Creating a Comprehensive Index of Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs) in Pennsylvania

• In Event: A Multifaceted Exploration of Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs) in Philadelphia

Abstract

Objective: To determine the landscape of LFOs in Pennsylvania and better understand the many fines, fees, costs, and surcharges listed within the Pennsylvania statutes and imposed by the court and various local criminal justice agencies.

Data/Methods: Using a systematic and comprehensive legal and regulatory review of Pennsylvania statutes, court and court-adjacent program documentation, prior limited LFO indices, and conversations with court staff and service providers, all known LFOs were compiled into an “LFO Index” and classified by function and intent.

Results: The resulting LFO Index includes hundreds of unique LFOs that, to this point, had not been systematically documented. Broadly, the LFOs include statutory fines, fees-for-service, court and treatment costs, supervision fees, and restitution, all of which vary greatly in terms of their amounts, degree of discretion, and purpose.

Conclusions/Implications: This project illuminates the constellation of LFOs and can provide a first-of-its-kind foundation to aid policymakers and practitioners in their efforts to adjust or scale back their usage. The project also affords the consideration of the full range of LFOs (some of which have been relatively hidden to this point) that impact people and communities.

Authors

• C. Clare Strange, Drexel University

• Steven L. Chanenson, Villanova University

• Jordan Hyatt, Drexel University

• Nate Link, Rutgers University, Camden