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Archive: October 2021

National Harm from Suspending Licenses in Response to Unpaid, Unaffordable Court Fines and Fees

October 7, 2021

By Annie Han

Driving is critical for many people in North Carolina. North Carolinians need to drive to work, to take their children to school, and to complete other everyday tasks like grocery shopping and attending to their health. But, … Continue Reading →

Wilson Center Releases New Report on NC Fines, Fees, and Driver’s License Suspensions

September 29, 2021

For some of us, an $80 speeding ticket is an unpleasant inconvenience. Yet for others, particularly those living in poverty, that same ticket can turn into a years-long nightmare of crushing debt and even the loss of their driver’s license … Continue Reading →

Feature: Local DEAR Program Helping Residents Restore Licenses

May 21, 2021

By Ruthie Kesri

The Durham Expunction And Restoration (DEAR) program provides free legal services to in-need Durham residents to file expunction petitions and restore suspended or revoked drivers’ licenses.

DEAR’s mission centers on ensuring all people have equal access to … Continue Reading →

Durham DA Highlights 2020 Successes, Partnerships in Annual Report

March 19, 2021

By Belle Allmendinger

The Durham District Attorney’s office released its 2020 Annual Report on February 18th, demonstrating the incredible work being done on several fronts. From advancing racial equity in the criminal legal system to adapting to socially distant courtrooms, … Continue Reading →

North Carolinians to USCCR: More Has to be Done to Mitigate Impact of Court Fines, Fees

August 14, 2020

North Carolina residents, attorneys and criminal justice reform advocates laid bare Thursday the brutal consequences for defendants who can’t afford to pay court fines and fees to the North Carolina Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights … Continue Reading →

Maher Underscores Importance of Public Defense in Task Force’s Racial Equity Work

July 29, 2020

Duke Center for Science and Justice Executive Director Tom Maher spoke Tuesday to the Governor’s Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice.

The group, which has been working for at least a month, made its first recommendations last week … Continue Reading →

Washington Post Weighs in on New Bill About Suspended Driver’s Licenses

July 20, 2020

The Washington Post editorial board weighed in recently about the unfair practice of suspending driver’s licenses over nonpayment of court fines and fees, calling the policy “self-defeating” to public safety.

Last week, the Senate introduced the bipartisan Driving for Opportunity … Continue Reading →