New York’s justice system unfairly punishes people for being poor, placing the burden of government funding on those who can least afford it.
Every traffic ticket or criminal conviction in New York, no matter how minor, comes with mandatory fees and surcharges that can total hundreds of dollars. These fees, which have steadily increased over the years, offer no relief for those who cannot afford to pay them. Court fees were created solely to raise revenue, functioning as a regressive tax that disproportionately impacts low-income communities and people of color. This system of taxation-by-citation encourages policing for profit, extracts wealth from those living in poverty, and exposes Black and brown New Yorkers to more encounters with law enforcement. No one should face jail time or be denied opportunities simply because they cannot afford to pay a court fee.
The high cost of justice in New York:
$500M
1 in 4
$500M
1 in 4
Our No Price on Justice campaign fights to end the criminalization of poverty by:
Court fees are a regressive, unreliable source of revenue that fuels inequality and injustice.
New York’s reliance on court fees to fund government services is both unjust and ineffective. These fees act as a regressive tax, disproportionately affecting low-income communities and people of color. Despite the financial burden they impose, court fees are largely uncollectible, with collection rates as low as 18%. Over the past five years, revenue from these fees has dropped by nearly 50%, making them an unreliable funding source.
Moreover, harsh policing driven by the need to generate fines and fees does not lead to greater public safety. Instead, it exposes Black and brown New Yorkers to more potentially dangerous interactions with law enforcement.
The End Predatory Court Fees Act will eliminate these unjust practices, abolishing mandatory court surcharges, probation fees, and mandatory minimum fines. It will also end the incarceration of people for failing to pay fines or fees and prohibit the garnishment of commissary accounts for court debt. By passing this legislation, New York can ensure that no one is punished for being poor – and that there is No Price on Justice.
