Getting Paid: The Hidden Revenues Collected from Families Put Youth at Risk & Impoverish Families

2008 For 20 years California's counties have been legally permitted to bill parents and legal guardians for some costs of county detention, but were only supposed to bill those with the ability to pay. The detention costs are in addition to fees charged by the Juvenile Court and any restitution required by the judge. When the law was passed, it included an ability-to-pay assessment and hardship exclusions. Youth advocates have contested the billing for years. The Youth Justice Coalition sought to present the adverse effects of the practice. They say it is counter productive because it weakens . . .