Bill to reduce court fines can offer employment stability

Originally published in The Journal Record: Melissa Walton is the executive director of the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Advisory Council.

Throughout my career, I have witnessed how heavy fines and fees imposed on individuals involved in the criminal justice system can create significant financial barriers to their long-term stability. That’s why I’m sincerely glad to see an initiative to reduce fines and fees assigned to criminal defendants moving through the legislature with overwhelming support.

Recently, House Bill 1460 passed the House of Representatives, 95-0. The bill stands to dramatically reduce the financial burden on defendants and thereby break cycles of recidivism or struggles to maintain employment for low-income individuals. If passed, those charged or convicted of certain crimes would be relieved of tens of thousands in fees, which opens up a path to stability for people who want to continue working, supporting their families, and create meaningful change in their lives.

The bill targets seven different fines and fees related to supervision, monitoring, DUI, and drug-related fees. While the relief to defendants is significant, what is more important is the long-term change this bill could usher in. Oklahoma’s court system, compared to others across the nation, is among the most heavily reliant on extracting revenue from people in the justice system. Upwards of 80% of Oklahoma District Courts’ funding is generated from fines and fees.

Read the full opinion editorial here.