[rhombus]

Fines are rare in the drug mule and delivery cases because usually these guys are going to prison and most don't have any money anyway. Otherwise they'd hire private attorneys. In standard possession cases fines are usually assessed, but these funds if collected are squandered by the counties or cities who impose them. Public defenders in my state are paid by the state, not by counties or cities.

Good information. I have no doubt that the overall impact is a net loss.

[TKDietz]

"I have no doubt that the overall impact is a net loss."

Oh I agree. But this is the government we are talking about. In this game you have all sorts of separate government entities and private interests that benefit from government contracts who all have a vested interest in keeping this thing going. It doesn't matter to any of them that the overall impact is a net loss financially or on social terms. The counties and cities want the fines. The prosecutors and law enforcement rely on asset forfeitures. The privatized prison industry lobbies against changes that might jeopardize their cash cow. All government entities fight against any changes that might reduce their budgets. Whether the policies in place are effective or make sense in financial terms or otherwise for society overall is really irrelevant to the way this juggernaut bumbles on. No one looks at the big picture. They just look out for number one.