rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/end-debtors-prison-in-delaware?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-end-debtors-prison-in-delaware' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> Network Delaware https://actionnetwork.org/groups/network-delaware https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/letters/photos/000/098/145/normal/CEDP_Flyer-page-00112555.jpg In 2018 alone, there were over 205,000 criminal or traffic cases filed in Delaware. Over 95% of those filings were for misdemeanor crimes or violations, petty offenses. For people with money, these small mistakes result in a slap on the wrist. However, for people without money, even the most minor of violations turns into a life sentence of debt and poverty due to fines and fees imposed by Delaware’s courts. It’s time for that system to change. In Delaware, anytime a person is found guilty of a criminal or traffic offense, they are imposed a series of fees. These can be significant-- often turning a $50 fine into a $300 bill. Currently, Delaware Courts impose these fines without any consideration of someone’s ability to pay.   Defendants that are unable to pay their court costs then face harsh consequences. In 2017, Delaware issued 44,889 warrants for the arrest of persons solely because they had not paid court costs on non-felony offenses. In the first 6 months of 2018, Delaware sentenced 129 people to jail only because they could not pay court costs. Delaware is spending money to punish people for having no money.   The consequences do not just stop with arrests and incarceration. Delaware is one of 48 states that suspends driver’s licenses for unpaid court fines and fees. We cannot expect people to support their families, let alone pay their court debt, if we take away their ability to get to work. Suspending drivers’ licenses for lack of payment is simply self-defeating. Five key changes can help fix the system. Make courts analyze a person’s ability to pay before issuing fines and fees Cease suspending drivers’ licenses for inability to pay fines and fees Ban courts from issuing late fees for unpaid fines and fees Make municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and the courts track and disclose how much of their budgets come from fines and fees Create a consolidated system by which people can see how much they owe in court costs and easily make payments. Let your legislators know that you support fines and fees reform! https://actionnetwork.org/letters/end-debtors-prison-in-delaware