Administration of fines for human trafficking and other crimes inconsistent, audit finds

Jurisdictions in Washington are uneven in assessing, collecting and using fines for human trafficking and related crimes, according to a new performance audit by the Office of the Washington State Auditor.

State law imposes mandatory fines on people who commit human trafficking and related sexual exploitation crimes, and it directs those funds toward local efforts to address the crimes and support survivors. Concerns that jurisdictions were not administering these fines and revenues as required led to a legislative provision requiring the State Auditor’s Office to review them.

Auditors found courts did assess the fines, but assessment rates varied depending on the crime. They also found collection rates varied. For example, Kent Municipal Court collected more than 90% of fines, while clerks at King and Pierce County Superior Courts collected roughly half the fines assessed. Finally, auditors found the fines that were collected were spent inconsistently, with some local governments appearing to appropriately use the fines, while in another case, the funds collected were left unspent.

“Every dollar available for crime victim services is immensely valued. The state must be as effective as possible in collecting and using these fines,” said State Auditor Pat McCarthy. “Washington’s criminal justice system, at the local level, needs a better understanding of the requirements for assessing and using fines related to crimes of exploitation.”

The performance audit made a series of recommendations to improve the process for assessing, sending and using fines associated with human trafficking and sexual exploitation crimes. Among them, courts should work with prosecutors to improve awareness and understanding of fines to ensure they are consistently assessed.

The full report and summary materials can be found on the State Auditor’s Office website: Examining Fines for Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation Crimes performance audit.

Media questions: Assistant Director of Communications Adam Wilson, Adam.Wilson@sao.wa.gov, 564-999-0799.