4. Parsing the Role of Legal, Extralegal, and Local Factors for Legal Financial Obligation Assessments

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

Abstract

Objective: The assessment of legal financial obligations (LFOs) is a routine practice in criminal court processing and punishment that can generate substantial financial burdens for system-involved individuals. LFO assessments are influenced by instant case information, sentencing laws, local policy contexts, and other factors. However, research is less clear on the relative influence of these factors assessments. Such knowledge is vital for identifying the feasibility of reforms to mitigate financial consequences of system involvement. This paper examines how legal, extralegal, and contextual factors drive LFO assessments.
Data/Methods: Data include ten years (2010-2020) of administrative court records from a single state (Pennsylvania). Variables measure legal factors (charge type and count, sentence), extralegal factors (race, gender, age), and contextual factors (county of processing). Multivariable quantitative regression models estimate the impact of each factor on LFO assessment totals.
Results: Preliminary results quantify whether legal, extralegal, or local context variables most strongly influence the total assessed amount within cases.
Conclusions/Implications: The most influential factors on LFO assessments pinpoint targeted areas for reform – legal changes, curtailed discretion, or reduced reliance on LFO revenue for system operations.

Authors

• Kathleen Powell, Drexel University

• Nathan Wong Link, Rutgers University - Camden

• Jordan Hyatt, Drexel University