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Cost of traffic fines, fees limiting opportunities for thousands of Memphians

By , Daily Memphian Updated: September 17, 2018 4:01 PM CT | Published: September 17, 2018 10:12 AM CT
<strong>Caitlin Mayo and her son, Declan, 2, wait in line for traffic court on Monday, Aug. 13. Rising traffic and license fees are a heavy burden for many Memphians,&nbsp; creating an impossible situation for many working poor who can't pay their fees without work and can't find work without a driver's license.</strong> (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)

Caitlin Mayo and her son, Declan, 2, wait in line for traffic court on Monday, Aug. 13. Rising traffic and license fees are a heavy burden for many Memphians, creating an impossible situation for many working poor who can't pay their fees without work and can't find work without a driver's license. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)

About 18,000 times each year, the state of Tennessee suspends the driver’s license of a Shelby County resident for failure to pay traffic fines and fees, according to data obtained by the nonprofit advocacy organization Just City. A disproportionate number of those drivers are black, making the fines a social justice issue, said Just City executive director Josh Spickler.

Topics

Aleta A. Trauger Berlin Boyd Ed Stanton Josh Spickler Just City Memphis City Council Shelby County ShelbyGeneral Sessions Court Travis Green
Yolanda Jones

Yolanda Jones

Yolanda Jones covers criminal justice issues and general assignment news for The Daily Memphian. She previously was a reporter at The Commercial Appeal.

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