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.
Hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and Asset Funders Network.
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.
| 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:
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.
| 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
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.
