Beth A. Colgan (University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) – School of Law) has posted Fines, Fees, and Forfeitures (Academy for Justice: A Report on Scholarship and Criminal Justice Reform, Erik Luna, ed., 2017, Forthcoming) on SSRN.

Here is the abstract:

The use of fines, fees, and forfeitures has expanded significantly in recent years as lawmakers have sought to fund criminal justice systems without raising taxes. Concerns are growing, however, that inadequately designed systems for the use of such economic sanctions have problematic policy outcomes, such as the distortion of criminal justice priorities, exacerbation of financial vulnerability of people living at or near poverty, increased crime, jail overcrowding, and even decreased revenue. In addition, the imposition and collections of fines, fees, and forfeitures in many jurisdictions are arguably unconstitutional, and therefore create the risk of often costly litigation. This chapter provides an overview of those policy and constitutional problems and provides several concrete solutions for reforming the use of fines, fees, and forfeitures.