Posted: | December 7, 2021 10:19 AM |
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From: | Representative Angel Cruz |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Community Service In Lieu of Vehicle Code Fines and Costs |
Today's tenuous job market has made paying fines imposed under Pennsylvania's Vehicle Code increasingly difficult for many individuals. Unpaid traffic citations can lead to late fees, collection agency involvement, license suspensions, and even the issuance of an arrest warrant. Evidence has shown that jailing individuals who fail to post collateral can prevent reentry into the community and participation in local economies. Conversely, alternatives such as community service are geared toward rehabilitation and can have long-term benefits for communities, including workforce contributions. For these reasons, I plan to introduce legislation to allow our courts to order community service upon plea and proof of a person's inability to pay the penalty under the Vehicle Code. Court-ordered community service may be imposed in lieu of payment of up to 50 percent of the fine and costs initially set. Substituting a portion of fines and fees will save the criminal justice system money that would otherwise be spent on collections efforts and will circumvent some of the societal damages caused by long-term imprisonment resulting from an individual's inability to pay. Please join me in ensuring that individuals who are financially struggling are provided with an alternative to paying fines for Vehicle Code violations. |
Introduced as HB2192