The Burden of Criminal Justice Debt in Alabama

Transcription

1 The Burden of Criminal Justice Debt in Alabama 24 Participant Self-Report Survey Foster Cook, Associate Professor and Director, UAB TASC

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3 For More Information Contact: Foster Cook 4 Beacon Parkway West Birmingham, Alabama 529 fcook@uab.edu

4 Contents In this Report:... State Sample... 2 Demographics... 2 Participating Counties... 2 Gender and Racial Distribution... 2 Level of Education... Employment... Children... 4 Annual Income Last Year Including Unemployed... 4 Quality of Life... 5 Housing... 5 Transportation... 6 Bank Account... 6 Fee Obligations... 7 Fees... 7 Misdemeanors... 7 Who is Paying and How?... 8 Paying on a Regular Basis... 8 Family and Friends... 8 Payday Loan... 9 Counties above state percentage... 9 Fees vs. Necessities... Number of People Forgoing Necessities... Crime as a Funding Source... Criminal Activities... 2 Penalties... Increased Payments... Jailed for n-payment... 4 Financial Overview... 6 County Variance: Income and Fee Ratios... 6 County Variance: Monthly Fee Rates... 7 County Variance: Estimated Time Spent with Criminal Justice Debt... 7 Summary: The Cycle... 8

5 Qualitative Data... 9 On Owing in Multiple Courts... 9 On Fines Increased Because of Falling Behind... 9 On Fees vs. Necessities... 9 On Employment/Unemployment... 2 On Transportation... 2 On Resources: Where do They Get the Money?... 2 On Trying to Pay... 2 Summary Results by Jurisdiction State of Alabama Sample: Part One... 2 State of Alabama Sample: Part Two Cherokee/DeKalb Sample: Part One Cherokee/DeKalb Sample: Part Two Dale Sample: Part One Dale Sample: Part Two Greene/Marengo/Sumpter Sample: Part One Greene/Marengo/Sumpter Sample: Part Two... Huntsville Sample: Part One... Huntsville Sample: Part Two... 2 Jefferson Sample: Part One... Jefferson Sample: Part Two... 4 Marshall Sample: Part One... 5 Marshall Sample: Part Two... 6 Mobile Sample: Part One... 7 Mobile Sample: Part Two... 8 Montgomery Sample: Part One... 9 Montgomery Sample: Part Two... 4 St. Clair Sample: Part One... 4 St. Clair Sample: Part Two Tuscaloosa Sample: Part One... 4 Tuscaloosa Sample: Part Two... 44

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7 The Burden of Criminal Justice Debt in Alabama 24 Participant Self-Report Survey Across the country the criminal justice system has increasingly looked to defendants to finance the courts and court related programs. In Alabama, the legislature has reduced funding for courts and court related services. To offset this loss, court costs and associated fees have risen. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the success of this approach and the impact of these policies in Alabama. With the general knowledge that increased court costs have not produced projected revenue, we sought to understand why by surveying defendants across the state. We thank the Community Corrections Directors in the counties represented, the staff that administered the surveys and the Alabama Department of Probation and Parole. Three goals of this study:. Explore the ability to pay question 2. Understand the dynamics of the collection process. Understand the consequences criminal justice debt has to: Defendants under court supervision The purposes of the justice system The public Recidivism Persons in the criminal justice system living in poverty Methods of this study:. This study was initially designed as an anonymous survey for Jefferson County/TASC, and Probation and Parole 2. Other Alabama counties expressed interest and participated in the study. Those populations have been combined in the following outcomes: a. counties b. 94 participants under supervision for a felony were surveyed 4. Primarily Quantitative: descriptive statistics 5. Secondarily Qualitative: comments recorded from the participants In this Report: This report contains overall survey results for participating counties in the state of Alabama. Data presented is both consolidated on the state level as well as extracted at the county level.

8 State Sample Demographics Participating Counties In 2, 94 participants were surveyed across thirteen different counties in the state of Alabama. All of these participants were actively involved in the criminal justice system N= Gender and Racial Distribution N= African American Alaskan Native Asian/ Pacific Islander Black/ West Indian Caucasian Latino/ Hispanic Native American Female Male Other

9 Level of Education Frequency Valid% Diploma /GED 45.5% College or beyond 9.8% College or beyond % Did not graduate high school % Diploma/GED % Did not graduate 4.8% n 95.% Missing 8 Total 94 Employment Unemployed 49% Full Time 8% Frequency Valid% Full Time 8 7.8% Part Time 2.5% Unemployed % Part Time % n 894.% Missing 49 Total 94

10 Children Over 4% of the overall sample reported having dependent children who live in their home. Frequency Valid % 59.5% 4.5% 8 4.5% % n 99.% Missing 4 Annual Income Last Year Including Unemployed Participants reported a median income of $8. and a mean income of $,894. annually. These figures include participants claiming zero income due to unemployment Total 94 N=

11 Quality of Life Housing Participants were asked: if housed, where are you living? with 9% of the overall sample reporting being housed (n=86). However, 9.4% of the housed reported living at someone else s residence, residential treatment, a halfway house, or other. Halfway House, % Residential Treatment, % Other, % Someone else s apartment, room, or house, 7% Own/rent apartment, room, or house, 6% Frequency Valid % Own/rent apartment, room, or house % Someone else s apartment, room, or house 8 6.8% Halfway House 6.7% Residential Treatment.2% Other 6.7% n 86.% Missing 8 Total 94 5

12 Transportation Over half of the participants reported not having a car, not having a drivers license, or not having automobile insurance. Do you have a car? Do you have a drivers license? Do you have auto insurance? N=9 N=94 N=98 5% 47% 54% 46% 56% 44% Bank Account Almost 2/ rds of the participants reported having no bank account 6% Frequency Valid % 29 6.% % 64% n 94.% Missing 29 Total 94 6

13 Fee Obligations All participants were paying supervision fees ranging from $5. to $5. a month. It is speculated the 9.5% that reported not currently owing fees is an artifact of the instrument interpretation (for example, fees paid up for that month, etc.) or the result of judicial fee waivers. Courts below are defined as felony, misdemeanor, child support, and other. Fees Do you owe court costs, fees, etc.? 9.5% N=929 In how many Courts do you owe fees? Two or more 2.% n=8 Misdemeanors 9.5% Do you owe for a misdemeanor as well as a felony (traffic offenses, etc.? N=92 One 67.9% If so, then in how many jurisdictions? n=65 4% Two or more 22% 6% One 78% 7

14 Who is Paying and How? Paying on a Regular Basis The majority of participants (6%) report paying on their court costs, fines, fees, etc. on a regular basis. Frequency Valid % % 7.% 6.% 2 7.% n 864.% Missing 79 Total 94 Family and Friends Participants were asked if they ever had to borrow money from family or friends to pay court costs, fines, fees, etc. Frequency Valid% 44.6% % % 55.4% n 92.% Missing 2 Total 94 8

15 Payday Loan Participants were asked if they had ever used a payday or title loan to pay court costs, fine, fees, etc. 6.% Frequency Valid% 8 6.% % 84.% n 86.% Missing 8 Counties above state percentage The following counties scored higher than the state percentage (6%) when participants were asked if they had used a payday or title loan to pay court costs, fines, fees, etc. Cherokee/ DeKalb 74% n=94 26% Huntsville 76% Total 94 n=29 24% Jefferson 8% n=9 9% Montgomery n=7 8% Tuscaloosa n=25 4% 82% 6% 9

16 Fees vs. Necessities Participants were asked if they d ever had to choose between paying the court and paying essentials. Over 6% stated that they had to make this choice. Frequency Valid% 9.7% 6.% % % n 94.% Missing Number of People Forgoing Necessities Of the participants having to choose between paying the court and paying necessities (n=569) the most frequent necessities that suffered non-payment were utilities, groceries and rent/mortgage payments. Many participants noted forgoing multiple necessities. Number of People Total

17 Crime as a Funding Source Participants were asked if they had ever committed a crime to pay court costs, fines, fees, etc. This percentage varied widely across counties from.8% to 4% depending upon who asked the question. In some counties, probation or community corrections officers conducted the interviews. Other counties used independent outside interviewers. 7.% Frequency Valid% 58 7.% 77 8.% n 928.% Missing 5 8.% Counties above state percentage The following counties used independent interviewers, not probation or community corrections officers. They scored higher than the state percentage (7%) when participants were asked if they had ever committed a crime to pay court costs, fines, fees, etc. Huntsville 69% n=29 % Jefferson 77% Total 94 n=88 2% Marshall 57% n=49 4% Montgomery n=9 Tuscaloosa n=2 42% 22% 58% 78%

18 Criminal Activities 7.% of statewide participants admitted to committing criminal activity to pay court costs, fines, fees, etc. The following subset includes those admitting to criminal activity as well as those that stated they had pondered it (n=6) as well. Of that percentage, selling drugs (56%) was the primary method. Pondered it 2% Gambling % Prostitution % Robbery 2% t Telling 9% Theft 9% Frequency Sell Drugs 56% Valid% Gambling 2.2% Prostitution 2.2% Robbery.9% Sell Drugs % Theft 8.6% t Telling 8.6% Pondered it.9% n 6.% Missing Total 94

19 Penalties Increased Payments Participants were asked if they ever had court costs, fines, fees, etc. increase because they fell behind in payments. 24.6% stated the court had increased their amount owed as a penalty. Frequency Valid% 24.6% % % 75.4% n 9.% Missing 42 Counties above state percentage The following counties scored higher than the state percentage (24.5%) when participants were asked if they had ever had court costs, fines, fees, etc. increase because they fell behind. 68% Jefferson n=82 2% Total 94 6% Marshall n=49 9% Montgomery n=8 Tuscaloosa n= 67% % 6% 7%

20 Jailed for n-payment Participants were asked if they ever had been jailed for failing to pay court costs, fines, fees, etc.. 7.9% stated the court had held them in jail as a penalty for non-payment. 7.9% Frequency Valid% % % 82.% n 9.% Missing 2 Total 94 Counties above state percentage The following counties scored higher than the state percentage (7.9%) when participants were asked if they had ever been jailed for non-payment. Jefferson 79% n=94 2% Marshall 7% n=49 6% Montgomery 78% n=8 22% St. Clair 78% 22% Tuscaloosa n=22 n= 8% 2% 4

21 Attributes of participants that report being jailed for non-payment The following is an analysis of the jailed for non-payment subsample (n=67) across other survey variables, targeting participants quality of life and ability to pay. The data would suggest the more impoverished the person, the more likely to be locked up for non-payment. Please note that whether the below attributes were present at the time of participants' incarceration is unknown. (Exception: the presence of a lawyer is tied specifically to the jailing event in question.) Attributes of Participants that Report being Jailed for n-payment Has used a payday or title loan to pay court costs 2.% Has at least one dependent child living with them 8.% Is unemployed Has had court costs increase because fell behind in payments Did not graduate High School/get their GED Has chosen between paying court and paying rent/mortgage Has chosen between paying court and paying for groceries Has chosen between paying court and paying utilities 47.% 52.5% 5.9% 6.% 64.2% 64.8% Has borrowed money from family or friends to pay court costs 68.% Does not have a driver's license 75.2% Does not have a bank account 76.5% lawyer present at time of incarceration Has chosen between paying court and paying essentials 77.2% 82.% 5

22 Financial Overview If paying, how much do you pay per month? Total amount owed in court costs, fines, restitution, etc. if not zero Cash access today How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs, etc.? Annual income last year if not zero Annual income last year including unemployed Median $75. $2. $ $,. $8,. Mean $4.6 $7,885.2 $ $5,5.7 $,894.4 Valid Missing County Variance: Income and Fee Ratios $25,. $2,. $5,. $,. $5,. Remaining amount owed vs. annual salary last year (median values) $. Remaining amount owed in court costs, fines, fees, restitution, etc. if not zero Annual income last year if not zero 6

23 County Variance: Monthly Fee Rates If paying, how much do you pay per month? (median values) n=569 $. $25. $25. $2. $5. $. $5. $5. $9.5 $5. $5. $. $5. $65. $55. $. $. County Variance: Estimated Time Spent with Criminal Justice Debt The following chart is an estimation of participant time owing court costs, fines, and fees. This is based on their reported months, thus far, and months they will have remaining if payments continue at the current rate Months Estimated amount of time spent in the system paying (median values) Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs? 7

24 Summary: The Cycle Increased financial burden is difficult in the context of rehabilitation. Court costs, fines, and fees overwhelm other obligations (utilities, medical expenses, etc.). This is of particular note as 4% of those surveyed statewide reported dependent children living in the home. Excessive court costs and fees generate more crime and more victims as demonstrated in the diagram below. Crime More Debt Prison More Crime Debt A significant percentage of the participants surveyed were persons living in poverty who experienced acute obstacles in the areas of debt, ability to earn money, transportation, support network, and penalties for non-payment including incarceration. Upon a closer examination of those reporting incarceration for non-payment, circumstances were more desperate, typically exceeding those noted in the non-incarcerated sampling. It was clear in our interviews that a lack of understanding or coordination among multiple agencies has produced a system of layered fees, duplication of supervision, and little uniformity. Competition between municipal courts (private probation) and state courts for funds, drug law statues, driver s license suspensions, and unregulated supervision fees have a dramatic impact on an individual s ability to pay routine court costs and successfully exit the criminal justice system. 8 Unresolved debt over extended periods of time (8 months in Jefferson County) prohibits defendants from moving forward with rehabilitation goals of employment, stable housing, getting a driver s license, and staying off drugs. Under current policies, the poorer the defendant the longer they are in the system and the more they pay.

25 Qualitative Data The following sections reflect a sampling of the comments offered by those interviewed regarding issues most important to them. On Owing in Multiple Courts By paying different sections of the courts, they don t realize you are probably paying each one separately which conflicts because no one is taking into consideration of how much money you are already paying to other court systems. Jefferson Lost job in June 2, have three children to support and take care of my sick grandmother. I have to pay two private probation offices. If I don t, I will go to jail. (Asked if she could just go to jail and serve the time and get this over with) Jefferson Difficult and frustrating and easy to fail. Tuscaloosa I wish I could get them misdemeanors off me. Jefferson On Fines Increased Because of Falling Behind The fees are way too high for the crimes and by the time you pay what you can afford barely any goes to the fine. Most of it goes to late fees you end up paying three times the amount owed. St. Clair So many fines, can t pay on all. I m late paying one because I m paying on another. It s a vicious cycle. I m now being sued by a payday loan because I cannot pay it back. Jefferson I think it s a bunch of crap. It s all about money, but I am going to do what I have to to keep my freedom. Tuscaloosa Everything seems to be a trap. Jefferson On Fees vs. Necessities My mom has to bring food home from where she works and do without to help me. I just got out of prison in December and my disability has not started back yet. Huntsville I have a fear of getting arrested because I can t make my payments. The city will give you 2+ days for not paying. Jefferson It s overwhelming, causes anxiety. I go to therapy because you are always scared they will be knocking at your door. I have started using because of the anxiety. Jefferson Going to the blood bank today to get gas money. Tuscaloosa You go to jail if you can t pay. I lost my apartment and got behind on bills. Jefferson 9

26 On Employment/Unemployment Makes me feel like less of a man because I cannot support my family. Jefferson I have five kids and get SSI. t able to work due to my medical condition. Mobile It is so hard to get a job because of my felony. If I could ever get a job, I could start paying. Jefferson I am a single mother of two. I m unemployed at this time because of a felony record, have been having a very hard time finding work. On the verge of being homeless with my children if I don t find work soon. I am hopeful that I will get myself out of this situation soon for the sake of my innocent kids. With God s help... Mobile On Transportation Can t get a license because of fees. I pay two probation fees. Jefferson It s difficult because I have to get someone to bring me and I work and go to school. Jefferson I spent 2 years in jail and got out and owe all this money. They pulled my driver s license, I have no home, and have to pay all this money. How do you expect me to pay? It is a Catch-22 can t work if you can t drive. Tuscaloosa You get stuck because once your license is suspended you can t register a vehicle, buy insurance or tag. If you get another ticket, it kicks you back further. Very stressful, just got married. Jefferson On Resources: Where do They Get the Money? Mom took out loans to help with court costs. Jefferson I borrow money from my brother, mother, and grandmother. Jefferson Criminal mischief. I took out student loans to pay on my case. Huntsville It s gonna take me over five years to pay the City of Birmingham/ Jefferson County. I am on disability and can t pay much. Jefferson Current situation is overbearing. It leads to further incarceration. It creates a number of problems in the community. Montgomery 2

27 On Trying to Pay I don t understand why court cost is usually more than the fine itself. Marshall Strain it gets stressful. Motivator got to have it to have my freedom. Everything else has to be put on the back burner to have freedom. Montgomery I just pay to get it over with. I have stage 4 cancer. Huntsville You have to respect the law, but it seems a lot for the offense. Huntsville I am going to pay everything I owe. Its just been hard. Mobile They get it when I get it. DeKalb/Cherokee I will owe when I leave this world. They come up with something new every day. I cannot get a loan. I will be paying until the day I die. The fees keep coming. The fees and fines are all they want. -Jefferson 2

28 Summary Results by Jurisdiction 22

29 State of Alabama Sample: Part One 94 participants Quality of Life/Ability to Earn Income 62% Are unemployed or under employed. 5% did not graduate high school 5% do not have a car 54% do not have a driver s license % 8 45 % African American Employment 8% Full Time Part Time Unemployed Alaskan Native Asian/ Pacific Islander N= Gender and Racial Distribution Black/ West Indian 4% Have dependent children in the home 7% live under someone else s roof $2. = cash access today Caucasian Annual Income Last Year Latino/ Hispanic Male Native American Female Other N=778 N=9 $8,. Annual median income last year including unemployed $,. Annual median income last year if employed 2

30 State of Alabama Sample: Part Two Fee Obligations 9% Owe fees, court costs, etc. 2% owe in more than one court 4% owe for misdemeanors 22% owe for misdemeanors in more than one jurisdiction Penalties 24 Months The median amount of time clients have been in the system paying 25% have had fees increase because they fell behind in payments 8% were jailed for non-payment 6% have had to choose between paying the court and paying necessities 6% Are paying on a regular basis 55% borrowed from family and friends 6% have used a payday loan to pay 7% admit to crime as a funding source $2,5. $2,. $,5. $,. $5. $. Median Court Obligations $75. Monthly Payment $2,. Remaining Owed Had Fees Increase for Has been Jailed for n-payment n-payment N=9 N= % Number of People Forgoing Necessities to Pay Fees, Costs, etc % , 82. % 5 5, 7.9 % 64 Estimated Timeline of Involvement 24 State How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs? Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total

31 Cherokee/DeKalb Sample: Part One 99 participants Quality of Life/Ability to Earn Income 57% Are unemployed or under employed. % did not graduate high school 7% do not have a car 7% do not have a driver s license 7% % Employment 4% African American n=99 Full Time Part Time Unemployed Gender and Racial Distribution Alaskan Native Caucasian Latino/ Hispanic 7% Have dependent children in the home 5% live under someone else s roof $6. = cash access today Annual Income Last Year Native American Male Other 2 n=97 Female n=7 $,. Annual median income last year including unemployed $,. Annual median income last year if employed 25

32 Cherokee/DeKalb Sample: Part Two Fee Obligations 64% Owe fees, court costs, fines, etc. 25% owe in more than one court 26% owe for misdemeanors 25% owe for misdemeanors in more than one jurisdiction Penalties 2 Months The median amount of time clients have been in the system paying 5% have had fees increase because they fell behind in payments 6% were jailed for non-payment 55% have had to choose between paying the court and paying necessities 8% Are paying on a regular basis 6% borrowed from family and friends 26% have used a payday loan to pay 6% admit to crime as a funding source $,6. $,4. $,2. $,. $8. $6. $4. $2. $. Median Court Obligations $5. Monthly Payment $,5. Remaining Owed Had Fees Increase for n-payment n= % Number of People Forgoing Necessities to Pay Fees, Costs, etc. 8 5% Has been Jailed for n-payment n=97, 84. % 6, 6. % 22 Estimated Timeline of Involvement 26 Cherokee/DeKalb How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs? Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total

33 Dale Sample: Part One participants Quality of Life/Ability to Earn Income 59% Are unemployed or under employed. 6% did not graduate high school 46% do not have a car 42% do not have a driver s license 5% Employment 9% 4% 4 n=2 Full Time Part Time Unemployed Gender and Racial Distribution 6% Have dependent children in the home 49% live under someone else s roof $5. = cash access today 4 Annual Income Last Year 2 5 Male 2 Female n=2 n= African American Caucasian $2,. Annual median income last year including unemployed $2,5. Annual median income last year if employed 27

34 Dale Sample: Part Two Fee Obligations Penalties 88% Owe fees, court costs, fines, etc. 7% owe in more than one court 24% owe for misdemeanors 6 Months The median amount of time clients have been in the system paying 2% have had fees increase because they fell behind in payments 2% were jailed for non-payment 24% have had to choose between paying the court and paying necessities 8% Are paying on a regular basis 4% borrowed from family and friends 9% have used a payday loan to pay $,6. $,4. $,2. $,. $8. $6. $4. $2. $. Median Court Obligations $9.5 Monthly Payment $,5. Remaining Owed Had Fees Increase for n-payment n= % Number of People Forgoing Necessities to Pay Fees, Costs, etc. 2% 2 6 Has been Jailed for n-payment n=, 88. %, 2. % Estimated Timeline of Involvement 28 Dale How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs? Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total

35 Greene/Marengo/Sumpter Sample: Part One 4 participants Quality of Life/Ability to Earn Income 7% Are unemployed or under employed. % did not graduate high school 62% do not have a car 59% do not have a driver s license 2% Have dependent children in the home 24% live under someone else s roof $2.5 = cash access today Annual Income Last Year n=7 6% Employment 27% % 2 24 Full Time Part Time African American n= Unemployed Gender and Racial Distribution n= Male Female 6 Caucasian $8,. Annual median income last year including unemployed $8,4. Annual median income last year if employed 29

36 Greene/Marengo/Sumpter Sample: Part Two Fee Obligations Penalties 7% Owe fees, court costs, fines, etc. 8% owe in more than one court % owe for misdemeanors 2 Months The median amount of time clients have been in the system paying 7% have had fees increase because they fell behind in payments % were jailed for non-payment 24% have had to choose between paying the court and paying necessities 56% Are paying on a regular basis 4% borrowed from family and friends % have used a payday loan to pay 6% admit to crime as a funding source $2,. $,5. $,. $5. $. Median Court Obligations $5. Monthly Payment $,75. Remaining Owed Had Fees Increase for n-payment n=29 7% % Number of People Forgoing Necessities to Pay Fees, Costs, etc. Has been Jailed for n-payment n= 4, 9. %,. % 2 2 Estimated Timeline of Involvement G/M/S How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs? Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total

37 Huntsville Sample: Part One 29 participants Quality of Life/Ability to Earn Income 62% Are unemployed or under employed. 28% did not graduate high school 45% do not have a car 52% do not have a driver s license 4% 5 2% Employment 8% 2 n=29 Full Time Part Time Unemployed Gender and Racial Distribution 8% Have dependent children in the home 59% live under someone else s roof $8. = cash access today 4 Annual Income Last Year Male Female n=29 2 n= African American Caucasian Latino/ Hispanic Other $6,. Annual median income last year including unemployed $5,. Annual median income last year if employed

38 Huntsville Sample: Part Two Fee Obligations Penalties % Owe fees, court costs, fines, etc. 2% owe in more than one court % owe for misdemeanors 6 Months The median amount of time clients have been in the system paying 25% have had fees increase because they fell behind in payments 4% were jailed for non-payment 72% have had to choose between paying the court and paying necessities 79% Are paying on a regular basis 72% borrowed from family and friends 24% have used a payday loan to pay % admit to crime as a funding source $5,. $4,. $,. $2,. Median Court Obligations $4,. Had Fees Increase for n-payment n= % Number of People Forgoing Necessities to Pay Fees, Costs, etc % Has been Jailed for n-payment n=29, 86. % 6, 4. % 9 5 $,. $. $25. Monthly Payment Remaining Owed Estimated Timeline of Involvement 2 Huntsville How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs? Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total

39 Jefferson Sample: Part One 94 participants Quality of Life/Ability to Earn Income 68% Are unemployed or under employed. % did not graduate high school 52% do not have a car 6% do not have a driver s license % Employment % 5% n=62 Full Time Part Time Unemployed Gender and Racial Distribution 5% Have dependent children in the home 47% live under someone else s roof $2. = cash access today Annual Income Last Year Male 5 59 African American Black/West Indian Caucasian Latino/ Hispanic Other Female n=72 n=9 $7,2. Annual median income last year including unemployed $,. Annual median income last year if employed

40 Jefferson Sample: Part Two Fee Obligations 95% Owe fees, court costs, fines, etc. 45% owe in more than one court 45% owe for misdemeanors 22% owe for misdemeanors in more than one jurisdiction Penalties 24 Months The median amount of time clients have been in the system paying 2% have had fees increase because they fell behind in payments 2% were jailed for non-payment 65% have had to choose between paying the court and paying necessities 6% Are paying on a regular basis 6% borrowed from family and friends 2% have used a payday loan to pay 2% admit to crime as a funding source $,5. $,. $2,5. $2,. $,5. $,. $5. $. Median Court Obligations $5. Monthly Payment $,. Remaining Owed Had Fees Increase for n-payment n=82 68% Number of People Forgoing Necessities to Pay Fees, Costs, etc % Has been Jailed for n-payment n=94, 79. % 56 69, 2. % 7 Estimated Timeline of Involvement 4 Jefferson How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs? Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total

41 Marshall Sample: Part One 5 participants Quality of Life/Ability to Earn Income 57% Did not graduate high school. 67% do not have a car 67% do not have a driver s license 4% Have dependent children in the home $5. = cash access today Annual Income Last Year n=48 2% 98% 6 4 Employment* 8 n= Full Time 6 4 Unemployed 5 Gender and Racial Distribution n=5 Male Female 2 Caucasian Latino/ Hispanic $,5.* Annual median income last year including unemployed $,. Annual median income last year if employed 5 *All subjects from Marshall County are part of a work release program. This skews any unemployment data.

42 Marshall Sample: Part Two Fee Obligations 98% Owe fees, court costs, fines, etc. 58% owe in more than one court 67% owe for misdemeanors 5% owe for misdemeanors in more than one jurisdiction Penalties 24 Months The median amount of time clients have been in the system paying 9% have had fees increase because they fell behind in payments 6% were jailed for non-payment 76% have had to choose between paying the court and paying necessities 84% Are paying on a regular basis % borrowed from family and friends 4% have used a payday loan to pay 4% admit to crime as a funding source $6,. $5,. $4,. $,. $2,. $,. $. Median Court Obligations $. Monthly Payment $5,75. Remaining Owed Had Fees Increase for n-payment n=49 6% 9% Has been Jailed for n-payment n=49, 7. %, 6. % Number of People Forgoing Necessities to Pay Fees, Costs, etc Estimated Timeline of Involvement 6 Marshall How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs? Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total

43 Mobile Sample: Part One 2 participants Quality of Life/Ability to Earn Income 7% Are unemployed or under employed. 5% did not graduate high school 6% do not have a car 5% do not have a driver s license 5 57% 5 2 Employment % African American 2% Asian/ Pacific Islander n=22 Full Time Part Time Unemployed Gender and Racial Distribution Black/ West Indian 52% Have dependent children in the home 2% live under someone else s roof $2. = cash access today Caucasian Annual Income Last Year Native American Male Female Other n=55 n=225 $9,. Annual median income last year including unemployed $2,72. Annual median income last year if employed 7

44 Mobile Sample: Part Two Fee Obligations Penalties 9% Owe fees, court costs, fines, etc. 7% owe in more than one court % owe for misdemeanors 2 Months The median amount of time clients have been in the system paying 5% have had fees increase because they fell behind in payments 5% were jailed for non-payment 56% have had to choose between paying the court and paying necessities 5% Are paying on a regular basis 5% borrowed from family and friends 6% have used a payday loan to pay 2% admit to crime as a funding source $,6. $,4. $,2. $,. $8. $6. $4. $2. $. Median Court Obligations $5. Monthly Payment $,5. Remaining Owed Had Fees Increase for n-payment n= % Number of People Forgoing Necessities to Pay Fees, Costs, etc. 8 5% Has been Jailed for n-payment n=229, 5.% 98, 95. % Estimated Timeline of Involvement 8 Mobile How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs? Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total

45 Montgomery Sample: Part One 2 participants Quality of Life/Ability to Earn Income 6% Are unemployed or under employed. 55% did not graduate high school 65% do not have a car 65% do not have a driver s license % Have dependent children in the home 6% live under someone else s roof $5. = cash access today Annual Income Last Year n=9 5% 25% 2 Employment 4% Full Time n=2 Part Time Unemployed Gender and Racial Distribution Male Female n= African American Caucasian $,5. Annual median income last year including unemployed $6,. Annual median income last year if employed 9

46 Montgomery Sample: Part Two Fee Obligations Penalties 9% Owe fees, court costs, fines, etc. 5% owe in more than one court 47% owe for misdemeanors 48 Months The median amount of time clients have been in the system paying % have had fees increase because they fell behind in payments 22% were jailed for non-payment 8% have had to choose between paying the court and paying necessities 6% Are paying on a regular basis 55% borrowed from family and friends 6% have used a payday loan to pay 7% admit to crime as a funding source $4,. $,5. $,. $2,5. $2,. $,5. $,. $5. $. Median Court Obligations $65. Monthly Payment $,8. Remaining Owed Had Fees Increase for n-payment n=8 67% % Has been Jailed for n-payment n=8, 78. %, 22. % Number of People Forgoing Necessities to Pay Fees, Costs, etc Estimated Timeline of Involvement 4 Montgomery How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs? Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total

47 St. Clair Sample: Part One 22 participants Quality of Life/Ability to Earn Income 52% Are unemployed or under employed. 4% did not graduate high school 8% do not have a car 48% do not have a driver s license 52% 2 5 Employment 48% n=2 Full Time Unemployed Gender and Racial Distribution % Have dependent children in the home % live under someone else s roof $55. = cash access today 2 Annual Income Last Year Male 2 5 Female n=5 n=2 5 African American Black/ West Indian Caucasian $8,5. Annual median income last year including unemployed $,26. Annual median income last year if employed 4

48 St. Clair Sample: Part Two Fee Obligations 9% Owe fees, court costs, fines, etc. 5% owe in more than one court 4% owe for misdemeanors % owe for misdemeanors in more than one jurisdiction Penalties 24 Months The median amount of time clients have been in the system paying 4% have had fees increase because they fell behind in payments 2% were jailed for non-payment 82% have had to choose between paying the court and paying necessities 84% Are paying on a regular basis 4% borrowed from family and friends 7% have used a payday loan to pay 4% admit to crime as a funding source $6,. $5,. $4,. $,. $2,. $,. $. Median Court Obligations $55. Monthly Payment $5,6. Remaining Owed Had Fees Increase for n-payment n=22 86% 4% Has been Jailed for n-payment n=22, 78. %, 22. % Number of People Forgoing Necessities to Pay Fees, Costs, etc Estimated Timeline of Involvement 42 St. Clair How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs? Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total

49 Tuscaloosa Sample: Part One 2 participants Quality of Life/Ability to Earn Income 6% Are unemployed or under employed. 25% did not graduate high school 44% do not have a car 4% do not have a driver s license 4% Have dependent children in the home 5% live under someone else s roof $. = cash access today Annual Income Last Year n= 5% 2 Employment 7% % 2 n= Full Time 4 Part Time 2 Unemployed Gender and Racial Distribution n=2 Male Female African American Caucasian $5,. Annual median income last year including unemployed $,. Annual median income last year if employed 4

50 Tuscaloosa Sample: Part Two Fee Obligations Penalties % Owe fees, court costs, fines, etc. 9% owe in more than one court 6% owe for misdemeanors 24 Months The median amount of time clients have been in the system paying 7% have had fees increase because they fell behind in payments 2% were jailed for non-payment 6% have had to choose between paying the court and paying necessities 6% Are paying on a regular basis 74% borrowed from family and friends 4% have used a payday loan to pay 22% admit to crime as a funding source $2,5. $2,. $,5. $,. $5. $. Median Court Obligations $. Monthly Payment $2,. Remaining Owed Had Fees Increase for n-payment n= 6% Number of People Forgoing Necessities to Pay Fees, Costs, etc. 7% 5 5 Has been Jailed for n-payment n=, 8. % 6, 2. % Estimated Timeline of Involvement 44 Tuscaloosa How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs? Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total