Juvenile Law Center Releases Report on Harmful Juvenile Fees and Fines Across Pennsylvania
The advocacy organization details how fees and fines in the juvenile justice system harm children and families across the Commonwealth, pushes for their abolition
Philadelphia, PA (October 27, 2025) – Today Juvenile Law Center released a report on the use of harmful fees and fines assessed against children in the juvenile justice system. The report, Heavy Burdens: The Weight of Juvenile Fees and Fines in the Keystone State, explains what juvenile fees and fines are, describes how they are used in counties across Pennsylvania, and makes the case for why the state must abolish them.
The report’s authors, Senior Attorney Nadia Mozaffar and Youth Advocate Aqilah David, hope state legislators read the report and follow the lead of states across the country abolishing juvenile fees and fines. Audacy’s Pat Loeb ran an exclusive covering the report this morning, which you can read here.
“One of the key purposes of the Pennsylvania juvenile system is to help children become responsible and productive,” said Nadia Mozaffar, Senior Attorney for Juvenile Law Center. “But sadly, we continue to harm young people with fees and fines assessed and collected. These push kids further into the system and hurt their chances for rehabilitation and reintegration.”
Tomorrow, the PA House Judiciary Committee and the PA House Committee on Children & Youth will hold a hearing on a bill to end harmful juvenile fees and fines, sponsored by Representative Kinkead (D-Allegheny). House Bill 1385 eliminates the imposition of fines and most court fees and costs for young people in the juvenile justice system. Fees and fines harm young people, families, and undermine community safety. No child should become trapped in the justice system simply because of their or their parents’ inability to pay fees and fines.
“A child shouldn’t become trapped in the justice system simply because of their or their parents’ inability to pay a fine,” said Aqilah David, report author and 2025 Stoneleigh Youth Advocacy Fellow, Juvenile Law Center. “Young people cannot contribute financially to their communities if they are stuck having to pay expensive court fees. This financial strain puts the community in harm’s way; the young person might re-offend because they do not have the financial means. Some young people cannot get their court charges dismissed or have their GPS parole completed until they complete their assigned court fees.”
Juvenile Law Center and fellow advocates strongly urge the Pennsylvania state legislature to stand with youth and families and pass House Bill 1385.
