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Mark C. Cogan, P.C. > Blog > General > Even After Gaining Their Freedom, People With Criminal Convictions Bear a Crushing Financial Burden

Even After Gaining Their Freedom, People With Criminal Convictions Bear a Crushing Financial Burden

According to the Brennan Center for Justice, more and more prisoners reentering society after incarceration are struggling with criminal justice debt as states continue to increase rates of excessive fees, collection fines, and restitution.

These charges are justified as “user fees” to fund the criminal justice system. However, due to increasing demand, low-income Americans are being struck with debt that could immediately send released prisoners back to confinement. With increased debts, citizens are unable to support themselves economically, causing the reincarceration of many.

For those imprisoned, time within a penitentiary can already prove to be expensive, as simply living within a jail cell carries a price. Freedom is limited for many prisoners, as additional fees eliminate future independence for those who have served their time.

In the state of Florida, unpaid fees and court costs are being used against individuals to deprive them of their right to vote. Many believe this to be dehumanizing, as prior criminal convictions should not mean a citizen must be stripped of their right to vote. Data show that systemic racism and racial bias plays a large part in who is targeted for court warrants, expanded uses of fines, and municipal fees. This discrimination causes Black residents to have higher chances of being reincarcerated for unpaid debts.

The key to putting a stop to harmful criminal justice fines is to prevent states from having the authority of arresting freshly released convicts upon failure to pay their debt, and to also eliminate public defender fees. If legislatures proceed to put an end to these charges, freed individuals will regain their right to vote despite prior convictions or unpaid criminal justice fees. More leniency, as well as economic strength, and elimination of racial bias, can provide Americans the ability to eliminate debt prisons, and to allow freedom and opportunity for all released prisoners.

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By Mark C. Cogan, P.C. | Posted on March 11, 2021
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在Mark C. Cogan律師事務所的律師和員工們喜歡與我們的國際客戶合作。在這些案件中，我們取得了非常卓越的成果。

近年來，我們有幸代表了來自世界各地的客戶，包括中國，越南，中東，歐洲和拉丁美洲。

我們有翻譯員和文化專家，以及私人調查員和其他專業人員，可以為我們代表的國際客戶提供重要幫助。我們還有優秀的移民律師，可根據需要進行咨詢。

如果您正在尋求律師為您自己或在俄勒岡州面臨刑事指控的親人辯護，請考慮我們的律師事務所。

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