More Than 7 Million Americans May Have Suspended Licenses for Unpaid Tickets and Court Fines
The practice traps the poor in a spiral of debt, hobbling their ability to pay off their fines.
Fines
Chicago Is Trying to Pay Down Its Debt by Impounding Innocent People's Cars
How a uniquely punitive city impound program combined with the drug war and asset forfeiture to deprive people of their vehicles for years at a time.
California's War on 'Economic Crimes' Sounds Like Something From Soviet Russia
A state senator wants to crack down on "economic crimes" in the state's underground economy.
California Wants to Fine You $500 for Washing Your Car With a Garden Hose
Proposed water restrictions will do little to solve the state's water woes.
City Demands $6,000 from Woman over Illegal Chickens
A municipal scheme with a private prosecution firm leads to outrageous fines in the California desert.
A Year After Reforms, Virginia Still Suspends Nearly 1 Million Driver's Licenses For Court Debts
That's one out of every six licensed drivers in the state.
This California City Is Threatening a Family Over Property Fines Sent to a Dead Woman at the Wrong Address
An already awful practice of trying to use code violations as a revenue stream gets truly grotesque.
Man Says He Was Choked Until He Pooped His Pants for Trying to Pay Parking Ticket With Pennies
No one is pettier than government.
Minor Violations Lead to Massive Prosecution Fees in Two California Desert Towns
A couple of busted windows can result in a bill for thousands-even tens of thousands-of dollars.
Miami Beach Commissioner: $20,000 Fines for Short-Term Rentals Are 'Grossly Disproportional'
But they're not excessive, she says.
Federal Judge Restores Drivers' Licenses to Two With Unpaid Traffic Tickets; May Be First Ruling of its Kind
Civil liberties groups say suspending drivers' licenses for unpaid court fines traps poor people in debt spiral. A federal judge appears to agree.
Florida Threatens Woman with Fines, Jail for Giving Diet Tips
Occupational licensing runs amok in a familiar story.
Chicago to Businesses: Did Licensed Contractors Hang Those Window Signs?
Classic protection racket enforced by city fines.
Chicago to Give Back Millions in Traffic Camera Fines
The latest setback for one of the most corrupt citation systems in the country
Plow Field, Pay Government $35 Million?
It's happening in California, where the case goes to penalty trial in August, if the Trump administration doesn't stop it before then.
Miami Targets Homeowners Who Opposed Airbnb Ban
In Miami's war on Airbnb, speaking up can make you a target. City manager says residents who spoke at hearing are now "on notice."
Florida Bill Would Stop Local Governments From Banning Airbnb
City commissioner frets that Airbnb users aren't paying "the tourist development tax" and other special taxes targeting visitors.
Virginia Governor Proposes Ending License Suspensions for Unpaid Court Fines
Hundreds of thousands of Virginians have suspended licenses for unpaid court fines, according to a class-action lawsuit.
ACLU Suit Aims to Stop Debtors' Prison in Texas Town
Group says Santa Fe tosses misdemeanor violators in jail if they can't pay-and starves them, too.
Loose Milk Crates: The Latest Enemy Standing Between Us and a Safe, Orderly Society
Florida Man arrested, sent to jail over a container attached to his bicycle.
Chicago's Awful Crackdown on Food Trucks
A pair of orchestrated hit pieces from media outlets has spurred the city to hand out massive fines.
Virginia Suspends Hundreds of Thousands of Driver's Licenses Due to Unpaid Court Debt
More than 900,000 people in Virginia have suspended licenses, in what a new class-action lawsuit claims is an unconstitutional revenue scheme.
Class Action Lawsuit over Automatic Driver's License Suspensions in Virginia
Virginia accused of having a "debtors prison" of its own
Rand Paul Covers Comprehensive Criminal Justice Reform in Debate Answer on Ferguson
Rand Paul gives Black Lives Matter policy agenda a substantive voice on the debate stage
Ferguson Thinks It May Have to Raise Taxes in Order to Stop Abusing Citizens
Deal in the works with the Department of Justice.
Lawsuit Targets Rapacious City Fine System in St. Louis Community
Tickets for not having curtains or screen doors used to fund government.
Self-Driving Cars Could Destroy Fine-Based City Government. What's the Downside?
Increasing automation limits the ability of authorities to profit off human error.
Arlington, Virginia, Seems to Think F-Bombs Are Actual Weapons
City increases fine for cursing in public.
How the DOJ Contributed to the Awful Ferguson Police Culture It Condemns
You know who else has a judicial system that is hard to fight and extracts money from citizens?
Chicago Meter Maids Stop for No One
Tucked behind the skeletal remains of a melted windshield wiper...
Centralized Policing Is the Wrong Solution
Elinor Ostrom and the case against centralization
Ferguson, Abusive Policing, and Racial Politics
The fatal police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown and its aftermath have once again brought the national spotlight on race relations.
