NAPD Public Resources

The NAPD's statement from May 2015 addresses the predatory collection of costs, fines, and fees in the U.S. criminal justice system, highlighting their disproportionate impact on poor individuals and people of color. It criticizes extreme collection methods and emphasizes the constitutional obligation for courts to assess a person's ability to pay before imposing financial penalties, advocating for reforms that treat fines as civil debts and eliminate excessive costs in the justice system.%0aThe document discusses the legal implications of collecting court costs and fines, stressing that individuals cannot be imprisoned for failing to pay civil debts. It argues against using contempt of court for debt collection and insists on fair treatment and constitutional rights for those facing financial obligations. The text calls for the elimination of monetary bonds and indigent defense fees, advocating for accessible diversion programs and reforms to prevent the criminalization of poverty.