Debt in Texas: The Unintended Consequences of Government Fines and Fees

This two-part virtual event series explored how jurisdictions use court debt as a funding source, showed how these fines and fees disproportionately harm low-income communities and people of color, and encouraged collaborative action among grantmakers and other stakeholders to create a more equitable system.

1. Fines and Fees Overview
   • Thursday, Dec. 2, 10–11:30 a.m.
2. Punishing Poverty: Driver's License Suspensions
   • Thursday, Dec. 3, 10–11:30 a.m.

Agendas

Day 1: Fines and Fees Overview

This day provided an overview of fines and fees in Texas, the roles of different public officials in setting and collecting fines and fees, and the impact of unaffordable court debt on low-income Texans. View the recording.

10:00 a.m.	Introduction and welcome Karen Murrell, Asset Funders Network
10:05 a.m.	Fines and Fees: The Landscape in Texas Marc Levin, Texas Public Policy Foundation Lauren-Brooke Eisen, Brennan Center
10:35 a.m.	The Impact of Fines & Fees on Families Texas Fair Defense Project Client Spotlight
10:55 a.m.	The Role of the Courts in Fines & Fees Amanda Woog, Texas Fair Defense Project Judge Jeremy Brown, Harris County Justice of Peace Courts
11:25 a.m.	Closing: Summary and Preview of Next Session Emily Perlmeter, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Recommended reading:

• The Steep Costs of Criminal Justice Fees and Fines
• Set Up to Fail

Day 2: Punishing Poverty: Driver’s License Suspensions

This day honed in on driver’s license suspensions as a counterintuitive and overly punitive tool for collecting court debt and highlight solutions. View the recording.

10 a.m.	Introduction & Recap Roy C. Lopez, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
10:05 a.m.	The Impact of Driver’s License Suspensions Texas Fair Defense Project client video
10:07 a.m.	Driver’s License Suspensions and Work Opportunities Roy C. Lopez Christina Melton Crain, Unlocking Doors
10:32 a.m.	Working toward solutions Texas Fair Defense Project client video
10:35 a.m.	Working toward solutions: Texas Legislature Chris Harris, Texas Appleseed State Rep. James White (District 19)
11:05 a.m.	Working toward solutions: the Role of Philanthropy Don Baylor Jr., Annie E. Casey Foundation Juliene James, Arnold Ventures
11:25 a.m.	Closing: takeaways and next steps Annika Little, Asset Funders Network

Recommended reading:

• Reducing Reliance on Criminal Fines and Fees, Dallas County
• Justice and Safety over Profit: Fines and Fees Reform
• Pay or Stay

Coming Soon

We hope you will join us in February 2021 for the Debt in Texas conference on medical debt. Stay tuned for details and registration.

This series is made possible in part with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Charles Schwab Bank, Communities Foundation of Texas, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Texas Women’s Foundation. Thank you to contributing partners Texas Appleseed and the Texas Fair Defense Project.