Ability to Pay

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State Statute Description/Statute Name Statutory language Level of offense Definition of ability to pay Timeline Burden of proof Method of determination Mandatory Remedies if unable to pay
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Tennessee Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-709(e) Sex Offender Conviction Tax
The court may waive all or any portion of the tax required by this section if the court finds that a person convicted of a sex offense is indigent or
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financially unable to pay.
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No definition of ability to pay is provided. However, in imposing fines, courts must consider the defendant's ability to pay, prior criminal history, potential for rehabilitation, financial means, and other

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mitigating and enhancing factors.

Not provided for Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge after hearing No

Reduction or waiver of the fee

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Tennessee Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-39-305(b) Sexual Offender Fee
The department may waive all or any portion of the fees required by this section if it determines that an offender is indigent or financially unable to pay all or
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any portion of the fee. The department shall waive only that portion of the surcharge which the offender is financially unable to pay.
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No definition of ability to pay is provided. However, in imposing fines, courts must consider the defendant's ability to pay, prior criminal history, potential for rehabilitation, financial means, and other

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mitigating and enhancing factors.

Not provided for Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge after hearing No

Reduction or waiver of the fee

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Tennessee Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-24-104 Nonpayment; Crimes and Offenses
(a) If the defendant fails to pay the fine as directed, or is unable to pay the fine and so represents upon application to the court, the court, after inquiring
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into and making further investigation, if any, which it may deem necessary with regard to the defendant's financial and family situation and the reasons for nonpayment of the fine, including whether the nonpayment was contumacious or was due to indigency, may enter any order that it could have entered under § 40-24-101, or may reduce the fine to an amount that the defendant is able to pay, or may direct that the defendant be imprisoned until the fine, or any portion of it, remaining unpaid or remaining undischarged after a pro rata credit for any time that may already have been served in lieu of payments, is paid. The court shall determine and specify, in the light of defendant's situation and means and of defendant's conduct with regard to the nonpayment of the fine, the period of any imprisonment in default of payment of the fine within the limits of the penalties for a Class C misdemeanor.(b) Whenever a court orders a defendant to pay a fine, imposed as a result of a traffic violation, in installment payments, the court shall revoke the defendant's privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state upon the failure of the defendant to comply with the order of the court. If the defendant's privilege to operate a motor vehicle has been revoked for the failure to comply with the court order, the privilege shall remain so revoked until the total amount of the fine imposed is paid.
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No definition of ability to pay is provided. However, in imposing fines, courts must consider the defendant's ability to pay, prior criminal history, potential for rehabilitation, financial means, and other

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mitigating and enhancing factors.

At enforcement of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge after hearing No

A reduction of a fine or any other alternative mechanism available to the court

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Tennessee Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-24-105(c) Stay of License Revocation
A person who is unable to pay any portion of assessed litigation taxes, court costs, and fines may apply one (1) time to the court having original jurisdiction over the
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offense for an order staying the revocation of the license issued under title 55. An order to stay the revocation of the license shall be granted if the court finds that the person would experience extreme hardship from the revocation of the license and that no other means of transportation are reasonably available to the person. Grounds for finding of extreme hardship are limited to travel necessary for:(i) Employment; or (ii) Serious illness of the person or an immediate family member. (B) The offender seeking a hardship exception shall make application to the court in the form of a sworn affidavit stating with particularity the grounds and circumstances of hardship. The court may enter a one-time stay for a period of not longer than one hundred and eighty (180) days. The court clerk shall promptly notify the commissioner of safety of the issuance or termination of any stay of revocation. The commissioner of safety shall not revoke any license under this subsection (b) while the stay is in effect. (4) A person who is unable to pay all of the assessed litigation taxes, court costs, and fines but is able to pay some of them on a monthly or weekly basis may apply to the court having original jurisdiction over the offense for an order setting up a payment plan for such taxes, costs and fines. If the person and court agree to such a weekly or monthly payment plan, the court shall so order and such order shall have the effect of staying the revocation of the license pursuant to this subsection (b). The order staying the revocation of license shall remain in effect for as long as the person is current and in compliance with the payment plan. If the person fails to make payments according to the plan for three (3) consecutive months without good cause, the court may revoke the order and notify the clerk. The court clerk shall promptly notify the commissioner of safety of the issuance or termination of any stay of revocation. The commissioner of safety shall not revoke pursuant to this subsection (b) while the stay is in effect. (5) The revocation provided in this subsection (b) is cumulative and does not limit or otherwise affect any license revocation pursuant to title 39, title 55, or any other law. (6) Nothing in this subsection (b) shall be construed to apply to any license issued pursuant to title 55, chapter 17. (c) The district attorney general or the county or municipal attorney, as applicable, may, in that person's discretion, and shall, upon order of the court, institute proceedings to collect the fine, costs and litigation taxes as a civil judgment..
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No definition of ability to pay is provided. However, in imposing fines, courts must consider the defendant's ability to pay, prior criminal history, potential for rehabilitation, financial means, and other

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mitigating and enhancing factors.

At enforcement of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge after hearing No

A stay rather than immediate suspension of license

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Utah Utah R. Crim. P. 15 Expert Witnesses
Upon showing that a defendant is financially unable to pay the fees of an expert whose services are necessary for adequate defense, the witness fee shall be paid as if
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he were called on behalf of the prosecution.
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unable to pay fees

Before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Not provided for No

costs covered by state

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Utah Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-201.1 Collection of criminal judgments--reduce fines
When a defendant defaults in the payment of a criminal judgment account receivable or any installment of that receivable, the court, on motion of the prosecution, victim, or upon its
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own motion may: (a) order the defendant to appear and show cause why the default should not be treated as contempt of court; or (b) issue a warrant of arrest... (5) If it appears to the satisfaction of the court that the default is not contempt, the court may enter an order for any of the following or any combination of the following...(f) except as limited by Subsection (6) [restitution] ... reduce or revoke the unpaid amount of the criminal judgment account receivable
All Not provided for At enforcement of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for No

reduction or revocation of fine

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Utah Utah Code Ann. § 77-32-202(2)(a) Procedure for determination of indigence--Standards
Any defendant claiming indigence who is charged with a crime the penalty of which is a class A misdemeanor or serious offense shall file with the court a fully complete
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affidavit verified by a notary or other person authorized by law to administer an oath and file a copy of that affidavit with the prosecuting entity. The affidavit shall contain the factual information required in this section and by the court. . . “Indigence” means that a person: (i) does not have sufficient income, assets, credit, or other means to provide for the payment of legal counsel and all other necessary expenses of representation without depriving that person or the family of that person of food, shelter, clothing, and other necessities; or (ii) has an income level at or below 150% of the United States poverty level as defined by the most recently revised poverty income guidelines published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services; and (iii) has not transferred or otherwise disposed of any assets since the commission of the offense with the intent of establishing eligibility for the appointment of counsel under this chapter.
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does not have sufficient income, assets, credit or other means to provide for payment of legal counsel and all other necessary expenses without depriving that person or the family of

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that person of basic necessities OR has income level at or below 150 percent of US poverty level and has not transferred or disposed of property since the commission of the offense

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

cost of attorneys fees covered

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Wisconsin Wis. Stat. § 973.055(4) Domestic abuse surcharge waiver
(4) A court may waive part or all of the domestic abuse surcharge under this section if it determines that the imposition of the full surcharge would have a negative
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impact on the offender’s family.
All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No Not provided for
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Wisconsin Wis. Stat. § 977.06 Determination of Indigence
(1) DUTIES. The state public defender shall determine whether persons are indigent and shall establish a system to do all of the following: (a) Verify the information necessary to determine indigence
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under rules promulgated under s. 977.02 (3). The information provided by a person seeking assigned counsel that is subject to verification shall include any social security numbers provided on an application under sub. (1m), income records, value of assets, eligibility for public assistance, and claims of expenses. (b) Redetermine indigence during the course of representation of persons receiving representation. (c) Record the amount of time spent on each case by the attorney appointed under s. 977.08. (d) Collect for the cost of representation from persons who are indigent in part or who have been otherwise determined to be able to reimburse the state public defender for the cost of providing counsel. (1m) APPLICATION FOR REPRESENTATION. The state public defender shall request each person seeking to have counsel assigned for him or her under s. 977.08, other than a child who is entitled to be represented by counsel under s. 48.23 or 938.23, to provide the state public defender with his or her social security number and the social security numbers of his or her spouse an dependent children, if any. (2) VERIFICATIONS. (a) A person seeking to have counsel assigned for him or her under s. 977.08, other than a person who is entitled to be represented by counsel under s. 48.23, 51.60, 55.105, or 938.23, shall sign a statement declaring that he or she has not disposed of any assets for the purpose of qualifying for that assignment of counsel. If the representative or authority making the indigence determination finds that any asset was disposed of for less than its fair market value for the purpose of obtaining that assignment of counsel, the asset shall be counted under rules promulgated under s. 977.02 (3) at its fair market value at the time it was disposed of, minus the amount of compensation received for the asset. (am) A person seeking to have counsel assigned for him or her under s. 977.08, other than a person who is entitled to be represented by counsel under s. 48.23, 51.60, 55.105, or 938.23, shall sign a statement declaring that the information that he or she has given to determine eligibility for assignment of counsel he or she believes to be true and that he or she is informed that he or she is subject to the penalty under par. (b). (b) A person who makes a false representation that he or she does not believe is true for purposes of qualifying for assignment of counsel is guilty of a Class I felony. (3) REDETERMINATIONS. (a) Unless the court has made an adjustment under s. 973.06 (1) (e), upon determination at the conclusion of a case that a person’s financial circumstances are changed, the state public defender may adjust the amount of payment for counsel. (b) The state public defender may petition a court that ordered payment under s. 757.66, 973.06 (1) (e) or 977.076 (1) to modify an order or judgment to adjust the amount of payment or the scheduled amounts at any time. (c) Except as provided in ss. 48.275 (2) (b) and 938.275 (2) (b), an adjustment under this subsection shall be based on the person’s ability to pay and on the fee schedule established by the board under s. 977.075 (3).
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Unspecified

At defendant's request before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge after hearing No

Public defender services are funded 100% through the state of Wisconsin. KNOW YOUR STATE, SIXTH AMENDMENT CTR. (Last visited Jan. 29, 2017), http://sixthamendment.org/state-indigent-defense-systems/ .

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Wisconsin Wis. Stat. § 973(3) Community Service in lieu of fine
(3) (a) In lieu of part or all of a fine imposed by a court, the court may stay the execution of part or all of the sentence and provide
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that the defendant perform community service work under pars. (b) and (c). Any applicable driver improvement surcharge under s. 346.655, any safe ride program surcharge under s. 346.657, or any domestic abuse surcharge under s. 973.055 shall be imposed under ch. 814 regardless of whether part or all of the sentence has been stayed. If the defendant fails to comply with the community service order, the court shall order the defendant brought before the court for imposition of sentence. If the defendant complies with the community service order, he or she has satisfied that portion of the sentence. (b) The court may require that the defendant perform community service work for a public agency or a nonprofit charitable organization. The number of hours of work required may not exceed what would be reasonable considering the seriousness of the offense and any other offense which is read into the record at the time of conviction. An order may only apply if agreed to by the defendant and the organization or agency. The court shall ensure that the defendant is provided a written statement of the terms of the community service order and that the community service order is monitored. (c) Any organization or agency acting in good faith to which a defendant is assigned pursuant to an order under this subsection has immunity from any civil liability in excess of $25,000 for act or omissions by or impacting on the defendant.
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Not specified. In the discretion of the court at time of sentencing under this statute.

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

Defendant must complete a number of hours of community service work. The number of hours is determined by the court and should not exceed what would be reasonable given the

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severity of the crime.

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Wisconsin Wis. Stat. § 938.235(8)(b) Compensation for guardian ad litem
The court may order either or both of the parents of a juvenile for whom a guardian ad litem is appointed under this chapterto pay all or any part of
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the compensation of the guardian ad litem. Upon motion by the guardian ad litem, the court may order either or both of the parents of the juvenile to pay the fee for an expert witness used by the guardian ad litem, if the guardian ad litem shows that the use of the expert is necessary to assist the guardian ad litem in performing his or her functions or duties under this chapter. If one or both of the parents are indigent or if the court determines that it would be unfair to a parent to require him or her to pay, the court may order the county of venue to pay the compensation and fees, in whole or in part. If the court orders the county of venue to pay, the court may also order either or both of the parents to reimburse the county, in whole or in part, for the payment.
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Not specified.

Not provided for Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing No

The court may order the county of venue to pay instead.

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Wisconsin Wis. Stat. § 814.29(1) Security for costs, service and fees for indigents
1) (a) Except as provided in sub. (1m), any person may commence, prosecute or defend any action or special proceeding in any court, or any writ of error or appeal
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therein, without beingrequired to give security for costs or to pay any service or fee, upon order of the court based on a finding that because of poverty the person is unable to pay the costs of the action or special proceeding, or any writ of error or appeal therein, or to give security for those costs. (b) A person seeking an order under par. (a) shall file in the court an affidavit in the form prescribed by the judicial conference, setting forth briefly the nature of the cause, defense or appeal and facts demonstrating his or her poverty. (c) The finding and order of the court under par. (a) shall be in the form prescribed by the judicial conference. The court may deny the request for an order if the court finds that the affidavit states no claim, defense or appeal upon which the court may grant relief. (d) The court shall make a finding of poverty and issue an order under par. (a) if the affidavit demonstrates any of the following: 1. That the person is a recipient of means?tested public assistance, including aid to families with dependent children, relief funded by a relief block grant under ch. 49, relief provided by counties under s. 59.53 (21), medical assistance, supplemental security income, food stamps or benefits received by veterans under s. 45.40 (1m) or under 38 USC 501 to 562 [38 USC 1501 to 1562]. 2. That the person is represented by an attorney through a legal services program for indigent persons, including, without limitation, those funded by the federal legal services corporation, the state public defender or volunteer attorney programs based on indigence. 3. That the person is otherwise unable, because of poverty, to pay the costs of the action, proceeding or appeal or to give security for those costs. In determining the person’s ability under this subdivision to pay or give security for fees and costs, the court shall consider the person’s household size, income, expenses, assets and debts and the federal poverty guidelines under 42 USC 9902 (2).
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In determining the person’s ability under this subdivision
to pay or give security for fees and costs, the court shall
consider the person’s household size, income, expenses, assets
and debts

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and the federal poverty guidelines under 42 USC 9902
(2).

Not provided for Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge without hearing No Not provided for
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Wisconsin Wis. Stat. § 800.09(1g) Judgment
The court may defer payment of any judgment or provide for installment payments. At the time that the judgment is rendered, the court shall inform the defendant, orally and in
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writing, of the date by which restitution and the payment of the forfeiture, plus costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under ch. 814, must be made, and of the possible consequences of failure to do so in timely fashion, including imprisonment, as provided in s.800.095, or suspension of the defendant’s motor vehicle operating privilege, as provided in sub. (1b) (c), if applicable. In addition, the court shall inform the defendant, orally and in writing, that the defendant should notify the court if he or she is unable to pay the judgment because of poverty, as that term is used in s. 814.29 (1)(d), and that he or she may request community service in lieu of payment of the judgment. If the defendant is not present, the court shall ensure that the information is sent to the defendant by mail. If the defendant is present and the court, using the criteria in s. 814.29 (1) (d), determines that the defendant is unable to pay the judgment because of poverty, the court shall provide the defendant with an opportunity to pay the judgment in installments, taking into account the defendant’s income, or to perform communityservice in lieu of payment of the judgment. In 1st class cities, all of the written information required by this subsection shall be printed in English and Spanish and provided to each defendant.
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Not specified.

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Other No

The court may impose community service if the defendant is unable to complete payment of the judgment