While fees were rare just 15 years ago, in 1988, any State with fewer than 10 fees is a distinct oddity. As many as 28 fees now are charged, including probation, drug treatment, community service, restitution collection, bail investigation, criminal justice planning, and crime stoppers fees. This situation has a number of unintended and undesirable consequences. Offenders may be punished at a level beyond that intended by legislatures, unfairness of penalties when ability to pay is not accurately assessed, increases in supervision time and in absconding among offenders unable to pay, and a subtle shift in correctional values and priorities. The fee system also requires more staff, may result in competition among agencies for priority in fee payment, competition among financial and other sanctions and incentives for agencies to increase the number of offenders under supervision or treatment. Fees also may harm system credibility if enforcement is not obtained and may result in a loss of status and funding in community corrections. The clarification of values underlying fees and the development of a clear public policy on fee sanctions are needed if unintended negative effects are to be avoided. 2 references.