Faculty Sponsor: Ross Cheit

Fees and fines imposed by courts, known collectively as legal financial obligations (LFOs) are a burden upon low income Americans, particularly those of color, and raise serious ethical questions. In some states, LFO revenues can only be used to fund the court system itself, while in others, revenues contribute to the general fund. Sam will investigate which of these two policies is more effective at reducing the prevalence of court fees and fines. He will compare data on arrests, traffic stops, and other metrics in a state that restricts LFO revenues to the courts, and one that does not.