Settlement Reached in Michigan Will Benefit Tens of Thousands

We have reached a settlement in an important case in Michigan.  In 2018, Equal Justice Under Law sued the state for suspending driver’s licenses of individuals unable to pay their court debt.  Tens of thousands of individuals in Michigan had their driver’s license suspended due to unpaid court debt, and no procedure was in place to differentiate between individuals who did not pay willfully and those who could not pay due to poverty.  For those unable to pay, a driver’s license suspension meant remaining trapped in an inescapable cycle of poverty.  Not having a license makes it more difficult to earn money to pay off debts.  This irrational system further reduced individuals’ ability to care for their children and family members, obtain necessary medical treatment, and effectively serve their communities.

One of the plaintiffs in this case, Adrian Fowler, is a single mother. She accumulated court fines and costs totaling over $1,200 due to several tickets for traffic civil infractions, and she was unable to pay.  Her license was suspended as a result.  Ms. Fowler shared, “Because I cannot drive legally…I struggled to find a job in the city that pays well, and I ended up with a minimum-wage, part-time position that does not even cover my basic monthly expenses.” She earns only $712 per month in this job, while also caring for her three-year-old daughter, so the $1,200 of debt was insurmountable.

Thanks to the settlement reached in this case, individuals in Michigan who cannot pay their court debts will now be notified of an inability to pay provision.  For those unable to pay, an alternative will be arranged, such as community service or workforce development training, and their licenses will no longer be suspended.  Without our lawsuit, people in Michigan would continue to be punished for being poor.  Additionally, the Michigan legislature is currently working on a complete repeal of the license suspension program, and this initiative was likely spurred by the lawsuit.

Phil Telfeyan, founder and Executive Director of Equal Justice Under Law, states, “This settlement is not the end of the fight for the people of Michigan, but it’s a great step in the right direction. Punishing people for being unable to pay is unconstitutional and counterproductive. We are pleased that our lawsuit resulted in license suspension policies becoming more fair and equitable.”