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The Burden of Criminal Justice Debt in Alabama 2014 Participant Self-Report Survey Foster Cook, Associate Professor and Director, UAB TASC
For More Information Contact:
Foster Cook
401 Beacon Parkway West
Birmingham, Alabama 35209
www.uab.edu/TASC
Contents In this Report: ................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
State Sample ................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Demographics ........................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Participating Counties ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Gender and Racial Distribution ........................................................................................................................................ 2
Level of Education ............................................................................................................................................................... 3
Employment ........................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Children.................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Annual Income Last Year Including Unemployed .......................................................................................................... 4
Quality of Life ........................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Housing................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Transportation ...................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Bank Account ......................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Fee Obligations ........................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Fees ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Misdemeanors ...................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Who is Paying and How? ....................................................................................................................................................... 8
Paying on a Regular Basis ................................................................................................................................................. 8
Family and Friends .............................................................................................................................................................. 8
Payday Loan ........................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Counties above state percentage .................................................................................................................................... 9
Fees vs. Necessities ........................................................................................................................................................... 10
Number of People Forgoing Necessities ...................................................................................................................... 10
Crime as a Funding Source ............................................................................................................................................. 11
Criminal Activities .............................................................................................................................................................. 12
Penalties .................................................................................................................................................................................. 13
Increased Payments .......................................................................................................................................................... 13
Jailed for Non-payment .................................................................................................................................................. 14
Financial Overview ............................................................................................................................................................... 16
County Variance: Income and Fee Ratios .................................................................................................................... 16
County Variance: Monthly Fee Rates ........................................................................................................................... 17
County Variance: Estimated Time Spent with Criminal Justice Debt ...................................................................... 17
Summary: The Cycle ............................................................................................................................................................. 18
Qualitative Data ................................................................................................................................................................... 19
On Owing in Multiple Courts .......................................................................................................................................... 19
On Fines Increased Because of Falling Behind ........................................................................................................... 19
On Fees vs. Necessities .................................................................................................................................................... 19
On Employment/Unemployment .................................................................................................................................... 20
On Transportation............................................................................................................................................................. 20
On Resources: Where do They Get the Money? ....................................................................................................... 20
On Trying to Pay .............................................................................................................................................................. 21
Summary Results by Jurisdiction .............................................................................................................................................. 22
State of Alabama Sample: Part One ............................................................................................................................... 23
State of Alabama Sample: Part Two ............................................................................................................................... 24
Cherokee/DeKalb Sample: Part One ............................................................................................................................... 25
Cherokee/DeKalb Sample: Part Two ............................................................................................................................... 26
Dale Sample: Part One ....................................................................................................................................................... 27
Dale Sample: Part Two ........................................................................................................................................................ 28
Greene/Marengo/Sumpter Sample: Part One ............................................................................................................... 29
Greene/Marengo/Sumpter Sample: Part Two ............................................................................................................... 30
Huntsville Sample: Part One ............................................................................................................................................. 31
Huntsville Sample: Part Two ............................................................................................................................................. 32
Jefferson Sample: Part One ............................................................................................................................................... 33
Jefferson Sample: Part Two ............................................................................................................................................... 34
Marshall Sample: Part One................................................................................................................................................ 35
Marshall Sample: Part Two ................................................................................................................................................ 36
Mobile Sample: Part One ................................................................................................................................................... 37
Mobile Sample: Part Two .................................................................................................................................................... 38
Montgomery Sample: Part One ........................................................................................................................................ 39
Montgomery Sample: Part Two ........................................................................................................................................ 40
St. Clair Sample: Part One ................................................................................................................................................. 41
St. Clair Sample: Part Two .................................................................................................................................................. 42
Tuscaloosa Sample: Part One ........................................................................................................................................... 43
Tuscaloosa Sample: Part Two ........................................................................................................................................... 44
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In this Report: This report
contains overall
survey results for
participating
counties in the
state of
Alabama.
Data presented
is both
consolidated on
the state level
as well as
extracted at the
county level.
The Burden of Criminal Justice Debt in Alabama 2014 Participant Self-Report Survey
Across the country the criminal justice system has increasingly looked to defendants to finance the courts and court related programs. In Alabama, the legislature has reduced funding for courts and court related services. To offset this loss, court costs and associated fees have risen.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the success of this approach and the impact of these policies in Alabama. With the general knowledge that increased court costs have not produced projected revenue, we sought to understand why by surveying defendants across the state. We thank the Community Corrections Directors in the counties represented, the staff that administered the surveys and the Alabama Department of Probation and Parole.
Three goals of this study: 1. Explore the “ability to pay” question 2. Understand the dynamics of the collection process 3. Understand the consequences criminal justice debt has to:
• Defendants under court supervision • The purposes of the justice system • The public • Recidivism • Persons in the criminal justice system living in poverty
Methods of this study:
1. This study was initially designed as an anonymous survey for Jefferson County/TASC, and Probation and Parole
2. Other Alabama counties expressed interest and participated in the study
3. Those populations have been combined in the following outcomes:
a. 13 counties b. 943 participants under supervision for a felony were
surveyed 4. Primarily Quantitative: descriptive statistics 5. Secondarily Qualitative: comments recorded from the
participants
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State Sample Demographics Participating Counties In 2013, 943 participants were surveyed across thirteen different counties in the state of Alabama. All of these participants were actively involved in the criminal justice system.
Gender and Racial Distribution
99
33 34 29
394
50
230
20 22 32
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
AfricanAmerican
AlaskanNative
Asian/Pacific
Islander
Black/WestIndian
Caucasian Latino/Hispanic
NativeAmerican Other
Female 81 0 1 1 123 0 4 1Male 435 1 3 11 252 5 4 8
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
N=943
N=930
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Level of Education
Employment
Frequency Valid%
College or beyond 185 19.8%
Did not graduate high school
325 34.8%
Diploma/GED 425 45.5%
n 935 100.0%
Missing 8
Total 943
Frequency Valid%
Full Time 338 37.8%
Part Time 121 13.5%
Unemployed 435 48.7%
n 894 100.0%
Missing 49
Total 943
College or
beyond 19.8%
Did not graduate 34.8%
Diploma/GED
45.5%
Full Time 38%
Part Time 13%
Un-employed
49%
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Children Over 40% of the overall sample reported having dependent children who live in their home.
Annual Income Last Year Including Unemployed Participants reported a median income of $8000.00 and a mean income of $10,894.00 annually. These figures include participants claiming zero income due to unemployment.
232
115
161
97
52 35 33
6 13 11 10 13
0
50
100
150
200
250
Frequency Valid %
Yes 380 40.5%
No 559 59.5%
n 939 100.0%
Missing 4
Total 943
Yes 40.5%
No 59.5%
N=778
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Quality of Life Housing Participants were asked: “if housed, where are you living?” with 90% of the overall sample reporting being housed (n=863). However, 39.4% of the housed reported living at someone else’s residence, residential treatment, a halfway house, or other.
Frequency Valid %
Own/rent apartment, room, or house 523 60.6%
Someone else’s apartment, room, or house 318 36.8%
Halfway House 6 0.7%
Residential Treatment 10 1.2%
Other 6 0.7%
n 863 100.0%
Missing 80
Total 943
Own/rent apartment, room, or house, 61%
Someone else’s apartment, room, or house, 37%
Halfway House, 1%
Residential Treatment, 1% Other, 1%
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Yes 47% No
53%
Do you have a car?
Yes 36%
No 64%
Transportation Over half of the participants reported not having a car, not having a drivers license, or not having automobile insurance.
Bank Account Almost 2/3rds of the participants reported having no bank account
Frequency Valid %
Yes 329 36.0%
No 585 64.0%
n 914 100.0%
Missing 29
Total 943
Yes 46%
No 54%
Do you have a drivers license?
Yes 44% No
56%
Do you have auto insurance? N=933 N=918 N=934
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Yes 90.5%
No 9.5%
Do you owe court costs, fees, etc.?
Fee Obligations All participants were paying supervision fees ranging from $35.00 to $150.00 a month. It is speculated the 9.5% that reported not currently owing fees is an artifact of the instrument interpretation (for example, fees paid up for that month, etc.) or the result of judicial fee waivers. Courts below are defined as felony, misdemeanor, child support, and other.
Fees
Misdemeanors
One 67.9%
Two or more
32.1%
In how many Courts do you owe fees?
Yes 40%
No 60%
Do you owe for a misdemeanor as well as a felony (traffic
offenses, etc.?
One 78%
Two or more 22%
If so, then in how many jurisdictions?
N=929
N=921
n=801
n=651
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Who is Paying and How? Paying on a Regular Basis The majority of participants (63%) report paying on their court costs, fines, fees, etc. on a regular basis.
Family and Friends Participants were asked if they ever had to borrow money from family or friends to pay court costs, fines, fees, etc.
Frequency Valid %
Yes 544 63.0%
No 320 37.0%
n 864 100.0%
Missing 79
Total 943
Frequency Valid%
Yes 510 55.4%
No 410 44.6%
n 920 100.0%
Missing 23
Total 943
Yes 63.0%
No 37.0%
Yes 55.4%
No 44.6%
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Yes 26%
No 74%
Cherokee/ DeKalb
Yes 24%
No 76%
Huntsville
Yes 19%
No 81%
Jefferson
Yes 18%
No 82%
Montgomery
Yes 40%
No 60%
Tuscaloosa
Payday Loan Participants were asked if they had ever used a payday or title loan to pay court costs, fine, fees, etc.
Counties above state percentage The following counties scored higher than the state percentage (16%) when participants were asked if they had used a payday or title loan to pay court costs, fines, fees, etc.
Frequency Valid%
Yes 138 16.0%
No 722 84.0%
n 860 100.0%
Missing 83
Total 943
Yes 16.0%
No 84.0%
n=94
n=29
n=339
n=25 n=17
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Fees vs. Necessities Participants were asked if they’d ever had to choose between paying the court and paying essentials. Over 60% stated that they had to make this choice.
Number of People Forgoing Necessities Of the participants having to choose between paying the court and paying necessities (n=569) the most frequent necessities that suffered non-payment were utilities, groceries and rent/mortgage payments. Many participants noted forgoing multiple necessities.
92
174
356 394
429
153 153
64
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
Num
ber
of P
eopl
e
Frequency Valid%
Yes 569 60.3%
No 374 39.7%
n 943 100.0%
Missing 0
Total 943
Yes 60.3%
No 39.7%
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Yes 31%
No 69%
Huntsville
Yes 23%
No 77%
Jefferson
Yes 43%
No 57%
Marshall
Yes 42%
No 58%
Montgomery
Yes 22%
No 78%
Tuscaloosa
Crime as a Funding Source Participants were asked if they had ever committed a crime to pay court costs, fines, fees, etc. This percentage varied widely across counties from 1.8% to 43% depending upon who asked the question. In some counties, probation or community corrections officers conducted the interviews. Other counties used independent outside interviewers.
Counties above state percentage The following counties used independent interviewers, not probation or community corrections officers. They scored higher than the state percentage (17%) when participants were asked if they had ever committed a crime to pay court costs, fines, fees, etc.
Frequency Valid%
Yes 158 17.0%
No 770 83.0%
n 928 100.0%
Missing 15
Total 943
Yes 17.0%
No 83.0%
n=29
n=32 n=19
n=388
n=49
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Gambling 1%
Prostitution 1%
Robbery 2%
Sell Drugs 56%
Theft 19%
Not Telling 19%
Pondered it 2%
Criminal Activities 17.0% of statewide participants admitted to committing criminal activity to pay court costs, fines, fees, etc. The following subset includes those admitting to criminal activity as well as those that stated they had pondered it (n=161) as well. Of that percentage, selling drugs (56%) was the primary method.
Frequency Valid%
Gambling 2 1.2%
Prostitution 2 1.2%
Robbery 3 1.9%
Sell Drugs 91 56.5%
Theft 30 18.6%
Not Telling 30 18.6%
Pondered it 3 1.9%
n 161 100.0%
Missing 782
Total 943
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Yes 24.6%
No 75.4%
Yes 32%
No 68%
Jefferson
Yes 39%
No 61%
Marshall
Yes 33%
No 67%
Montgomery
Yes 37%
No 63%
Tuscaloosa
Penalties Increased Payments Participants were asked if they ever had court costs, fines, fees, etc. increase because they fell behind in payments. 24.6% stated the court had increased their amount owed as a penalty.
Counties above state percentage The following counties scored higher than the state percentage (24.5%) when participants were asked if they had ever had court costs, fines, fees, etc. increase because they fell behind.
Frequency Valid%
Yes 222 24.6%
No 679 75.4%
n 901 100.0%
Missing 42
Total 943
n=382
n=30 n=18
n=49
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Yes 17.9%
No 82.1%
Yes 21%
No 79%
Jefferson
Yes 63%
No 37%
Marshall
Yes 22%
No 78%
Montgomery
Yes 22%
No 78%
St. Clair
Yes 20%
No 80%
Tuscaloosa
Jailed for Non-payment Participants were asked if they ever had been jailed for failing to pay court costs, fines, fees, etc.. 17.9% stated the court had held them in jail as a penalty for non-payment.
Counties above state percentage The following counties scored higher than the state percentage (17.9%) when participants were asked if they had ever been jailed for non-payment.
Frequency Valid%
Yes 167 17.9%
No 764 82.1%
n 931 100.0%
Missing 12
Total 943
n=49
n=18
n=22 n=30
n=394
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82.0%
77.2%
76.5%
75.2%
68.1%
64.8%
64.2%
60.0%
53.9%
52.5%
47.0%
38.3%
23.3%
Has chosen between paying court and payingessentials
No lawyer present at time of incarceration
Does not have a bank account
Does not have a driver's license
Has borrowed money from family or friends to paycourt costs
Has chosen between paying court and payingutilities
Has chosen between paying court and paying forgroceries
Has chosen between paying court and payingrent/mortgage
Did not graduate High School/get their GED
Has had court costs increase because fell behind inpayments
Is unemployed
Has at least one dependent child living with them
Has used a payday or title loan to pay court costs
Attributes of Participants that Report being Jailed for Non-payment
Attributes of participants that report being jailed for non-payment The following is an analysis of the “jailed for non-payment” subsample (n=167) across other survey variables, targeting participants’ quality of life and ability to pay. The data would suggest the more impoverished the person, the more likely to be locked up for non-payment.
Please note that whether the below attributes were present at the time of participants' incarceration is unknown. (Exception: the presence of a lawyer is tied specifically to the jailing event in question.)
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$0.00
$5,000.00
$10,000.00
$15,000.00
$20,000.00
$25,000.00
Remaining amount owed vs. annual salary last year (median values)
Remaining amount owed in court costs, fines, fees, restitution, etc.if not zeroAnnual income last year if not zero
Financial Overview
If paying, how much do you pay per month?
Total amount owed in court costs, fines, restitution, etc. if not
zero
Cash access today
How many months have you been in a
situation where you owed court costs, etc.?
Annual income last year if not
zero
Annual income last
year including
unemployed
Median $75.00 $2000.00 $20.00 24.00 $10,000.00 $8,000.00
Mean $114.06 $7,885.21 $261.31 39.95 $15,531.07 $10,894.04
Valid 569 658 880 790 546 778
Missing 374 285 63 153 397 165
County Variance: Income and Fee Ratios
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$135.00
$91.50
$50.00
$250.00
$50.00
$100.00
$50.00 $65.00 $55.00
$110.00
$0.00
$50.00
$100.00
$150.00
$200.00
$250.00
$300.00
If paying, how much do you pay per month? (median values)
12 6 12 36 24 24 12
48 24 24 11 16
35 16
60 51
27
58 102
18
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Estimated amount of time spent in the system paying (median values)
Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total
How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs?
County Variance: Monthly Fee Rates
County Variance: Estimated Time Spent with Criminal Justice Debt The following chart is an estimation of participant time owing court costs, fines, and fees. This is based on their reported months, thus far, and months they will have remaining if payments continue at the current rate.
Mon
ths
n=569
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Crime
Debt
More Crime Prison
More Debt
Summary: The Cycle Increased financial burden is difficult in the context of rehabilitation. Court costs, fines, and fees overwhelm other obligations (utilities, medical expenses, etc.). This is of particular note as 41% of those surveyed statewide reported dependent children living in the home. Excessive court costs and fees generate more crime and more victims as demonstrated in the diagram below.
A significant percentage of the participants surveyed were persons living in poverty who experienced acute obstacles in the areas of debt, ability to earn money, transportation, support network, and penalties for non-payment including incarceration. Upon a closer examination of those reporting incarceration for non-payment, circumstances were more desperate, typically exceeding those noted in the non-incarcerated sampling.
It was clear in our interviews that a lack of understanding or coordination among multiple agencies has produced a system of layered fees, duplication of supervision, and little uniformity. Competition between municipal courts (private probation) and state courts for funds, drug law statues, driver’s license suspensions, and unregulated supervision fees have a dramatic impact on an individual’s ability to pay routine court costs and successfully exit the criminal justice system.
Unresolved debt over extended periods of time (80 months in Jefferson County) prohibits defendants from moving forward with rehabilitation goals of employment, stable housing, getting a driver’s license, and staying off drugs. Under current policies, the poorer the defendant the longer they are in the system and the more they pay.
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Qualitative Data The following sections reflect a sampling of the comments offered by those interviewed regarding issues most important to them.
On Owing in Multiple Courts
“By paying different sections of the courts, they don’t realize you are probably paying each one separately which conflicts because no one is taking into consideration of how much money you are already paying to other court systems.” Jefferson
“Lost job in June 2013, have three children to support and take care of my sick grandmother. I have to pay two private probation offices. If I don’t, I will go to jail.” (Asked if she could just go to jail and serve the time and get this over with) Jefferson
“Difficult and frustrating and easy to fail.” Tuscaloosa
“I wish I could get them misdemeanors off me.” Jefferson
On Fines Increased Because of Falling Behind
“The fees are way too high for the crimes and by the time you pay what you can afford barely any goes to the fine. Most of it goes to late fees…you end up paying three times the amount owed.” St. Clair
“So many fines, can’t pay on all. I’m late paying one because I’m paying on another. It’s a vicious cycle. I’m now being sued by a payday loan because I cannot pay it back.” Jefferson
“I think it’s a bunch of crap. It’s all about money, but I am going to do what I have to…to keep my freedom.” Tuscaloosa
“Everything seems to be a trap.” Jefferson
On Fees vs. Necessities
“My mom has to bring food home from where she works and do without to help me. I just got out of prison in December and my disability has not started back yet.” Huntsville
“I have a fear of getting arrested because I can’t make my payments. The city will give you 200+ days for not paying.” Jefferson
“It’s overwhelming, causes anxiety. I go to therapy because you are always scared they will be knocking at your door. I have started using because of the anxiety.” Jefferson
“Going to the blood bank today to get gas money.” Tuscaloosa
“You go to jail if you can’t pay. I lost my apartment and got behind on bills.” Jefferson
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On Employment/Unemployment
“Makes me feel like less of a man because I cannot support my family.” Jefferson
“I have five kids and get SSI. Not able to work due to my medical condition.” Mobile
“It is so hard to get a job because of my felony. If I could ever get a job, I could start paying.” Jefferson
“I am a single mother of two. I’m unemployed at this time because of a felony record, have been having a very hard time finding work. On the verge of being homeless with my children if I don’t find work soon. I am hopeful that I will get myself out of this situation soon for the sake of my innocent kids. With God’s help...” Mobile
On Transportation
“Can’t get a license because of fees. I pay two probation fees.” Jefferson
“It’s difficult because I have to get someone to bring me and I work and go to school.” Jefferson
“I spent 2 years in jail and got out and owe all this money. They pulled my driver’s license, I have no home, and have to pay all this money. How do you expect me to pay? It is a Catch-22 – can’t work if you can’t drive.” Tuscaloosa
“You get stuck because once your license is suspended you can’t register a vehicle, buy insurance or tag. If you get another ticket, it kicks you back further. Very stressful, just got married.” Jefferson
On Resources: Where do They Get the Money?
“Mom took out loans to help with court costs.” Jefferson
“I borrow money from my brother, mother, and grandmother.” Jefferson
“Criminal mischief. I took out student loans to pay on my case.” Huntsville
“It’s gonna take me over five years to pay the City of Birmingham/ Jefferson County. I am on disability and can’t pay much.” Jefferson
“Current situation is overbearing. It leads to further incarceration. It creates a number of problems in the community.” Montgomery
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On Trying to Pay
“I don’t understand why court cost is usually more than the fine itself.” Marshall
“Strain – it gets stressful. Motivator – got to have it to have my freedom. Everything else has to be put on the back burner to have freedom.” Montgomery
“I just pay to get it over with. I have stage 4 cancer.” Huntsville
“You have to respect the law, but it seems a lot for the offense.” Huntsville
“I am going to pay everything I owe. Its just been hard.” Mobile
“They get it when I get it.” DeKalb/Cherokee
“I will owe when I leave this world. They come up with something new every day. I cannot get a loan. I will be paying until the day I die. The fees keep coming. The fees and fines are all they want.” -Jefferson
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Summary Results by Jurisdiction
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232
115
161
97
52 35 33
6 13 11 10 13
0
50
100
150
200
250
Annual Income Last Year
38%
13%
49%
Employment
Full Time
Part Time
Unemployed
435
1 3 11
252
5 4 8
81
1 1
123
4 1
0100200300400500600
AfricanAmerican
AlaskanNative
Asian/Pacific
Islander
Black/WestIndian
Caucasian Latino/Hispanic
NativeAmerican
Other
Gender and Racial Distribution
Male Female
State of Alabama Sample: Part One 943 participants
Quality of Life/Ability to Earn Income
62%
Are unemployed or under employed. ----------
• 35% did not graduate high school • 53% do not have a car • 54% do not have a driver’s license
41%
Have dependent children in the home ----------
• 37% live under someone else’s roof
• $20.00 = cash access today
$8,000.00 Annual median income last year including unemployed
$10,000.00 Annual median income last year if employed
N=930
N=894
N=778
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92 174
356 394 429
153 153 64
0100200300400500
Number of People Forgoing Necessities to Pay Fees, Costs, etc.
Yes 25%
No 75%
Had Fees Increase for Non-payment
Yes, 17.9%
No, 82.1%
Has been Jailed for Non-payment
$75.00
$2,000.00
$0.00
$500.00
$1,000.00
$1,500.00
$2,000.00
$2,500.00
Monthly Payment Remaining Owed
Median Court Obligations
12 11
0 5 10 15 20 25
State
Estimated Timeline of Involvement
How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs?
Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total
State of Alabama Sample: Part Two Fee Obligations Penalties
24 Months
The median amount of time clients have been in the system paying
---------- • 25% have had fees increase because
they fell behind in payments • 18% were jailed for non-payment
• 60% have had to choose between paying the court and paying necessities
91%
Owe fees, court costs, etc. ----------
• 32% owe in more than one court • 40% owe for misdemeanors • 22% owe for misdemeanors in more
than one jurisdiction
63%
Are paying on a regular basis ----------
• 55% borrowed from family and friends
• 16% have used a payday loan to pay
• 17% admit to crime as a funding source
N=901 N=931
The
Burd
en o
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rimin
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ustic
e D
ebt i
n A
laba
ma
25
14 12
15
11
4 4 4
1 3
2 1
02468
10121416
Annual Income Last Year
43%
20%
37%
Employment
Full Time
Part Time
Unemployed
1 1
61
2 3 4 1
23
1
0
20
40
60
80
100
AfricanAmerican
Alaskan Native Caucasian Latino/Hispanic
NativeAmerican
Other
Gender and Racial Distribution
Male Female
n=97
Cherokee/DeKalb Sample: Part One 99 participants
Quality of Life/Ability to Earn Income
57%
Are unemployed or under employed. ----------
• 31% did not graduate high school • 37% do not have a car • 37% do not have a driver’s license
37%
Have dependent children in the home ----------
• 15% live under someone else’s roof
• $36.00 = cash access today
$10,000.00 Annual median income last year including unemployed
$11,000.00 Annual median income last year if employed
n=99
n=71
The
Burd
en o
f C
rimin
al J
ustic
e D
ebt i
n A
laba
ma
26
8 22
28 41 41
16 22
3 0
1020304050
Number of People Forgoing Necessities to Pay Fees, Costs, etc.
Yes 15%
No 85%
Had Fees Increase for Non-payment
Yes, 16.0%
No, 84.0%
Has been Jailed for Non-payment
$135.00
$1,500.00
$0.00$200.00$400.00$600.00$800.00
$1,000.00$1,200.00$1,400.00$1,600.00
Monthly Payment Remaining Owed
Median Court Obligations
12 11
0 5 10 15 20 25
Cherokee/DeKalb
Estimated Timeline of Involvement
How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs?
Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total
Cherokee/DeKalb Sample: Part Two Fee Obligations Penalties
12 Months
The median amount of time clients have been in the system paying
---------- • 15% have had fees increase because
they fell behind in payments • 16% were jailed for non-payment
• 55% have had to choose between paying the court and paying necessities
64%
Owe fees, court costs, fines, etc. ----------
• 25% owe in more than one court • 26% owe for misdemeanors • 25% owe for misdemeanors in more
than one jurisdiction
80%
Are paying on a regular basis ----------
• 61% borrowed from family and friends
• 26% have used a payday loan to pay
• 16% admit to crime as a funding source
n=97 n=96
The
Burd
en o
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rimin
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ustic
e D
ebt i
n A
laba
ma
27
3
4
1 1
2
3
1 1
2
1 1 1
0112233445
Annual Income Last Year
41%
9%
50%
Employment
Full Time
Part Time
Unemployed
11
15 4
3
0
5
10
15
20
African American Caucasian
Gender and Racial Distribution Male Female
Dale Sample: Part One 33 participants
Quality of Life/Ability to Earn Income
59%
Are unemployed or under employed. ----------
• 36% did not graduate high school • 46% do not have a car • 42% do not have a driver’s license
61%
Have dependent children in the home ----------
• 49% live under someone else’s roof
• $5.00 = cash access today
$20,000.00 Annual median income last year including unemployed
$21,500.00 Annual median income last year if employed
n=33
n=32
n=21
The
Burd
en o
f C
rimin
al J
ustic
e D
ebt i
n A
laba
ma
28
1 2
6
1 1
01234567
Number of People Forgoing Necessities to Pay Fees, Costs, etc.
Yes 23%
No 77%
Had Fees Increase for Non-payment
Yes, 12.0%
No, 88.0%
Has been Jailed for Non-payment
$91.50
$1,500.00
$0.00$200.00$400.00$600.00$800.00
$1,000.00$1,200.00$1,400.00$1,600.00
Monthly Payment Remaining Owed
Median Court Obligations
6 16
0 5 10 15 20 25
Dale
Estimated Timeline of Involvement
How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs?
Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total
Dale Sample: Part Two Fee Obligations Penalties
6 Months
The median amount of time clients have been in the system paying
---------- • 23% have had fees increase because
they fell behind in payments • 12% were jailed for non-payment
• 24% have had to choose between paying the court and paying necessities
88%
Owe fees, court costs, fines, etc. ----------
• 7% owe in more than one court • 24% owe for misdemeanors
81%
Are paying on a regular basis ----------
• 41% borrowed from family and friends
• 9% have used a payday loan to pay
n=33 n=30
The
Burd
en o
f C
rimin
al J
ustic
e D
ebt i
n A
laba
ma
29
4
1
7
2 1 1 1
012345678
Annual Income Last Year
27%
10% 63%
Employment
Full Time
Part Time
Unemployed
24
6
2
1
05
1015202530
African American Caucasian
Gender and Racial Distribution
Male Female
Greene/Marengo/Sumpter Sample: Part One 34 participants
Quality of Life/Ability to Earn Income
73%
Are unemployed or under employed. ----------
• 33% did not graduate high school • 62% do not have a car • 59% do not have a driver’s license
32%
Have dependent children in the home ----------
• 24% live under someone else’s roof
• $32.50 = cash access today
$8,000.00 Annual median income last year including unemployed
$8,400.00 Annual median income last year if employed
n=33
n=30
n=17
The
Burd
en o
f C
rimin
al J
ustic
e D
ebt i
n A
laba
ma
30
3
1
3 3 4
2 2
012345
Number of People Forgoing Necessities to Pay Fees, Costs, etc.
Yes 7%
No 93%
Had Fees Increase for Non-payment
Yes, 10.0%
No, 90.0%
Has been Jailed for Non-payment
$50.00
$1,750.00
$0.00
$500.00
$1,000.00
$1,500.00
$2,000.00
Monthly Payment Remaining Owed
Median Court Obligations
12 35
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
G/M/S
Estimated Timeline of Involvement
How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs?
Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total
Greene/Marengo/Sumpter Sample: Part Two Fee Obligations Penalties
12 Months
The median amount of time clients have been in the system paying
---------- • 7% have had fees increase because
they fell behind in payments • 10% were jailed for non-payment
• 24% have had to choose between paying the court and paying necessities
70%
Owe fees, court costs, fines, etc. ----------
• 8% owe in more than one court • 3% owe for misdemeanors
56%
Are paying on a regular basis ----------
• 41% borrowed from family and friends
• 3% have used a payday loan to pay
• 6% admit to crime as a funding source
n=30 n=29
The
Burd
en o
f C
rimin
al J
ustic
e D
ebt i
n A
laba
ma
31
10
4 5
2 3
2 1
2
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Annual Income Last Year
38%
21%
41%
Employment
Full Time
Part Time
Unemployed
6 1
1
12 8
1 0
5
10
15
African American Caucasian Latino/ Hispanic Other
Gender and Racial Distribution
Male Female
Huntsville Sample: Part One 29 participants
Quality of Life/Ability to Earn Income
62%
Are unemployed or under employed. ----------
• 28% did not graduate high school • 45% do not have a car • 52% do not have a driver’s license
38%
Have dependent children in the home ----------
• 59% live under someone else’s roof
• $80.00 = cash access today
$6,000.00 Annual median income last year including unemployed
$15,000.00 Annual median income last year if employed
n=29
n=29
n=29
The
Burd
en o
f C
rimin
al J
ustic
e D
ebt i
n A
laba
ma
32
4 8
16 16 16
6 9
5
05
101520
Number of People Forgoing Necessities to Pay Fees, Costs, etc.
Yes 25%
No 75%
Had Fees Increase for Non-payment
Yes, 14.0%
No, 86.0%
Has been Jailed for Non-payment
$250.00
$4,000.00
$0.00
$1,000.00
$2,000.00
$3,000.00
$4,000.00
$5,000.00
Monthly Payment Remaining Owed
Median Court Obligations
36 16
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Huntsville
Estimated Timeline of Involvement
How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs?
Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total
Huntsville Sample: Part Two Fee Obligations Penalties
36 Months
The median amount of time clients have been in the system paying
---------- • 25% have had fees increase because
they fell behind in payments • 14% were jailed for non-payment
• 72% have had to choose between paying the court and paying necessities
100%
Owe fees, court costs, fines, etc. ----------
• 21% owe in more than one court • 10% owe for misdemeanors
79%
Are paying on a regular basis ----------
• 72% borrowed from family and friends
• 24% have used a payday loan to pay
• 31% admit to crime as a funding source
n=29 n=28
The
Burd
en o
f C
rimin
al J
ustic
e D
ebt i
n A
laba
ma
33
123
51
87
43
14 12 16 4 7 5 6 4
020406080
100120140
Annual Income Last Year
33%
15%
52%
Employment
Full Time
Part Time
Unemployed
247
3 59 1 1
43
35 1
050
100150200250300350
African American Black/West Indian Caucasian Latino/ Hispanic Other
Gender and Racial Distribution
Male Female
Jefferson Sample: Part One 394 participants
Quality of Life/Ability to Earn Income
68%
Are unemployed or under employed. ----------
• 33% did not graduate high school • 52% do not have a car • 60% do not have a driver’s license
35%
Have dependent children in the home ----------
• 47% live under someone else’s roof
• $20.00 = cash access today
$7,200.00 Annual median income last year including unemployed
$10,000.00 Annual median income last year if employed
n=390
n=362
n=372
The
Burd
en o
f C
rimin
al J
ustic
e D
ebt i
n A
laba
ma
34
42 74
169 173 191
56 69 37
050
100150200250
Number of People Forgoing Necessities to Pay Fees, Costs, etc.
Yes 32% No
68%
Had Fees Increase for Non-payment
Yes, 21.0%
No, 79.0%
Has been Jailed for Non-payment
$50.00
$3,000.00
$0.00
$500.00
$1,000.00
$1,500.00
$2,000.00
$2,500.00
$3,000.00
$3,500.00
Monthly Payment Remaining Owed
Median Court Obligations
24 60
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Jefferson
Estimated Timeline of Involvement
How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs?
Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total
Jefferson Sample: Part Two Fee Obligations Penalties
24 Months
The median amount of time clients have been in the system paying
---------- • 32% have had fees increase because
they fell behind in payments • 21% were jailed for non-payment
• 65% have had to choose between paying the court and paying necessities
95%
Owe fees, court costs, fines, etc. ----------
• 45% owe in more than one court • 45% owe for misdemeanors • 22% owe for misdemeanors in more
than one jurisdiction
60%
Are paying on a regular basis ----------
• 60% borrowed from family and friends
• 20% have used a payday loan to pay
• 23% admit to crime as a funding source
n=394 n=382
The
Burd
en o
f C
rimin
al J
ustic
e D
ebt i
n A
laba
ma
35
23
6 4
6 3 2 2 2
0
5
10
15
20
25
Annual Income Last Year
$1,500.00* Annual median income last year including unemployed
$13,000.00 Annual median income last year if employed
98%
2% Employment*
Full Time
Unemployed
31
1
18
0
20
40
60
Caucasian Latino/ Hispanic
Gender and Racial Distribution
Male Female
Marshall Sample: Part One 50 participants
Quality of Life/Ability to Earn Income
57%
Did not graduate high school. ----------
• 67% do not have a car • 67% do not have a driver’s license
34%
Have dependent children in the home ----------
• $15.00 = cash access today
n=50
n=50
n=48
*All subjects from Marshall County are part of a work release program. This skews any unemployment data.
The
Burd
en o
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rimin
al J
ustic
e D
ebt i
n A
laba
ma
36
7 12
32 33 32
12 19
3
05
101520253035
Number of People Forgoing Necessities to Pay Fees, Costs, etc.
Yes 39%
No 61%
Had Fees Increase for Non-payment
Yes, 63.0%
No, 37.0%
Has been Jailed for Non-payment
$100.00
$5,075.00
$0.00
$1,000.00
$2,000.00
$3,000.00
$4,000.00
$5,000.00
$6,000.00
Monthly Payment Remaining Owed
Median Court Obligations
24 51
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Marshall
Estimated Timeline of Involvement
How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs?
Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total
Marshall Sample: Part Two Fee Obligations Penalties
24 Months
The median amount of time clients have been in the system paying
---------- • 39% have had fees increase because
they fell behind in payments • 63% were jailed for non-payment
• 76% have had to choose between paying the court and paying necessities
98%
Owe fees, court costs, fines, etc. ----------
• 58% owe in more than one court • 67% owe for misdemeanors • 50% owe for misdemeanors in more
than one jurisdiction
84%
Are paying on a regular basis ----------
• 33% borrowed from family and friends
• 14% have used a payday loan to pay
• 43% admit to crime as a funding source
n=49 n=49
The
Burd
en o
f C
rimin
al J
ustic
e D
ebt i
n A
laba
ma
37
38
24 28
24 19
8 8
1 1 2 2
05
10152025303540
Annual Income Last Year
31%
12% 57%
Employment
Full Time
Part Time
Unemployed
111
3 7 44 1 2
23
1 30
3
0
50
100
150
AfricanAmerican
Asian/ PacificIslander
Black/ WestIndian
Caucasian NativeAmerican
Other
Gender and Racial Distribution
Male Female
Mobile Sample: Part One 230 participants
Quality of Life/Ability to Earn Income
70%
Are unemployed or under employed. ----------
• 35% did not graduate high school • 60% do not have a car • 53% do not have a driver’s license
52%
Have dependent children in the home ----------
• 21% live under someone else’s roof
• $20.00 = cash access today
$9,000.00 Annual median income last year including unemployed
$12,720.00 Annual median income last year if employed
n=225
n=221
n=155
The
Burd
en o
f C
rimin
al J
ustic
e D
ebt i
n A
laba
ma
38
18 30
76 87 98
37 21 8
020406080
100120
Number of People Forgoing Necessities to Pay Fees, Costs, etc.
Yes 15%
No 85%
Had Fees Increase for Non-payment
Yes, 5.0%
No, 95.0%
Has been Jailed for Non-payment
$50.00
$1,350.00
$0.00$200.00$400.00$600.00$800.00
$1,000.00$1,200.00$1,400.00$1,600.00
Monthly Payment Remaining Owed
Median Court Obligations
12 27
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Mobile
Estimated Timeline of Involvement
How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs?
Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total
Mobile Sample: Part Two Fee Obligations Penalties
12 Months
The median amount of time clients have been in the system paying
---------- • 15% have had fees increase because
they fell behind in payments • 5% were jailed for non-payment
• 56% have had to choose between paying the court and paying necessities
93%
Owe fees, court costs, fines, etc. ----------
• 7% owe in more than one court • 11% owe for misdemeanors
50%
Are paying on a regular basis ----------
• 51% borrowed from family and friends
• 6% have used a payday loan to pay
• 2% admit to crime as a funding source
n=229 n=217
The
Burd
en o
f C
rimin
al J
ustic
e D
ebt i
n A
laba
ma
39
6
5
4
3
1
01234567
Annual Income Last Year
40%
25%
35%
Employment
Full Time
Part Time
Unemployed
13
3
4
0
5
10
15
20
African American Caucasian
Gender and Racial Distribution
Male Female
Montgomery Sample: Part One 20 participants
Quality of Life/Ability to Earn Income
60%
Are unemployed or under employed. ----------
• 55% did not graduate high school • 65% do not have a car • 65% do not have a driver’s license
30%
Have dependent children in the home ----------
• 63% live under someone else’s roof
• $5.00 = cash access today
$3,500.00 Annual median income last year including unemployed
$6,000.00 Annual median income last year if employed
n=20
n=20
n=19
The
Burd
en o
f C
rimin
al J
ustic
e D
ebt i
n A
laba
ma
40
4
9 13 13 13
10
5 3
02468
101214
Number of People Forgoing Necessities to Pay Fees, Costs, etc.
Yes 33%
No 67%
Had Fees Increase for Non-payment
Yes, 22.0%
No, 78.0%
Has been Jailed for Non-payment
$65.00
$3,800.00
$0.00$500.00
$1,000.00$1,500.00$2,000.00$2,500.00$3,000.00$3,500.00$4,000.00
Monthly Payment Remaining Owed
Median Court Obligations
48 58
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Montgomery
Estimated Timeline of Involvement
How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs?
Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total
Montgomery Sample: Part Two Fee Obligations Penalties
48 Months
The median amount of time clients have been in the system paying
---------- • 33% have had fees increase because
they fell behind in payments • 22% were jailed for non-payment
• 80% have had to choose between paying the court and paying necessities
90%
Owe fees, court costs, fines, etc. ----------
• 50% owe in more than one court • 47% owe for misdemeanors
63%
Are paying on a regular basis ----------
• 55% borrowed from family and friends
• 16% have used a payday loan to pay
• 17% admit to crime as a funding source
n=18 n=18
The
Burd
en o
f C
rimin
al J
ustic
e D
ebt i
n A
laba
ma
41
1
2
5
2 2 2
1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Annual Income Last Year
48% 52%
Employment
Full Time
Unemployed
3 1
15
2
0
5
10
15
20
African American Black/ West Indian Caucasian
Gender and Racial Distribution Male Female
St. Clair Sample: Part One 22 participants
Quality of Life/Ability to Earn Income
52%
Are unemployed or under employed. ----------
• 41% did not graduate high school • 38% do not have a car • 48% do not have a driver’s license
36%
Have dependent children in the home ----------
• 33% live under someone else’s roof
• $55.00 = cash access today
$8,500.00 Annual median income last year including unemployed
$10,260.00 Annual median income last year if employed
n=21
n=21
n=15
The
Burd
en o
f C
rimin
al J
ustic
e D
ebt i
n A
laba
ma
42
3
8 8 11
13
4 5 1
02468
101214
Number of People Forgoing Necessities to Pay Fees, Costs, etc.
Yes 14%
No 86%
Had Fees Increase for Non-payment
Yes, 22.0%
No, 78.0%
Has been Jailed for Non-payment
$55.00
$5,600.00
$0.00
$1,000.00
$2,000.00
$3,000.00
$4,000.00
$5,000.00
$6,000.00
Monthly Payment Remaining Owed
Median Court Obligations
24 102
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
St. Clair
Estimated Timeline of Involvement
How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs?
Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total
St. Clair Sample: Part Two Fee Obligations Penalties
24 Months
The median amount of time clients have been in the system paying
---------- • 14% have had fees increase because
they fell behind in payments • 23% were jailed for non-payment
• 82% have had to choose between paying the court and paying necessities
91%
Owe fees, court costs, fines, etc. ----------
• 53% owe in more than one court • 41% owe for misdemeanors • 11% owe for misdemeanors in more
than one jurisdiction
84%
Are paying on a regular basis ----------
• 43% borrowed from family and friends
• 17% have used a payday loan to pay
• 14% admit to crime as a funding source
n=22 n=22
The
Burd
en o
f C
rimin
al J
ustic
e D
ebt i
n A
laba
ma
43
10
6 5 5
3
1 1
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Annual Income Last Year
37%
13%
50%
Employment
Full Time
Part Time
Unemployed
13 12
4 3
0
5
10
15
20
African American Caucasian
Gender and Racial Distribution
Male Female
Tuscaloosa Sample: Part One 32 participants
Quality of Life/Ability to Earn Income
63%
Are unemployed or under employed. ----------
• 25% did not graduate high school • 44% do not have a car • 34% do not have a driver’s license
41%
Have dependent children in the home ----------
• 51% live under someone else’s roof
• $100.00 = cash access today
$5,000.00 Annual median income last year including unemployed
$10,000.00 Annual median income last year if employed
n=32
n=30
n=31
The
Burd
en o
f C
rimin
al J
ustic
e D
ebt i
n A
laba
ma
44
3
10 10 15 15
10 6
3
05
101520
Number of People Forgoing Necessities to Pay Fees, Costs, etc.
Yes 37%
No 63%
Had Fees Increase for Non-payment
Yes, 20.0%
No, 80.0%
Has been Jailed for Non-payment
$110.00
$2,000.00
$0.00
$500.00
$1,000.00
$1,500.00
$2,000.00
$2,500.00
Monthly Payment Remaining Owed
Median Court Obligations
24 18
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Tuscaloosa
Estimated Timeline of Involvement
How many months have you been in a situation where you owed court costs?
Months remaining at current payment rate to pay total
Tuscaloosa Sample: Part Two Fee Obligations Penalties
24 Months
The median amount of time clients have been in the system paying
---------- • 37% have had fees increase because
they fell behind in payments • 20% were jailed for non-payment
• 63% have had to choose between paying the court and paying necessities
100%
Owe fees, court costs, fines, etc. ----------
• 19% owe in more than one court • 16% owe for misdemeanors
63%
Are paying on a regular basis ----------
• 74% borrowed from family and friends
• 40% have used a payday loan to pay
• 22% admit to crime as a funding source
n=30 n=30