The fees cost people involved in the system thousands of dollars each year
One of the most challenging aspects of being involved in the criminal justice system isn’t the possibility of incarceration — it is the way that fees can stack up over time, putting you thousands (or tens of thousands) of dollars in debt. Monthly fees for probation supervision and alcohol and drug testing can make it almost impossible to get back on your feet after you have paid your debt to society.
Los Angeles County recently moved to eliminate criminal administrative fees, with a unanimous vote by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. According to a criminal attorney in Los Angeles, CA, this move applies to all fees over which the county has discretion. The county is now the fourth in California to eliminate these fees — including San Francisco, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties. A bill is pending before the California Legislature that would eliminate the fees for the entire state.
According to the ACLU, the county was charging fees such as:
- Probation supervision: $155/month
- Pre-sentence investigation report: $769/each
- Representation by counsel: $305 – $2399
- Probation collection installment: $50
- Restitution collection: up to 15% of restitution fine
- Restitution fine service charge: up to 10% of restitution fine
- Drug and alcohol testing: $50/month
- Emergency Medical Services Assessment: $2 for every $10 of fines, penalties or forfeitures
Each year, the county assessed an average of $121 million in fines and fees against people involved in the criminal justice system. Of those fees, the county collected about $11.4 million annually (approximately 9%). This demonstrates that these fees were largely being charged to people who could not afford to pay them.
The elimination of these fees is a critical step in helping people who have been convicted of criminal offenses move forward with their lives. For many residents of Los Angeles County, the fees imposed by the county left them deeply in debt and struggling to survive financially. It also left them vulnerable to being arrested for nonpayment of fees. As a criminal attorney in Los Angeles, CA can explain, even after an individual serves their time, they could still be sent to jail if they don’t pay these fees. For example, an individual on probation who cannot afford to pay the monthly probation fee may be found to be in violation of their probation — and have to go to jail as a result. The elimination of these fees in Los Angeles County will end this practice.
If you have been charged with a crime, it is important to hire a top-notch criminal attorney in Los Angeles, CA to defend you. Attorney Dan E. Chambers has dedicated his career to criminal law — first as a prosecutor, and now as a criminal defense attorney. The Chambers Law Firm has the skill and experience to help you achieve a favorable resolution for your case. Contact our firm today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial consultation.
