This topic was propelled to the forefront after the practices Ferguson, MO were examined by the Department of Justice.
Hundreds of small cities and towns throughout the country rely significantly on fines to fund their budgets.
— Read on www.governing.com/topics/finance/fine-fee-revenues-special-report.html
More parts of the report are available here:
Addicted to Fines Small Towns in much of the Country are Dangerously Dependent on Punitive Fines and Fees
https://www.governing.com/topics/finance/gov-addicted-to-fines.html
Read full analysis with data for local governments
https://www.governing.com/topics/finance/fine-fee-revenues-special-report.html