National Municipal Court Convening Pre-Forum Questionnaire
Contact information
All responses are anonymous and contact information is for communication regarding the focus group only.
Phone number
Email
First name
Last name
City
Zip code
Demographic information
Age group
Please select...
18 - 24
25 - 34
35 - 44
45 - 54
55 - 64
65+
Prefer not to say
Gender identity
Please select...
Cisgender woman
CIsgender man
Transgender woman
Transgender man
Non-binary
Agender
Prefer not to stay
Race
Please select...
White
Black or African American
Asian
Native American or Alaska Native
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
Multiracial
Prefer not to say
Ethnicity
Please select...
Hispanic or Latino
Not Hispanic or Latino
Prefer not to say
Highest level of education
Please select...
No formal education
High school diploma or GED
Some college (no degree)
Associate's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Graduate or professional degree
Prefer not to say
Employment status
Please select...
Full-time
Part-time
Temporary/Seasonal
Unemployed
Retired
Prefer not to say
Housing status
Please select...
Homeowner
Renter
Live with friends or family
Temporary/Transitional housing
Unhoused
Other (please specify)
Prefer not to say
Other housing status:
Dependents/children
Please select...
None
1
2 - 4
More than 4
Prefer not to say
Veteran status
Please select...
Veteran
Non-Veteran
Prefer not to say
Do you identify as a person with a disability or other chronic condition?
Please select...
Yes
No
Prefer not to say
Please list any needed accommodations if selected for in-person focus group:
Do you have access to reliable internet connection?
Please select...
Yes
No
Prefer not to say
What language do you prefer to communicate in?
Please select...
English
Spanish
American Sign Language
Prefer not to say
Other (please specify)
Other language (please specify):
Background
Have you or someone you know been impacted by fines and fees from city, justice, or municipal courts?
Yes
No
Have you or someone you know been impacted by fines and fees from city, justice, or municipal courts in Alabama?
Yes
No
If you or a family member have had experience with municipal court fines or fees in Alabama, please tell us which court or city/town this was (Put N/A if unsure):
Was your/their appearance in court due to being accused of a crime, a traffic matter, or for a civil matter such as divorce, eviction, bankruptcy, or a lawsuit?
Criminal
Traffic
Civil
Did you/they experience any form of jail or prison in connection with this case for any amount of time?
Yes
No
Please select the type of detention you/they experienced (select all that apply):
Upon arrest
Upon being unable to pay bail or any other court-related fee
Because of a warrant
As punishment for the original offense
Because you failed to pay child support or any other civil obligation
Because of a probation violation
Any other reason
Any other reason (please explain):
Pre-Trial
Were you/they working when you/they had to go to court?
Yes
No
Were you/they experiencing homelessness or any other form of housing insecurity?
Yes
No
When you/they went to court, did you/they have a private attorney that you/they paid for?
Yes
No
Did the court provide an attorney?
Yes
No
Did they explain the costs that you/they might have to pay?
Sentencing and Supervision
If you/they were found guilty, which of the following types of punishment did you/they experience? (select all that apply)
A fine
Court costs or other fees
Probation
Incarceration
Diversion
Community service
Electronic monitoring
Suspended driver’s license
Loss of benefits (for example, public housing, financial aid, or welfare benefits)
Loss of employment
Anything else
Please explain the other form(s) of punishment:
If a fine or fees were imposed, did the judge or anyone else talk to you about how much money you could pay?
Yes
No
How did they figure out how much you could pay?
Have you ever requested that a court or probation officer change or waive the amount of money you owe?
Yes
No
What was the outcome of the request?
Have you/they been under the court's supervision - for example, on probation or "on paper" - for a certain amount of time?
Yes
No
Did you have to pay a fee for following those rules?
Yes
No
Did the officer decide or change the fees based on how much money you/they have?
Yes
No
Did the court ask you/them to pay for services like seeing a counselor or getting special help?
Yes
No
Did the service change their fees based on income?
Yes
No
Were you/they able to choose the organization for the services?
Yes
No
Have you/they ever gotten in trouble for not paying money the court asked for?
Yes
No
What happened when you/they couldn't pay?
Did you have to choose between paying court money and meeting your needs?
Yes
No
Please select which type of needs were difficult (select all that apply):
Food
Rent
Utility and phone bills
Childcare
Transportation
Healthcare
Clothing and personal items
Other owed debts (credit cards, loans, etc.)
Procedural
Was the court process explained to you/them by either an attorney or a staff of the court?
Yes
No
What type of processes did they explain?
Did you/they have an opportunity to address the court during the process of your case?
Yes
No
Were you/they treated fairly by the judge and other employees of the court?
Yes
No
Please provide an example.
Were you/they treated fairly by your/their attorney?
Yes
No
Please provide an example.
Did the judge explain their reasoning to you/them?
Yes
No
Did the explanation make sense?
Do you think the way courts decide who should pay and how much could be fairer?
Yes
No
General
Would it be helpful to have programs that make it easier to pay off court-related money issues?
Yes
No
Should there be changes to make sure court penalties don’t hurt people with less money?
Yes
No
What changes do you think would help?
Thank you for your participation. Please submit your response below to complete the questionnaire.