Last Week Tonight host John Oliver's target last night was municipal violations – the minor, day-to-day ways of breaking the law that are often built on a penalty system that inconveniences those with money and creates life-ruining problems (spiraling fees, suspended drivers licenses, jail) for low-income individuals.
In New Jersey for example, a survey of low income drivers who had their licenses suspended for not paying their fine found that 64% had lost their jobs as a result.
"You need them to pay their fine, but you're taking away their means of paying it." said Oliver. "That's the most self-defeating idea since gay conversion camp."
Watch, AFTER THE JUMP…
