Some Florida lawmakers believe unnecessary driver’s license suspensions is an overlooked problem in their criminal justice system, says NPR. The Atlantic Cities reported that about 700,000 Floridians lost their driving privileges last year. Critics say that losing a driver’s license can turn a small scrape with the law into a major financial crisis and contribute to the cycle of poverty.
Mike Riggs of The Atlantic Cities says that 100,000 people who lost licenses committed offenses that were non-driving related, such as failure to pay child support or a drug conviction. He says Wisconsin and Georgia have looked at changes such as putting fines and fees on a schedule that’s proportionate to income or replace fines and fees altogether with community service. A Florida legislator suggested using public service instead of fines.