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11.5.3.10 Surcharges

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  5. 11.5.3 Dischargeability of Criminal Justice Debts Under Chapter 7
  6. 11.5.3.10 Surcharges

11.5.3.10 Surcharges

Most if not all states charge, in addition to wholly punitive fines, various surcharges that essentially amount to additional fines earmarked to fund specific initiatives. Whether discharge is permitted varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Courts finding surcharges not to be dischargeable focus on the fact that the charges are included as penalties in the underlying criminal action.321 Courts finding such obligations dischargeable generally focus on the administrative or pecuniary functions of such charges.322

Footnotes

  • 321 Lugo v. Paulsen, 886 F.2d 602 (3d Cir. 1989); In re Hollis, 810 F.2d 106 (6th Cir. 1987); McNelis v. Verano (In re McNelis), 2013 WL 5376525 (Bankr. M.D. Pa. Sept. 25, 2013); In re Curtin, 206 B.R. 694 (Bankr. D.N.J. 1996).

  • 322 Williams v. Motley, 925 F.2d 741 (4th Cir. 1991) (service fee attached to parking fine dischargeable); In re Pulley, 295 B.R. 28 (Bankr. D.N.J. 2003), aff’d, 303 B.R. 81 (D.N.J. 2003).