How do juvenile court fines and fees impact the financial well-being and emotional experiences of families involved in the justice system?

by Deshawn Leeth

My research project centers on abolishing Michigan fines and fees that affect brown and Black families in Washtenaw County. During this research project, I gathered a quantitative action report from families impacted by the system. We know the juvenile justice system harms mainly Black and brown youth. We know that fines and fees keep kids in the system for longer, and ultimately can lead them into the adult system. So why give kids a death penalty sentence to stay in the system?