“Court debt impacts more people and for a longer period of time than almost any other issue in the criminal justice system,” said Joanna Weiss, an executive director of the Fines and Fees Justice Center. “It’s a lifelong punishment, and the consequences are felt by the entire family.”

Nearly every interaction a person has with the justice system comes with a bill regardless of one’s innocence. People who can’t afford these fees — which often total thousands of dollars — are subjected to punishments including incarceration, driver’s license suspension, and additional fees. For millions of Americans, court debt overshadows every aspect of their and their families lives.

In a new video, The New York Times Times Opinion section creates a fictional character (based on real-world experiences) to demonstrate the grueling experience of moving through the criminal justice system and how court debt continues to burden people at every turn. Ultimately, he accumulates nearly $20,000 in fee debt alone.