Columbia Missourian: Bill would limit arrests for failing to pay traffic fines
When it comes to traffic violations in Missouri, more than 1 million vehicles were pulled over in 2020. Of those pulled over, more than half a million drivers were given citations. About 28% of those citations were given to minority citizens, with more than 80% of the minority citations going to Black motorists.
When motorists fail to attend court to present their case, a judge may issue a warrant for the motorist’s arrest for failing to show up in court. Rep. Lane Roberts, R-Joplin, wants to change that.
…
Noah Bein of the Justice Action Network praised Roberts for introducing such progressive legislation but suggested that legislators should broaden it. The bill helps citizens stay out of jail only when they have been given their first infraction.
“Polling shows that this issue matters to all people in Missouri,” Bein said. “States such as Indiana, Utah, and Arizona have gone much further in not suspending licenses to citizens who have made a civil traffic violation.”