations have on defendants within the criminal justice system and on successful reentry and rehabilitation

V.    Identify specific state policies and reforms related to criminal justice financial obligations