Fines and Community Protection in Springfield, Illinois

Abstract

[Early in 1914 a of Springfield, Illinois, was undertaken at the request of citizens of that city by the Department of Surveys and Exhibits of the Russell Sage Foundation. Among the nine reports on civic and social problems resulting from the survey is one by Zenas L. Potter on the city's correctional system. This report analyzes the different methods used in disposing of offenders and endeavors to tell how well they are designed to protect the community from law breakers and how well they have succeeded in doing so. The section on fines is an interesting and severe indictment of their general use. It is here reproduced by permission of the publishers.-ED.] Fines, as we have seen, were in 1913 by far the most usual method of disposing of Springfield offenders. Indeed, of the 152 persons found guilty by the county and circuit courts out of a considerable variety of sentences, 70, or 46 per cent, were fined, many of them, however, receiving jail sentences also. Of the 1,119 sentences imposed on persons coming before justices of the peace and the city magistrate, 791, or 71 pen cent, were fines. Moreover, most of the fines were for small amounts. Of the county and circuit court fines, 43 per cent were for $10 or less, 76 per cent for $25 or less, while of the fines assessed by the justices of the peace and city magistrate 60 per cent were for $3.00 or less, 71 per cent for $10 or less, and 84 per cent for $25 or less. Considering only the fines of these lower courts which were paid, as shown in the complete report,2 79 per cent of those fined were assessed $3.00 or less, 89 per cent $10 or less, and 96 per cent $25 or less. The important part which fines played in Springfield correctional work and the extensive use of small fines are thus seen.