WA courts ordered 70% fewer court fines and fees between 2018 and 2021 — but disparities remain

By: Moe K. Clark

Outlets: InvestigateWest

Published: January 9, 2025

Words: 1,609

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 1 day ago

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A new study shows that the amount of legal financial obligations ordered by Washington courts decreased by nearly 70% between 2018 and 2021, due in part to new laws limiting the practice and fewer cases filed throughout the pandemic.

But Washington defendants still owe nearly $300 million as of July 2023, according to the state-funded report by the Washington State Center for Court Research, with wide variation across the state for when, how and which …

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