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Fines and fees from the justice system can haunt you, even long after your case is closed. If you've paid fines and fees, or gone into debt over them, we want to hear from you.
Share your story and help transform our criminal legal system's approach to monetary sanctions.
We are conducting interviews through the summer of 2026.
Learn more about participating here
Background
Research at both the local and national level has shown that involvement at all stages of the criminal legal system can have long-lasting financial consequences. From a first interaction with law enforcement, through court proceedings, to any period of supervision, people can accumulate fines and fees that are difficult to shake.
The Minnesota Justice Research Center (MNJRC) is conducting a qualitative study to understand people's real experiences with these financial burdens and inform policy decisions that reflect the needs of our community.
The Project
This project is part of our broader policy work in partnership with the Policy Advocacy Clinic at UC Berkeley and the Fines and Fees Justice Center. Our goal is to better understand the full weight of fines and fees on people's lives — including what makes them hard to pay (whether that's the amounts themselves, confusing processes, or other barriers), how long their effects can linger, and where policy changes could make the biggest difference.
What's Next
We're currently in the early stages: reaching out to people across the state, having one-on-one conversations, and building a network of individuals to connect with for in-depth interviews.
You can support this project and others by donating to the Minnesota Justice Research Center. Your contributions make a difference in how we're able to do our work.
Research Team
Research Director, MNJRC
Policy Director, MNJRC
Research Manager
Research Assistant
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