The CCCA reflects the intent of Congress that a fine is an alternative sanction in every criminal case, and the CFEA delineates criteria for judges to use in determining whether to use a fine as a sanction. Both the CCCA and the CFEA focus on the computation of the amounts of fines, modifications, stays, and remissions of fines, and the enforcement of fines. In the Criminal Fine Improvements Act of 1987, Congress made certain needed changes in the CCCA and CFEA, and it gave the director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts responsibility for establishing within the judicial branch procedures for processing fines, restitution, forfeiture of bail bond or collateral, and assessments. Changes affecting special assessments, the definition of petty offense, offender sentencing classification, and the basic structure of fines as a sentence are discussed in detail. 353 footnotes.