Lawmakers in Richmond are divided about whether people who have outstanding court fees should be able to drive.
More than half a million Virginians currently have their drivers licenses suspended because of outstanding court fines and fees. Republican Senator Bill Stanley of Franklin County says that creates a downward spiral.
“If they get caught for driving on suspended because they’re trying to get to work or get their kids to a doctor then those fines grow and the chances of them getting their license back is even less. What we’re trying to do is collect the fines but not punish people for non-punitive behaviors.”
Stanley is moving forward with a bill that would prevent the suspension of driver’s licenses for outstanding court costs. But Republican Senator Ryan McDougle of Mechanicsville notes that driver’s licenses are suspended when people don’t pay child support. And payment plans are available.
“You can work that off through a level of community service, some payment back to the community of what you owe. So we do have processes in place for people who are indigent or not able to pay the money back.”
Supporters of the bill say it would lead to greater collection of fees because people will be able to get to their jobs and pay the debt. Critics say people should be punished for not making the effort to pay up.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
