Since its founding 30 years ago, the Institute for Justice has fought to defend the rights of property owners. As local governments are faced with budget shortfalls, they are turning to excessive fines and fees code violations to bridge the gap in their budget deficits. Instead of protecting the lives and rights of their residents, these municipalities and counties are using their residents to make up for shortfalls in their budget and revenue. But budget shortfalls from municipalities should not be remedied on the back of their property owners.
The Institute for Justice is the nation’s leader in litigating against excessive fines and code enforcement abuse. IJ litigation led to the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Timbs v. Indiana, in which the Court held that the U.S. Constitution’s protection against excessive fines applies to state and local governments.
In 2020, the Institute for Justice published Municipal Fines and Fees: A 50-State Survey of State Laws, which is the first comprehensive accounting of state laws relating to municipal fines and fees and highlights the nationwide issue of fines and fees abuse. Cities and towns using their power to enforce traffic, property code and other ordinances to raise revenue rather than solely to protect the public. This “taxation by citation” creates conflicts of interest, warps police priorities, and violates the rights of ordinary Americans, especially those who don’t have the means to defend themselves in court.
Simply put, police must serve and protect, not ticket and collect.
Code Enforcement
Too many cities have weaponized their municipal codes, giving them an excuse to harass and fine innocent homeowners.
Speed Traps and Impound Rackets
By aggressively enforcing traffic laws, local government can generate revenue from ticketing drivers and impounding their cars.
Excessive Fines Clause
The Eighth Amendment’s ban on imposing “excessive fines” is a vital constitutional protection.
Model Legislation
Model Fines and Fees Reporting Act
Curbing taxation by citation starts by collecting data. This model legislation creates a publicly-available reporting system that tracks all fines and fees activity.
Model Driver’s License Suspensions and Revocations Act
Suspending and revoking licenses to collect court debt is a harmful public policy that affects 11 million Americans. Losing a license, even temporarily, jeopardizes a person’s ability to support themselves and their family.
Model Fines and Fees at Sentencing Act
This model legislation requires courts to consider an offenders ability to pay before imposing sentences that include fines and fees. It also offers the option to perform community service or use payment plans.
Fines and Fees Cases
Lawsuit Challenges Department of Labor’s Use of Administrative Law Judges to Hand Down Ruinous Fines
When the Department of Labor decided to fine Chuck Saine tens of thousands of dollars, Chuck did not get to make his case to a jury of his peers—or even a real federal judge. Instead,…
Fines and Fees Legislation
Fines and Fees | Private Property
Fair Funding for Courts Act
The justice system is a core government function that benefits all Americans. State legislators should fund courts from general revenue, not from individuals involved in the system. Fees charged to users of the judicial system…
Fines and Fees
Fines and Fees Reporting Act
Most municipalities allow law or code enforcement officers to cite residents for violations that may result in fines. Unfortunately, some use this power to generate revenue rather than solely to protect public safety and property.
Fines and Fees Research
Code Enforcement | Fines and Fees | Private Property
Are Municipal Fines and Fees Tools of Stategraft?
Most, if not all, incorporated communities in the United States have municipal and traffic codes that delineate the powers and duties of local governments or provide rules and regulations for public activity in the community.
Code Enforcement | Fines and Fees | Private Property
A Case Study of Municipal Taxation by Citation
This study examines taxation by citation—local governments using code enforcement and the justice system to raise revenue rather than solely to advance public health and safety. It does so through a detailed case study of…