Gov. Whitmer extends law putting court costs on defendants
2 years, 3 months ago

Gov. Whitmer extends law putting court costs on defendants

Associated Press  

Gretchen Whitmer signed another extension of a law that makes people convicted of crimes, typically with low incomes, responsible for a portion of local court expenses. The law, which raises millions of dollars for local governments, doesn’t apply to others who use Michigan’s court system. Co-director Lisa Foster said Michigan stands out because judges who preside over a criminal case are also given power to order financial penalties that benefit local government. “It’s supposed to resolve disputes for the entire community and it should be paid for by the entire community, just like we pay for fire protection and police protection and schools, even though we might not have children in schools.” From 2018 through 2020, Michigan courts collected $108 million statewide, 75% of it in district courts, which handle traffic tickets, drunken driving cases and other misdemeanors mostly committed by people who can least afford to pay.

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History of this topic

No summer resolution to big dispute over paying court costs
2 years, 5 months ago

No summer resolution to big dispute over paying court costs

Associated Press  

DETROIT — The Michigan Supreme Court signaled Friday that there will be no summer decision in a high-stakes dispute over whether people convicted of crimes can be ordered to pay to keep the lights on and cover other operating costs in local courts. In its latest order, the Supreme Court said it will hear more arguments on three points in …

Law that raises millions in local courts is challenged
2 years, 9 months ago

Law that raises millions in local courts is challenged

Associated Press  

DETROIT — The Michigan Supreme Court was urged Wednesday to strike down a law that forces people convicted of crimes to pay millions of dollars for the everyday costs of running local courts. “The important conflict of interest here is the fact that judges, when imposing sentence and deciding whether to impose court costs, have to factor in this fundraising …

State’s top court looks at law that makes convicts pay bills
3 years, 2 months ago

State’s top court looks at law that makes convicts pay bills

Associated Press  

DETROIT — The Michigan Supreme Court has agreed to look again at a law that allows communities to collect millions of dollars from poor criminal defendants to pay salaries, keep lights on and wax floors in courthouses up and down the state. The court especially wants to hear whether the law “deprives criminal defendants of their right to appear before …

Michigan’s top court lets local court cost scheme stand
5 years, 5 months ago

Michigan’s top court lets local court cost scheme stand

Associated Press  

DETROIT — The Michigan Supreme Court has rejected a challenge to the practice of charging people for the costs of running local courts, a law that brings in tens of millions of dollars each year across the state and helps prop up ailing city budgets. Separately, Chief Justice Bridget McCormack urged lawmakers to seriously consider the recommendations of a special …

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