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A Future Shouldn't be Fined

Debt Free Justice is the only campaign that’s leading a national effort to support those who are actively advocating for policy change to abolish fees and fines in the juvenile justice system. 

Youth fines and fees are harmful, unjust, and have lifelong consequences.

At every point in the juvenile justice system, a young person can be charged fees for an electronic ankle monitor, detention, probation supervision, and even a public defender. These fees and fines disproportionately impact Black, Brown, and Indigenous people who are over represented and over-punished in the justice system.  
There are other ways to fund the juvenile justice system that are not harmful, and need to be implemented nationwide. 

The Broken System of Juvenile Fines and Fees

Impacted individuals, their loved ones and, advocates speak about the debilitating effects of juvenile fees and fines, and what our campaign is doing to address this problem. 

Portrait of Aiden Decker

Stories Can Change a System

Abandoned, abused, and incarcerated; Aiden is an 18-year-old survivor preparing to build a family, rebuild his life. The only thing holding him back is the juvenile justice system, which has laden him with thousands of dollars of debt.

End This Practice, Join Our Campaign

Advocate In Your State

We work at the local, state, and federal levels to abolish juvenile fees and fines through policy advocacy, litigation, and research, and by connecting a community of like-minded advocates. Explore what action is being taken state-by-state. 

Get Advocacy Support, Make an Account

When you make an account, you can curate a selection of resources and information based on your location and topics related to the juvenile justice system most important to you. You can also add your organization to our directory to join our network of advocates. 

The campaign is managed by:

 

Berkeley logo
NYCL logo
Juvenile Law Center logo

 

With support from:

 

Arnold Ventures logo
Schusterman logo