Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management

The killing of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown by a Ferguson, Missouri police officer triggered protests that highlighted the many injustices confronting African-American residents. Among the most insidious of the problems underlying the tensions is the aggressive collection of court fines and fees levied against black residents of municipalities around St. Louis. Fines and fees are one of the principal ways that local courts generate revenue – 20% of the city’s $12 million budget. In addition, the US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, investigation of Ferguson revealed on-going communication about the need to generate fine revenue between the Finance Director, the City Manager, the Chief of Police, and the Municipal Courts. However, these fines result in extraordinary debts and jail time, which exposes people to significant injury and even death. Those who do not have legal representation or who cannot afford to pay them off quickly are at particular risk. Moreover, the fee and fine system has a disparate impact on people of color and exacerbates tensions between citizens and the government, especially the police. Drawing on recent and current cases in the St. Louis area, this paper provides an overview of the causes and pervasiveness of the problem, including a review of recent policy changes and an assessment of the early outcomes.