![]() In other words, offenders are forced to fund a group that has lobbied for legislation that increases the severity of consequences, such as fines and fees, for criminal convictions. One recipient of the fees is the District Attorneys’ Council. How can court costs, which can be assessed in up to 48 categories, be anything other than a fundraising tool without consideration of justice? Agencies are truly funded on the backs of the poor. It almost seems as though the system makes rules with an underlying ethos that a violator can be justifiably subjected to whatever power dynamics permit without regard to proportionality. When the justice standard is applied, the Oklahoma practice of piling on fines and fees in criminal court fails miserably. You and me write letters, open and close files, write memoranda, but how much of our work is doing justice?" He leaned back and smiled warmly and said, “The function of law is to do justice. As we finished the meal, he leaned over the table and asked in a firm tone, “Stan, what is the function of law?” I stammered like a first-year law student. He was a large physically imposing man and was intellectually intimidating. ![]() Many years ago when I was practicing law in southeast Kansas, I was having lunch with an attorney friend.
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