MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Montgomery residents with unpaid fines may be eligible for relief this April because of a new order signed by Montgomery Mayor Steven L. Reed this morning. 

Executive Order Number 2024–0220 eliminates municipal fines and fees that have been unpaid for more than ten years. Mayor Reed’s order applies exclusively to municipal fees associated with most non-DUI traffic tickets, the misdemeanor possession of marijuana, and Class C misdemeanors. Only the fines and fees assessed before Jan. 1, 2014, are eligible for relief. 

“This order reflects a broader change in how we approach justice in Montgomery. We are transitioning from a solely punitive focus to one that encourages a change in behavior while mitigating long-lasting detrimental consequences,” said Montgomery Mayor Steven L. Reed. “These initiatives will ensure that financial burden doesn't dictate who succeeds and who struggles in our city. Our priority is safe streets and a more vibrant community for everyone. 

Mayor Reed is committed to promoting justice and equity in Montgomery. On average, Alabama residents with court debt owe about $2,000 from fines and fees. In Montgomery, this unpaid debt totals an estimated $40 million. Mayor Reed’s executive order can potentially waive a quarter of this debt. However, the order will not zero out balances due to the state as a result of municipal convictions. 

According to an Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice investigation, more than 80 percent of those statewide with outstanding court debts are forced to choose between paying their traffic ticket debt or paying for essentials like rent, groceries, medicine, or utilities, and at least 50 percent have been jailed for failing to pay their court debt. Mayor Reed’s order aims to ease financial burdens on individuals and families, particularly those in low-income communities and communities of color. It also encourages the use of alternative sanctions, such as community service and educational programs, in lieu of fines and promotes flexible payment plans for those unable to pay fines in full. 

The City of Montgomery is participating in the National League of Cities’s Cities Addressing Fines and Fees Equitably (CAFFE) project, an initiative that provides technical assistance and grant funding to cities. Montgomery is one of eight cities participating in the current cohort. 

Mayor Reed’s order was prepared after a year-long discussion with members of the mayor’s Fines and Fees Advisory Cohort. This diverse panel included representatives from the Montgomery Municipal Justice Center, Montgomery County Family Court Division, City Planning, the Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and others. 

Executive Order Number 2024–0220 is not a blanket pardon; it does not expunge the original offense from one’s record. Those eligible for relief under this order can request information about what’s included in the waiver beginning on April 5, 2024. 

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