The Cycle Of Ticket Debt - Texas Fair Defense Project

The Cycle Of Ticket Debt
1
IT STARTS WITH A TICKET...
And before you know it, you are caught in a
cycle of accumulating debt and loss of
independence. Each year thousands of Texans
find themselves behind bars in modern day
“debtors’ prison,” even though it is illegal to be
jailed for the inability to pay fines and fees. The
repercussions of this cycle impact families,
communities, and the government services that
these low-income Texans are ultimately forced to
depend on.
5a
You receive a traffic
ticket or other
minor citation.
TEXAS
TEXAS
ABC
ABC 1234
1234
THE LONE STAR STATE
THE LONE STAR STATE
2
You are not able to
pay the citation, and
the debt adds up
from additional fees.
CLASSIFIEDS
CLASSIFIEDS
JOBS
JOBS
If you stop driving, you
will likely lose your job,
making you even less
able to pay your
citations. Without a car,
your options for work
are little to none in
many areas.
5b
3
If
If aa ticket
ticket is
is not
not paid:
paid:
You receive
a hold on
your
license and
registration
until your
debts are
paid
DRIVER LICENSE
Texas
DRIVER LICENSE
Texas12345678
12345678
01/23/2015
01/23/2015 01/23/2015
01/23/2015
Driver
Driver
Texan
Texan
Address
Address
AA
5-11
5-11
ABC
4a
MM
TEXAS
TEXAS
PP
BB
1234
+
THE LONE STAR STATE
THE LONE STAR STATE
4b
Driver
Driver must
must decide
decide whether
whether to:
to:
STOP DRIVING
KEEP DRIVING
NNTT
A
A
RR
R
R
AA
W
W
The court
will issue
an arrest
warrant
for the
debt.
4c
If you continue to
drive without a valid
license or
registration, your car
is a moving target
and you will likely be
pulled over. The
officer will either
write you more
tickets, take you to
jail, or both.
+ JOB LOSS
+ POVERTY
+ STIGMA
You’re suddenly jailed for days, weeks, or
months depending on how much you owe.
You may lose your job, housing, and even
your children while behind bars.
www.fairdefense.org