OWE COURT FEES?

Court fines and fees are another way our “justice” system criminalizes poverty. Across Tennessee, people face a variety of fines and fees imposed by the courts—ranging from court costs and restitution to fees for probation supervision, license reinstatement, and even the use of electronic monitoring devices. These costs can pile up quickly, creating a cycle of debt and punishment that disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable. Judges have the discretion to reduce or waive numerous fines and fees in Tennessee, yet this flexibility is rarely extended. Our justice system should work to rehabilitate, not penalize, those who are already facing financial hardship.