2. Assessing ARD Participant Views: Preliminary Results from a Multi-wave Survey

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

Abstract

Objective: To assess ARD participants’ perceptions of and beliefs about fines, fees, costs, and restitution across six key domains: procedural justice, system legitimacy, employment and financial well-being, reliance on public assistance, health, and progress through the ARD program.

Data/Methods: We report preliminary, descriptive analysis of data from a three-wave survey of ARD participants (i.e., wave 1 = prior to group assignment, wave 2 = the first three months of ARD supervision, wave 3 = at or near the end of their supervision). We compare perceptions across these domains between those in the treatment and control groups.

Results: We find and report on meaningful differences and interesting patterns between the intervention and comparison groups vis-à-vis several of the six domains of the survey.

Conclusions/Implications: This study complements the existing qualitative literature by providing a new data point on how LFOs and their application are perceived by those subjected to them. The results taken together suggest that participants’ views on LFOs are nuanced, though in many cases LFOs are viewed as unfair or too burdensome. Interventions such as fee waivers or elimination hold promise as mechanisms to improve perceptions of criminal justice processes.

Authors

• Nathan Wong Link, Rutgers University - Camden

• Clare Strange, Drexel University

• Jordan Hyatt, Drexel University

• Kathleen Powell, Drexel University