Fines and Fees: Buckle Up (Poor Not Guilty)

{(set: $started to 1)<h1> </h1>} Poor Not Guilty logo with all white capital letters displayed with cardboard texture inside a top left and bottom right bracket

Hello and welcome to <em>Buckle Up</em>. Let's begin. You're a single parent trying to make ends meet and raise healthy, capable children. One of your concerns is maintaining a roof over their heads. You're currently renting a place, and the monthly rent of $$rent is due in 2 weeks: always on the first of the month. You have $$bankAccount in your bank account right now. Thankfully, you have a job which earns you $$dailyWages for a full day of work. You are scheduled to work $daysScheduledToWork days a week. If you work a full week, you earn $$maxWeeklyWages and should be able to pay your monthly rent and afford necessities like the insulin that one of your children needs to manage their diabetes. <em>Note: rates are based on the Florida minimum wage of $8.56/hour, which is more than a dollar over the federal minimum wage.</em> [[Next | Scenario 1]]

{ (set: $restartDisplay to 0) (set: $started to 0)  (set: $name to "C") (set: $numChildren to 5)  (set: $month to "February") (set: $date to 15) (set: $daysPassed to 0)  (set: $bankAccount to 650) (set: $rent to 1000) (set: $rentdue to 0) (set: $daysUntilRentDue to 14) (set: $regularExpenses to 275) (set: $insulinCost to 115) (set: $payDay2 to 0) (set: $payDay3 to 0)  (set: $dailyWages to 70) (set: $daysScheduledToWork to 6) (set: $maxWeeklyWages to $dailyWages * $daysScheduledToWork) (set: $daysOfWorkMissed to 0) (set: $daysOfWorkMissedTotal to 0) (set: $payDay to $dailyWages * (2* $daysScheduledToWork - $daysOfWorkMissed))  (set: $finesIncurred to 0) (set: $finesCount to 0) (set: $finesDue to 0) (set: $currCitationFine to 0) (set: $requestCourtDate to 0)  (set: $feesIncurred to 0) (set: $feesCount to 0) (set: $feesDue to 0) (set: $serviceFee to 25) (set: $currCitationFee to 0) (set: $interestRate to .05) (set: $deductedAmount to 0)   (set: $citationCount to 0) (set: $misdemeanor to 0) (set: $seatbeltCitationFine to 220)  (set: $licenseSuspended to 0) (set: $licenseSuspendedKnown to 0) }

You're at work and it looks like your shift is going to run a little late. You need to leave soon in order to pick up your kids from school on time. {(link: "Leave now and head to the school right away.")[(set: $workChoice to "Leave")(goto: "School pick up")] (link: "Stay to finish up at work before rushing to the school.")[(set: $workChoice to "Stay")(goto: "School pick up")]}

Your kids continue talking about their day as you drive home. You're thinking about what you should make for dinner when... {(live: 2s)[(stop:) <img src="http://poornotguilty.org/play/img/police_light.gif" alt="blue police siren light with rotating white spot to indicate its signaling someone to pull over" title="police siren animated GIF" />] (live: 3s)[(stop:) you notice a flashing light. You're being pulled over! You look down at your speedometer and realize that you are a couple of miles per hour over the speed limit. You pull over to the side of the road and hope that you will be able to convince the officer to let you off with a warning. [[Wait for the officer to approach your vehicle.|Citation 1]] ]}

{ The officer comes around to your side of the car. <span class="dialogue police">Did you realize that you were speeding back there? It's my job to enforce the laws of the road.</span> The officer's tone is stern. Your kids have quieted in the backseat and are listening intently. The officer glances at your kids and notices at the same time as you that one of your children isn't wearing a seatbelt. <span class="dialogue police">This child's seatbelt is not fastened, which is in violation of the seatbelt law. I can let you go with a warning for being over the speed limit, but I am going to have to write you a citation for not abiding the seatbelt laws. </span> (set: $citationCount to it + 1) [[What... is happening...?!? | Citation 1B]] }

{ You can't believe this. Your children must have taken off their seatbelt out of excitement, and they did it without you noticing. <span class="dialogue player">Excuse me, Officer. Can I explain? I didn't realize that my child had removed their seatbelt, but as you can see they are just a little kid. I promise to make sure that it doesn't happen again.</span> The officer cuts you off. <span class="dialogue police">Rules are rules, and I've already written up the citation for the 5 kids in the car. Here you are, hope your day gets better.</span> Your children aren't the only one who are bewildered now...The officer has just handed you a ticket for (set: $currCitationFine to $seatbeltCitationFine*$numChildren) $$currCitationFine. (set: $finesCount to it + 1) (set: $finesIncurred to it + $currCitationFine) } [[Continue |Display dyk 01]]

{ (if: $started is 1)[ <header id="player-info"> <section id="stats"> <article class="header-img"> <img class="calendar" src="http://poornotguilty.org/play/img/Calendar.png" alt="calendar icon" title="calendar icon" /> </article> <article class="current-values"> <article class="data"> <article class="label days-passed">Day $daysPassed</article><article class="value days-passed">$month $date</article> </article> <article class="header-img"> <img class="wallet" src="http://poornotguilty.org/play/img/wallet-full.png" alt="image of wallet with money" title="full wallet" /> </article> <article class="money data"> <article class="label balance">Balance</article><article class="value balance">$$bankAccount</article> </article> <article class="data"> <article class="label rent">Rent</article><article class="value rent">$$rent</article> </article> (if: $finesCount > 0)[<article class="data"><article class="label debt">Fines Due</article><article class="value fine"> $$finesIncurred</article>] (if: $feesCount > 0)[<article class="data"><article class="label debt">Fees Due</article><article class="value fee">$$feesIncurred</article>] (if: $licenseSuspendedKnown > 0 and $licenseSuspended > 0)[<article class="data"><article class="label debt">License</article><article class="value license">Suspended</article> ] </section>  </header> <section id="passageName"> <em>Passage Name (for feedback purposes only)</em>: (print: (passage:)'s name) </section> ] }

The amount on this ticket is outrageous. You're working all the time just trying to make rent and survive. How can you be expected to afford $$currCitationFine? You talk to a friend who urges you to dispute the ticket in court, but it could be weeks before your case is considered and you'll probably have to miss work in order to go. Still, you simply don't have enough money to pay the ticket and don't know when you will. {(link:"Take your case to traffic court.")[(set: $courtChoice to "true")(goto: "Display dyk 13")] (link:"Choose to pay the fine.")[(set: $courtChoice to "false")(goto: "Display dyk 13")]}

(set: $requestCourtDate to 1)You request a court date to appeal the citation and the fine. Now it's time to play the waiting game.(set: $daysPassed to it + 14) [[Continue|Payday 1]]

Going to court seems like it would be more trouble than it's worth and there's no guarantee that you'd even be able to get the ticket dropped. You only have $$bankAccount right now, so you'll just have to wait to pay the ticket until you can afford to do so. [[Continue|Display dyk 03]]

After a bit of waiting, it's finally time to see the judge. You explain what happened. The officer who issued the citation didn't make it today to share their side of the story in court, so the judge takes you at your word and dismisses all the charges. You're down a day's pay, but you've just had $$currCitationFine dropped! (set: $feesCount to it + 1) <img src="http://poornotguilty.org/play/img/court.png" alt="Image of a judge's gavel" title="court" /> [[Shall we call that a victory? | Scenario 2 Fees A]] {(set: $finesIncurred to it - $currCitationFine) (set: $feesIncurred to 600) (set: $feesCount to it + 1) (set: $feesDue to it + $feesIncurred)}

<h1>Hard to believe? Listen to Celeste's true story.</h1> <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/878861015/878870754" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"></iframe>

It only makes sense that the unjust fine was dropped! You're feeling relieved and grateful that you decided to fight the excessive ticket you received...but then you're told that you still have to pay court fees! <img src="http://poornotguilty.org/play/img/Court-fee.png" alt="Image of an envelope with a paper sticking out labeled COURT FEE" title="court fee" /> Traffic court is highway robbery. You missed a day of work and lost out on $$dailyWages of wages so you could get the outrageous $$currCitationFine in fines dropped... only to incur $$feesIncurred in court fees. [[Damned if you do, damned if you don't, right? |Display dyk 04]]

(set: $monthlyFee to ($feesIncurred/12)) Even though $$feesIncurred is a lot less than what you would have had to pay for the ticket, it's still more money than you can spare. Rent is due again in a few weeks, and you still have to pay for other essentials, like your child's insulin. You inform the court clerk that you don't have $$feesIncurred to spare right now. <span class="dialogue clerk">Ok, then I'm going to put you on this payment plan. You will have to pay a $$serviceFee service fee today and then $$monthlyFee every month until it's paid off. The first payment will be due three weeks from now and then on the same day every month going forward.</span> (link: "It doesn't seem like you have much of a choice...")[(set: $currCitationFee to it + $feesIncurred)(goto: "Display dyk 05")]

<section class="days-passed">7 days later (live: 1s)[(stop:).] (live: 2s)[(stop:).] (live: 3s)[(stop:).] (live: 4s)[(stop:).] (live: 5s)[(stop:).] (live: 6s)[(stop:).] (live: 7s)[(stop:).]</section> (live: 7s)[(stop:)Your first payment towards your court fee payment plan is due today. But you also need to buy your child's insulin. The amount due for the payment plan is $$monthlyFee and the insulin costs $$insulinCost. You have a pay day coming up in a couple of days, but after that you still have to make rent on the first of the month. You don't want to miss a court fee payment because you don't want your license to be suspended. But you also need to be able to provide for your child's medical needs. Of course, if you can't drive, you can't get to work or get your kids to school. Not driving isn't a realistic option either. You don't know what to do, but you have to make a decision right now. { (link: "Ask your child to ration their insulin so you can make your court fee payment.")[(set: $bankAccount to it - $monthlyFee)(set: $insulin to "false")(goto: "Ask child to ration insulin")] (link: "Buy insulin and risk having your license suspended for missing your payment.")[(set: $bankAccount to it - $insulinCost)(set: $licenseSuspended to 1)(set: $insulin to "true")(goto: "Buy insulin")]}]

<section class="days-passed">7 days later (live: 1s)[(stop:).] (live: 2s)[(stop:).] (live: 3s)[(stop:).] (live: 4s)[(stop:).] (live: 5s)[(stop:).] (live: 6s)[(stop:).] (live: 7s)[(stop:).]</section> (live: 7s)[(stop:)You're on your way to work just like any other day. (if: $licenseSuspended is 1)[Even if your license is suspended, you are reliant on your car to get to work and to take your kids to school, which is technically how you got into this mess. You don't blame your daughter, she was being a kid. That police officer and the traffic court system are the problem.] Just as you approach the intersection, the stoplight turns yellow. It's too late to safely stop, so you continue through the intersection as the light turns red. (live: 3s)[(stop:)Suddenly, you see police lights pulling you over. <img src="http://poornotguilty.org/play/img/police_light.gif" alt="blue police siren light with rotating white spot to indicate its signaling someone to pull over" title="police siren animated GIF" /> [[This cannot be happening... | Pulled over for red light]]] ]

{<section class="visual-sidebar"> <article class="visual"> <img class="rent-due" src="http://poornotguilty.org/play/img/apartment.gif" alt="house with animated dollar sign coming out of chimney" title="house with dollar sign indicating rent is due" /> </article> <article class="story-content"> } {It feels like first of the month comes faster and faster all the time. It's time to pay $$rent towards rent. (set: $bankAccount to it - $rent) (set: $daysPassed to it + 7) } [[At least you don't have to worry about housing.|Scenario 4]] </article> </section>

As you hand over your license and registration, you have a flashback to the seatbelt incident and are feeling crowded and nauseous. You are a single mom just trying to take care of your $numChildren kids by providing them an education and a roof over their heads. You begin to panic thinking about how much more money you might owe for being pulled over. Thanks to free lunch at school, you know your kids won't go hungry - at least not all the time. Maybe the officer will just let you off with a warning. Seems only fair. The light was definitely yellow when you entered the intersection. [[Continue | Officer runs license.]]

<span class="dialogue player">Hello, officer. How are you today? ... I just wanted to explain that when my car was approaching the intersection, the light was just turning yellow and it seemed safest to continue through the light. I believe it turned red only after I was right below the light. I promise to be extra careful in the future."</span> [[Wait for the officer's response. | Police checks license.]]

<span class="dialogue police"> Hello. I saw you ran that red light. Please show me your driver's license and registration.</span> There are probably understanding and kind officers out there, but you seem not to encounter them. { [[Hand over your license and registration.]] [[Try to explain that it was yellow light.]] }

<span class="dialogue police"> That's not how I saw it. License and registration please.</span> [[Hand over your license and registration.]]

(if: $licenseSuspended is 1)[<span class="dialogue police">I just ran your license. Are you aware that your license is suspended?</span>{(set: $licenseSuspendedKnown to 1)} <img src="http://poornotguilty.org/play/img/suspended_license.png" alt="image of a driver's license with red text across the front that says SUSPENDED" title="suspended license" />](else-if: $courtChoice is "true")[<span class="dialogue police">I see here that you have outstanding court fees that haven't been fully paid off.</span>](else:)[<span class="dialogue police">You must know that you have an unpaid citation for $$currCitationFine.</span>] You are starting to panic...You take a deep breath and try to manage your anxiety. { (if: $licenseSuspended is 1)[(link:"Take a deep breathe...")[(goto:"Citation for driving with suspended license.")]] (else-if: $courtChoice is "true")[(link:"Take a deep breathe...")[(goto:"Another ticket")]] (else:)[(link:"Just Breathe.")[(goto:"Unpaid citation")]] }

<span class="dialogue police"> Ma'am, I have on record here that you missed your first payment plan deadline. Because of that, you have been driving on a suspended license. I was going to only write you a citation for running a red light, but now I also have to write you a citation for driving with a suspended license, which is a misdemeanor."</span> [[Another citation will all but break you.|Epilogue Variables]]

<section id="didyouknow"> <h1>Did You Know</h1> <article>Tickets for child restraint violations tend to be more expensive than adult seatbelt tickets. <em>Fines for children</em> typically range from about $25 to $500 compared to <em>fines for adults</em>, which usually range from about $10 to $150, with most states being at the lower end of the spectrum.</article> <article class="source">Source: <a href="https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/seatbelt-and-child-car-seat-laws.html" target="_blank">Nolo Network</a></article> </section>

<section id="didyouknow"> <h1>Did You Know</h1> <article>17% percent of adults in the U.S. are not able to pay all of their current month’s bills in full.</article> <article class="source">Source: <a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/files/2018-report-economic-well-being-us-households-201905.pdf" target="_blank">U.S. Federal Reserve's Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2018 (May 2019)</a></article> </section>

<section id="didyouknow"> <h1>Did You Know</h1> <article>4 out of 10 adults are either unable to pay their bills or are one modest financial setback, such as an unexpected $400 expense, away from economic hardship.</article> <article class="source">Source: <a href="https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/seatbelt-and-child-car-seat-laws.html" target="_blank">Nolo Network</a> and <a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/files/2018-report-economic-well-being-us-households-201905.pdf" target="_blank">U.S. Federal Reserve's Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2018 (May 2019)</a></article> </section>

<section id="didyouknow"> <h1>Did You Know</h1> <article><em>What's the difference between fines and fees?</em></article> <article><strong>Fines</strong> are monetary sanctions imposed upon conviction for violations of law. <strong>Fees</strong>, by contrast, are intended to raise revenue and are often imposed, even if a person is acquitted of (freed of) the charge. In most cases, fees are intended to shift the costs of the criminal justice system and other government services from taxpayers to defendants, regardless of guilt.</article> <article class="source">Source: <a href="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/steep-costs-criminal-justice-fees-and-fines" target="_blank">Brennan Center report on "The Steep Costs of Criminal Justice Fees and Fines"</a></article> </section>

<section id="didyouknow"> <h1>Did You Know</h1> <article>Florida increased its court fees in 2008 as a way to address the state's fiscal crisis. Florida also has eliminated exemptions traditionally granted to those who cannot afford to pay court fees. Instead of allowing judges to waive or reduce fees, the court clerks negotiate payment plans, adding a surcharge for paying overtime. And it's not just Florida. </article> <article class="source">Source: Brennan Center's <a href="https://www.brennancenter.org/sites/default/files/legacy/Justice/FloridaF&F.pdf" target="_blank">The hidden costs of Florida’s criminal justice fees report (2010)</a> and <a href="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/court-fees-revenue" target="_blank">"Court Fees as Revenue?"</a> </article> </section>

<section id="didyouknow"> <h1>Did You Know</h1> <img src="http://poornotguilty.org/play/img/Income.png" alt="Image of an check with words INCOME written on it" title="paycheck image" /> <article>Around 78% of U.S. workers are living paycheck to paycheck.</article> <article class="source">Source: <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/2019/01/11/live-paycheck-to-paycheck-government-shutdown/#63bf8d3b4f10" target="_blank">Forbes</a> </article> </section>

<section id="didyouknow"> <h1>Did You Know</h1> <article>45% of Americans have no access to public transportation.</article> <article class="source">Source: <a href="https://www.apta.com/news-publications/public-transportation-facts/" target="_blank">American Public Transportation Association</a> (APTA) </article> </section>

<section id="didyouknow"> <h1>Did You Know</h1> <img class="license-img" src="http://poornotguilty.org/play/img/driver-license.png" alt="icon of driver license with suggested photo and text" title="icon of a driver's license" /> <article>Since 86% of Americans drive to work and many jobs require a driver’s license, suspensions often cost people their jobs. Without a driver’s license, people can’t take their children to school, get to the grocery store, or even get the healthcare they need for themselves and their families.</article> <article class="source">Source: <a href="https://finesandfeesjusticecenter.org/campaigns/national-drivers-license-suspension-campaign-free-to-drive/" target="_blank">Fines and Fees Justice Center</a> </article> </section>

<section id="didyouknow"> <h1>Did You Know</h1> <img class="license-img" src="http://poornotguilty.org/play/img/driver-license.png" alt="icon of driver license with suggested photo and text" title="icon of a driver's license" /> <article>41 states and D.C. suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew driver’s licenses for unpaid traffic, toll, misdemeanor and felony fines and fees, resulting in more than <strong>11 million debt-related suspensions</strong> nationwide. These suspensions not only prevent people from earning the money they need to pay their “court debt,” but also undercut their ability to support themselves, their families, and the community.</article> <article class="source">Source: <a href="https://finesandfeesjusticecenter.org/campaigns/national-drivers-license-suspension-campaign-free-to-drive/" target="_blank">Fines and Fees Justice Center</a> and the <a href="https://www.freetodrive.org/maps" target="_blank">Free to Drive</a> campaign </article> </section>

<section class="days-passed">7 days later (live: 1s)[(stop:).] (live: 2s)[(stop:).] (live: 3s)[(stop:).] (live: 4s)[(stop:).] (live: 5s)[(stop:).] (live: 6s)[(stop:).] (live: 7s)[(stop:).]</section> (live: 7s)[(stop:)It's finally your day in traffic court. You put in extra effort getting ready so that you are taken seriously and treated with respect in court. Unfortunately, you also have to take the day off from work. You didn't do anything wrong, and yet it's already costing you. (set: $daysOfWorkMissed to it + 1) [[Drive to the courthouse. |Display dyk 02]]]

{<section class="visual-sidebar"> <article class="visual"> <img class="rent-due" src="http://poornotguilty.org/play/img/apartment.gif" alt="house with animated dollar sign coming out of chimney" title="house with dollar sign indicating rent is due" /> </article> } <article class="story-content"> You now have $$bankAccount, but rent is also due today. You also have your regular{<span class="text_link">(link:"expenses")[(goto: "Expenses")]</span>}of $$regularExpenses. You hate to see your balance dip so much right after getting paid, but you're definitely relieved to know you'll have a roof over your family's head for the next month. [[Things could be worse.|Reset 1]] </article> </section>

<section id="didyouknow"> <h1>Did You Know</h1> <img class="license-img" src="http://poornotguilty.org/play/img/suspended_license.png" alt="icon of driver license with suggested photo and text stamped with the word SUSPENDED" title="icon of a driver's license" /> <article>Driver’s license suspensions cost people their livelihoods. 86% of Americans drive to work and many jobs require a driver’s license. Without a license, you can’t take your children to school, buy groceries, or get the healthcare you need. Many people have no choice but to continue driving — meaning they risk more fines and fees, a criminal conviction, and incarceration.</article> <article>Want to see where your state stands? Click and scroll through the <a href="https://www.freetodrive.org/maps/" target="_blank">Free to Drive maps</a> to learn more.</article> <article class="source">Source: <a href=" https://www.freetodrive.org/about/">Free to Drive campaign</a> </article> </section>

It's just not fair that you will have to make monthly payments for the foreseeable future when you never should have been given a ticket in the first place. You're feeling so overwhelmed that you almost miss what the clerk says next: <span class="dialogue">If you miss a payment on the plan, your license will be suspended. Understand? </span> <em>Suspended license?</em> They can't be serious! You don't know how you're going to manage paying these court fees <span="underline">and</span> paying for all of your family's other living expenses, but you also need your car to get to work and get your kids to school. You hope you'll be able to figure out a solution somehow... { (link: "Pay the $25 service fee and enroll in the payment plan.")[(set: $bankAccount to it - 25)(goto: "Display dyk 06")] (link: "Don't pay the service fee for the plan, knowing your license may be suspended.")[(set: $licenseSuspended to 1)(goto: "Display dyk 06")] }

(if: $workChoice is "Leave")[You're a little worried about leaving work when you did, but your scheduled shift was technically over and picking up your kids from school on time is really important.](else-if: $workChoice is "Stay")[You don't want to get in trouble at work, so you stay to finish up. Thankfully, you catch a few lucky lights on the way to the school and only end up being a couple of minutes late.] Your kids pile into the car and start talking about their day. It was Career Day, and they heard from a teacher, nurse, interaction designer, dentist, and marketing executive. Your youngest child was especially excited about... <span class="dialogue child">Meeting a Police Officer! That was the coolest!</span> [[Continue |Hello officer]]

<section class="days-passed">14 days later (live: 1s)[(stop:).] (live: 2s)[(stop:).] (live: 3s)[(stop:).] (live: 4s)[(stop:).] (live: 5s)[(stop:).] (live: 6s)[(stop:).] (live: 7s)[(stop:).]</section> (live: 7s)[(stop:)You continue to drive your kids to school and then yourself to work. You've tried as hard as you can to block out the nightmare of Career Day. Needless to say, your kids were rattled by the whole ordeal. After two weeks, you're still feeling pretty stressed out about your situation... but at least it's pay day!] { (set: $daysOfWorkMissedTotal to it + $daysOfWorkMissed) (set: $daysOfWorkMissed to 0) (set: $daysUnitRentDue to 0) (set: $bankAccount to it + $payDay) } (live:7s)[(stop:)You've earned $$payDay, and it couldn't have come sooner. [[Let's check that account balance. | Rent Due 1]]]

<section class="days-passed">7 days later (live: 1s)[(stop:).] (live: 2s)[(stop:).] (live: 3s)[(stop:).] (live: 4s)[(stop:).] (live: 5s)[(stop:).] (live: 6s)[(stop:).] (live: 7s)[(stop:).]</section> (live: 7s)[(stop:)Your unpaid ticket has been really weighing on your mind. You don't know what will happen if you don't pay it, and you hate having it hang over your head. At work one day, your boss mentions that there's some extra hours available in the coming weeks for anyone looking for overtime pay. You'd have to stay a couple hours longer three days out of the work week, but you'd make an additional $$dailyWages every week. That would bring your weekly take home pay to $(print: $maxWeeklyWages + $dailyWages) But then you wouldn't be able to pick up your kids from school every day. Maybe you could hire a babysitter to pick them up and stay with them until you get home on the days you work late. { (link: "Tell your boss you want the extra hours and increase your weekly earnings.")[(set: $daysScheduledToWork to it + 1)(set: $extraHours to "true")(goto: "Business as usual")] (link: "Pass on the extra hours and keep your regular weekly pay.")[(set: $extraHours to "false")(goto: "Business as usual")] }]

(if: $payDay2 is 0)[<section class="days-passed">7 days later (live: 1s)[(stop:).] (live: 2s)[(stop:).] (live: 3s)[(stop:).] (live: 4s)[(stop:).] (live: 5s)[(stop:).] (live: 6s)[(stop:).] (live: 7s)[(stop:).]</section>] (if: $payDay2 > 0)[It's pay day, and you've earned $$payDay. Remember, $$regularExpenses of your income goes towards go towards your regular{<span class="text_link">(link:"expenses")[(goto: "Expenses")].</span>} (if: $courtChoice is "true")[You wish you hadn't lost out on a day of work when you went to traffic court, but it just couldn't be helped.](else-if: $extraHours is "true")[You made a bit more than usual because of the extra hours you've been putting in, but you also have to pay the babysitter for picking your kids up after school over the past couple of weeks.](else-if: $extraHours is "false")[You wonder if you should have taken the extra hours after all, but it's too late now. Your regular wages will have to do.] [[Continue|Reset 2]]](else:)[(live: 7s)[(stop:)It's pay day, and you've earned $$payDay. Remember, $$regularExpenses of your income goes towards your regular{<span class="text_link">(link:"expenses")[(goto: "Expenses")].</span>} (if: $courtChoice is "true")[You wish you hadn't lost out on a day of work when you went to traffic court, but it just couldn't be helped.](else-if: $extraHours is "true")[You made a bit more than usual because of the extra hours you've been putting in, but you also have to pay the babysitter for picking your kids up after school over the past couple of weeks.](else-if: $extraHours is "false")[You wonder if you should have taken the extra hours after all, but it's too late now. Your regular wages will have to do.] (set: $payDay2 to it + 1) [[Continue|Reset 2]]]]

(if: $extraHours is "true")[You decide that working extra hours is the best way to pay that ticket off anytime soon. You hire a babysitter who agrees to pick up your kids and watch them after school for $40 a week. They gave you a good price, but it will still cut into your overtime earnings more than you would like. But hey, you'll take any extra money you can get right now.](else-if: $extraHours is "false")[You end up deciding that working extra hours won't be worth it in the long run. Babysitter costs add up and you'd rather be able to pick your kids up yourself. You still don't know how you are going to pay off that ticket, but you'll figure something else out.] { (set: $daysPassed to it + 7) [[Carry on with life as usual.|Payday 2]] }

<section class="days-passed">7 days later (live: 1s)[(stop:).] (live: 2s)[(stop:).] (live: 3s)[(stop:).] (live: 4s)[(stop:).] (live: 5s)[(stop:).] (live: 6s)[(stop:).] (live: 7s)[(stop:).]</section> (live: 7s)[(stop:)It's time to buy your child's insulin. With your state insurance, you still need to pay $$insulinCost. (link: "Buy insulin.")[(set: $bankAccount to it - $insulinCost)(set: $insulin to "true")(goto: "Buy insulin")]]

{You buy the insulin that your child needs. (if: $courtChoice is "true")[Your license could be suspended now because you missed a payment, but your child's health is too important to take any chances. You'll just have to be careful when you're driving and find some other way to pay off your court fees.] What other choice is there? (set: $daysPassed to it + 8)} (if: $licenseSuspended is 1)[(link:"Tomorrow is a new day")[(goto:"Display dyk 11")]](else:)[(link:"Tomorrow is a new day.")[(goto: "Payday 3")]]

You can't believe that it's come down to making these types of choices. All this because of a tiny mistake and a ridiculous traffic ticket. Now, you are putting your child's life at risk in order to pay a court fee that you never should have had in the first place. { (set: $daysPassed to it + 8) (set: $bankAccount to it + $payDay - $regularExpenses) (if: $extraHours is "true")[(set: $bankAccount to it - 40)] } [[Things have to work out somehow, right?|Payday 3]]

(if: $payDay3 is 0)[<section class="days-passed">3 days later (live: 1s)[(stop:).] (live: 2s)[(stop:).] (live: 3s)[(stop:).]</section>] (if: $payDay3 is 0)[(live: 3s)[Nothing beats pay day. (if: $extraHours is "true")[Having a little extra for the overtime you've been clocking is nice, but paying part of your extra earnings to the babysitter makes it seem less worth it.](if: $courtChoice is "true")[Of course, even with what you just brought in, there's not enough to pay off your entire court fee and your rent due today.](else-if: $courtChoice is "false")[Of course, even with this pay day, there's not enough to pay off your entire ticket fine and your rent due today.] You also still have to pay $$regularExpenses towards your regular{<span class="text_link">(link:"expenses.")[(goto: "Expenses")]</span>} (set: $payDay3 to it + 1) [[You've got rent to pay.|Rent Due 2]]]](else:)[Nothing beats pay day. (if: $extraHours is "true")[Having a little extra for the overtime you've been clocking is nice, but paying part of your extra earnings to the babysitter makes it seem less worth it.](if: $courtChoice is "true")[Of course, even with what you just brought in, there's not enough to pay off your entire court fee and your rent due today.](else-if: $courtChoice is "false")[Of course, even with this pay day, there's not enough to pay off your entire ticket fine and your rent due today.] You also still have to pay $$regularExpenses towards your regular{<span class="text_link">(link:"expenses.")[(goto: "Expenses")]</span>} [[You've got rent to pay.|Rent Due 2]]]

<span class="dialogue police">I have on record here that you are on a payment plan for a previous incident, and incidentally, it looks like you've only made the first payment so far. This seems to be a pattern with you. I am going to have to write you a citation for running a red light. This will be handled separately from your payment plan."</span> [[Another citation will all but break you.|Epilogue Variables]]

<span class="dialogue police"> Ma'am, I have on record here that you received an overdue citation for violating a seatbelt law. I am going to have to give you another citation for running a red light."</span>

<section id="didyouknow"> <h1>Hard to believe?</h1> <article>The scenario you just experienced is based on a real story. In this particular case, Celeste was issued seat belt tickets in <em>Florida</em>, a state that imposes the second highest number of fees of any state in the country (Ohio is #1). In reality, all it took was one child removing only part of their seatbelt - <em>so that they could wave hello to a police officer from their stopped car</em>. Listen to Celeste's story <a href="https://www.npr.org/transcripts/878861015" target="_blank">(NPR, June 2020)</a>. <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/878861015/878870754" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"></iframe> </article></section> [[Tell me more about these fines and fees. |About Fines and Fees]]

<h1> About Fines and Fees</h1> Imposed <span class="keyword">fines</span> are on traffic, misdemeanor, and felony convictions for adults, as well as children who are in the juvenile justice system. On the other hand, <span class="keyword">fees</span> are mandatory, meaning a judge cannot waive or reduce them even if you are poor and do not have the ability to pay. In Florida, for example, if you do not pay the fines and fees imposed on these convictions or you do not pay toll violation tickets within 30 days, your driver’s license is suspended until you do pay. Inform others about Fines and Fees and invite them to play this Poor Not Guilty challenge. <article class="twitter-button"> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?button_hashtag=#PoorNotGuilty" class="twitter-hashtag-button" data-show-count="false">Share Fines + Fees Challenge</a><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </article> [[Continue |Display dyk 12]]

<img class="license-img" src="http://poornotguilty.org/play/img/suspended_license.png" alt="icon of driver license with suggested photo and text stamped with the word SUSPENDED" title="icon of a driver's license" /> If you drive while your license is suspended and you are stopped by law enforcement: <ul><li>you will be charged with a misdemeanor;</li> <li>more fines and fees will be imposed;</li> <li>and you could be sentenced to jail.</li></ul> Without a valid driver’s license, you are ineligible for car insurance. Once your driving history includes a suspended license, your insurance rates will <em>go up by an average of 60%</em> once your license is reinstated (<a href="https://www.autoinsurance.org/does-a-suspended-license-affect-auto-insurance/" target="_blank">click to see some sample rates</a>). If you want to reinstate a suspended license, you will also have to pay a reinstatement fee. In Florida, the reinstatement fee is around $48 (<a href= "https://www.flhsmv.gov/fees/" target="_blank">FLHSMV, 2021</a>). In addition to suspending your driver’s license, Florida counties are required to contract with private collection agencies to collect unpaid fines and fees. Florida law allows those collection agencies to charge <em>up to 40% of the amount you owe</em> as an additional collection fee. [[What else should I know?]]

(set: $restartDisplay to 0)(display: "Free to Drive stats") [[What can I do to help?]]

<section id="didyouknow"> <h1>Did You Know</h1> <h2>Debt-related driver’s license suspensions make everyday life impossible</h2> <img class="license-img" src="http://poornotguilty.org/play/img/suspended_license.png" alt="icon of driver license with suggested photo and text stamped with the word SUSPENDED" title="icon of a driver's license" /> <article>Currently, 37 states and D.C. still suspend, revoke or refuse to renew driver’s licenses for unpaid traffic, toll, misdemeanor and felony fines and fees. The result: millions of people are struggling to survive with debt-related license suspensions.</article> <article>Driver’s license suspensions cost people their livelihoods. 86% of Americans drive to work and many jobs require a driver’s license. Without a license, you can’t take your children to school, buy groceries, or get the healthcare you need. Many people have no choice but to continue driving — meaning they risk more fines and fees, a criminal conviction, and incarceration.</article> <article>Suspending licenses cuts economic growth. People who can’t work or who lose income due to a suspended license have less money to contribute to the economy and less money to pay off their initial fines and fees — leaving them saddled with court debt for years.</article> <article>License suspensions undermine public safety. When law enforcement uses valuable time to cite, stop, fine and arrest people for driving on a suspended license due to unpaid fines and fees, they have less time to investigate and focus on crimes that endanger people’s lives.</article> <article class="source">Source: <a href="https://www.freetodrive.org" target="_blank">Free to Drive Coalition</a></article> </section>

(display: "dyk 01") [[Continue|Scenario 1 Pay]]

(display: "dyk 03") (set: $daysPassed to it + 14) [[Continue|Payday 1]]

(display: "dyk 02") [[Continue|Scenario 2 Court]]

(display: "dyk 04") [[Continue|Scenario 2 Fees B]]

(display: "dyk 05") [[Continue|Scenario 2 Fees C]]

(display: "dyk 06") (set: $daysPassed to it + 7) [[Continue|Payday 2]]

(display: "dyk 07") { (set: $daysPassed to it + 7) (if: $courtChoice is "true")[(link: "Continue")[(goto:"Payment plan 1")]] (else-if: $courtChoice is "false")[(link: "Continue")[(goto:"Scenario 3 Insulin")]] }

(if: $daysPassed <= 13)[(set: $month to "February")](else-if: $daysPassed <= 44)[(set: $month to "March")](else-if: $daysPassed <= 51)[(set: $month to "April")] (if: $daysPassed is 14 or 45)[(set: $date to 1)] (if: $daysPassed is 15 or 46)[(set: $date to 2)] (if: $daysPassed is 16 or 47)[(set: $date to 3)] (if: $daysPassed is 17 or 48)[(set: $date to 4)] (if: $daysPassed is 18 or 49)[(set: $date to 5)] (if: $daysPassed is 19 or 50)[(set: $date to 6)] (if: $daysPassed is 20 or 51)[(set: $date to 7)] (if: $daysPassed is 21)[(set: $date to 8)] (if: $daysPassed is 22)[(set: $date to 9)] (if: $daysPassed is 23)[(set: $date to 10)] (if: $daysPassed is 24)[(set: $date to 11)] (if: $daysPassed is 25)[(set: $date to 12)] (if: $daysPassed is 26)[(set: $date to 13)] (if: $daysPassed is 27)[(set: $date to 14)] (if: $daysPassed is 28 or 0)[(set: $date to 15)] (if: $daysPassed is 29 or 1)[(set: $date to 16)] (if: $daysPassed is 30 or 2)[(set: $date to 17)] (if: $daysPassed is 31 or 3)[(set: $date to 18)] (if: $daysPassed is 32 or 4)[(set: $date to 19)] (if: $daysPassed is 33 or 5)[(set: $date to 20)] (if: $daysPassed is 34 or 6)[(set: $date to 21)] (if: $daysPassed is 35 or 7)[(set: $date to 22)] (if: $daysPassed is 36 or 8)[(set: $date to 23)] (if: $daysPassed is 37 or 9)[(set: $date to 24)] (if: $daysPassed is 38 or 10)[(set: $date to 25)] (if: $daysPassed is 39 or 11)[(set: $date to 26)] (if: $daysPassed is 40 or 12)[(set: $date to 27)] (if: $daysPassed is 41 or 13)[(set: $date to 28)] (if: $daysPassed is 42)[(set: $date to 29)] (if: $daysPassed is 43)[(set: $date to 30)] (if: $daysPassed is 44)[(set: $date to 31)] (if: $daysPassed is > 30 and $courtChoice is "false")[(set: $licenseSuspended to 1)]

(display: "dyk 11") { (set: $bankAccount to it + $payDay - $regularExpenses) (if: $extraHours is "true")[(set: $bankAccount to it - 40)] } [[Continue|Payday 3]]

(if: $licenseSuspended is 1)[<img class="license-img" src="http://poornotguilty.org/play/img/suspended_license.png" alt="icon of driver license with suggested photo and text stamped with the word SUSPENDED" title="icon of a driver's license" /> Because you were driving on a suspended license, you are arrested. Thankfully, you are eventually released and are able to rejoin your 5 kids. However, you end up with fines and fees for driving on a suspended license and for your arrest itself. (if: $courtChoice is "true")[All of this is on top of the court fees that you still have from when you got your initial citation dropped.](else:)[All of this is on top of the initial citation that you received for the seatbelt law violation.]](else-if: $insulin is "false")[Even though you made sure that you weren't driving on a suspended license by making your monthly court fee payment on time, you still end up with another ticket that you'll have to pay on top of everything else. And because rationing insulin is always a risk, your child ends up having to go to the emergency room shortly after your second traffic violation. Luckily, your child is ultimately okay and leaves the hospital safe and healthy. But you end up with medical bills that you can hardly imagine being able to pay in addition to your new ticket and your earlier court fees.] Nothing about your situation is just or right. [[Continue|Epilogue 1]]

<h1><em>Want to learn more about how debt-related driver's license suspensions make everyday life impossible?</h1></em> Watch this video and then visit <a href="https://www.freetodrive.org" target="_blank">freetodrive.org</a> { <section class="visual-sidebar"> <article class="visual"> <a href="http://freetodrive.org" target="_blank"><img class="freeToDrive" src="http://poornotguilty.org/play/img/Free-to-Drive_logo.png" alt="Free to Drive organization logo which has an abstract road curving from left to right" title="Free to Drive's organization logo" /></a> </article> <article class="freeToDrive"> <article><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b94MPIwNd9s" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></article> } <p><hl><em>How does your state handle debt-related driving restrictions?</em></hl></p> <p>Check out the <a href="https://www.freetodrive.org/maps/#page-content" target+"_blank">story maps</a> on Free to Drive.</p> <p><hl><em>Do you want to show your support for ending debt-based license restrictions?</em></hl></p> <p><a href="https://www.freetodrive.org/take-action/" target="_blank">Go and sign our petition!</a></p> <p><h1><em>Are you a member of an organization interested in joining the Free to Drive Campaign?</em></h1></p> <p>Visit <a href="https://www.freetodrive.org/contact-us" target="_blank">Contact us</a> and sign up to join our coalition.</p> </section> [<div id="restart"><a href="javascript:history.go(0)"><img id="refresh" src="https://poornotguilty.org/play/img/restart.png" title="restart button" /></a></div>]

Every payday, you have to factor in your regular expenses for your budget. You pay a total of $$regularExpenses each pay period towards: <ul id="expenses"> <li>Groceries</li> <li>Toiletries and household items</li> <li>Health insurance</li> <li>Car insurance</li> <li>Utilities</li> <li>Taxes</li> </ul> (link-goto: "<< Go back <<", (history:)'s last)

(display: "dyk 12") [[Tell me more about driving with a suspended license.]]

(set: $daysPassed to it + 7)(set: $date to 8) (set: $bankAccount to it - $rent - $regularExpenses) (if: $requestCourtDate is 1)[(goto: "Go to court.")](else:)[(goto: "Ask for more hours.")]

(set: $daysOfWorkMissedTotal to it + $daysOfWorkMissed) (set: $daysOfWorkMissed to 0) (set: $bankAccount to it + $payDay - $regularExpenses) (if: $extraHours is "true")[(set: $bankAccount to it - 40)] (set: $daysUntilRentDue to it - 7) (goto: "Display dyk 07")

<section id="didyouknow"> <h1>Did You Know</h1> <article>Car insurance rates go up 22% to 30% on average after a speeding ticket. After being cited for speeding, the total yearly cost of insurance goes up by $290 on average. </article> <article class="source">Source: <a href=" https://www.carinsurance.com/how-much-insurance-goes-up-for-speeding-ticket.aspx" target="_blank">CarInsurance.com</a> </article> </section>

(display: "dyk 13") (if: $courtChoice is "true")[[[Continue|Waiting to go to court.]]] (if: $courtChoice is "false")[[[Continue|Insufficient Funds to pay.]]]

//Note: A full day of work is based on the Florida minimum wage of $8.56/hour, which is more than a dollar over the federal minimum wage.//