Enduring Justice Act Mandates $5,000 Fee on Non-Indigent Federal Offenders to Fund Trafficking Victim Support

The “Enduring Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act” is short and to the point, but it packs a financial punch for anyone convicted of a federal crime under Title 18. This bill establishes a new, mandatory “Additional special assessment” of $5,000 that courts must impose on any person or entity convicted of a federal offense, provided they are not deemed indigent. This fee is stacked on top of any other fines or assessments the court already requires, and the funds are specifically intended to support victims of trafficking.

The Mandatory $5,000 Question

Think of this like a mandatory surcharge. If you’re convicted of a federal crime—anything under Title 18, which is broad—and the court decides you’re not poor enough to qualify for indigent status, you’re automatically hit with this $5,000 fee (SEC. 2). For victims of trafficking, this is a clear win: it creates a dedicated, mandatory funding stream for the support services they desperately need, ensuring that those convicted of crimes contribute directly to victim relief efforts. It’s a mechanism that forces offenders to pay into a system designed to repair the damage caused by criminal activity.

Who Pays and How Broad Is the Net?

This is where the real-world impact gets interesting. The assessment applies to “any non-indigent person or entity” convicted. The term “entity” is broad—it could mean a large corporation, but it could also mean a small business or even a non-profit organization if they are convicted of a federal offense, even one that might be technical or minor in nature. For a white-collar worker or a small-scale entrepreneur convicted of a non-violent federal crime, this $5,000 is an immediate, non-negotiable financial burden added to their sentence, regardless of the severity of the offense. It’s a fixed cost that applies universally to anyone with the means to pay, creating substantial debt or financial hardship right out of the gate.

The Trade-Off: Funding vs. Fixed Cost

While the goal—funding victim support—is clearly beneficial, the mechanism is a bit of a blunt instrument. It imposes a significant, fixed $5,000 cost across the board. Imagine a small business owner who gets hit with a technical conviction; they now owe the $5,000 assessment, plus any other fines, restitution, and legal fees. This mandatory fee doesn’t scale based on the severity of the crime or the defendant’s actual financial capacity, only whether they meet the standard for being “non-indigent.” This approach guarantees funding for victims but places a heavy, mandatory financial burden on a wide range of convicted individuals and organizations, potentially making the path to financial recovery post-conviction much steeper.