Where Did Your Fine Really Go? Students Are Invited to Make an Impact on Justice Transparency

Have you ever wondered where the $4.3 billion fine paid to the U.S. government by cryptocurrency exchange Binance actually went? Or, for that matter, in which coffer did your $100 fine for speeding wind up in?

Most likely, most of us never think about what happens to the billions in funds paid by citizens and corporations for fines large and small—you simply pay it to avoid further penalties.

But there is someone thinking about it, and she is building a tool with the help of George Mason University students to track monetary penalties and gauge their impact on those who pay them.

And you can help during a dynamic and groundbreaking three-day event that organizer Tauheeda Yasin, an affiliate faculty member of the Schar School of Policy and Government, is calling DataStorm: Ride the Legislative Change.

Some 200 students will gather at Horizon Hall on George Mason’s Fairfax Campus to help build what Yasin calls “the first searchable AI-enabled web tool that will allow lawmakers, researchers, and the public have access to the data to help them make informed decisions about changes to laws and public resources.”

It is called InsightLegi.

Students who participate in DataStorm, which takes place November 15, 16, and 17, will get “get hands-on skills in data collection and analysis,” Yasin said. “We’ll also have opportunities to dive into the data and create a social media campaign for awareness on legislation and policy. Students will also get to work on cool visualizations and gain access to mentorship. It's a great resume builder.”

Registration information is at this comprehensive website. There is no fee to participate and Yasin adds that food and snacks will be provided.

DataStorm and the resulting InsightLegi platform build on Yasin’s previous work and come on the heels of an October proof-of-concept hackathon. The goal of the effort, she said, “is to bring some transparency as to how the justice system funds itself so that we can create more efficient laws.

“Many people are unaware of how a $200 traffic fine can have a cascade of consequences for those unable to pay those penalties. Cyclical debt, loss of licensure, job loss, and incarceration are common occurrences for those who cannot afford their encounters with the legal system.

“There are profound impacts on not only the individual but their family and communities. Many people are unaware of their constitutional rights and also unaware of ways to help rectify issues when they are unable to pay. We hope this tool brings various stakeholders together to improve our justice system.”