The Debt Free Justice California coalition released our joint report on civil assessments, the hidden court fee that penalizes up to one million people each year, disproportionately driving Black and brown people already experiencing poverty deeper into it. Most people cannot afford to pay civil assessments. If survey respondents had to pay the fee on top of their original ticket, 86% said it would affect their ability to pay for food, 75% said utilities, and 65% said rent.
The two page summary of the report is available here.
