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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Florida Fla. Stat. §27.52(2) Determination of indigent statutus
(2) DETERMINATION BY THE CLERK.—The clerk of the court shall determine whether an applicant seeking appointment of a public defender is indigent based upon the information provided in the application and
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the criteria prescribed in this subsection.(a) An applicant, including an applicant who is a minor or an adult tax-dependent person, is indigent if the applicant’s income is equal to or below 200 percent of the then-current federal poverty guidelines prescribed for the size of the household of the applicant by the United States Department of Health and Human Services or if the person is receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families-Cash Assistance, poverty-related veterans’ benefits, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). 1. There is a presumption that the applicant is not indigent if the applicant owns, or has equity in, any intangible or tangible personal property or real property or the expectancy of an interest in any such property having a net equity value of $2,500 or more, excluding the value of the person’s homestead and one vehicle having a net value not exceeding $5,000. 2. Notwithstanding the information that the applicant provides, the clerk may conduct a review of the property records for the county in which the applicant resides and the motor vehicle title records of the state to identify any property interests of the applicant under this paragraph. The clerk may evaluate and consider the results of the review in making a determination under this subsection. If the review is conducted, the clerk shall maintain the results of the review in a file with the application and provide the file to the court if the applicant seeks review under subsection (4) of the clerk’s determination of indigent status. (b) Based upon its review, the clerk shall make one of the following determinations: 1. The applicant is not indigent. 2. The applicant is indigent.
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Inability to pay: Indigent (An applicant, including an applicant who is a minor or an adult tax-dependent person, is indigent if the applicant’s income is equal to or below 200

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percent of the then-current federal poverty guidelines).

Before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Other No

Supervision fee

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Michigan Mich. Comp. Laws § 780.794(11) Juvenile probation
(11) If the juvenile is placed on probation, any restitution ordered under this section shall be a condition of that probation. The court may revoke probation if the juvenile fails
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to comply with the order and if the juvenile has not made a good faith effort to comply with the order. In determining whether to revoke probation, the court shall consider the juvenile's employment status, earning ability, and financial resources, the willfulness of the juvenile's failure to pay, and any other special circumstances that may have a bearing on the juvenile's ability to pay.
All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Other No

Modification of the amount or method of payment

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Michigan Mich. Comp. Laws § 769.1a(10-14) Restitution - limitations
(10) If not otherwise provided by the court under this subsection, restitution shall be made immediately. However, the court may require that the defendant make restitution under this section within
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a specified period or in specified installments. (11) If the defendant is placed on probation or paroled or the court imposes a conditional sentence under section 3 of this chapter, any restitution ordered under this section shall be a condition of that probation, parole, or sentence. The court may revoke probation or impose imprisonment under the conditional sentence and the parole board may revoke parole if the defendant fails to comply with the order and if the defendant has not made a good faith effort to comply with the order. In determining whether to revoke probation or parole or impose imprisonment, the court or parole board shall consider the defendant's employment status, earning ability, and financial resources, the willfulness of the defendant's failure to pay, and any other special circumstances that may have a bearing on the defendant's ability to pay. (12) A defendant who is required to pay restitution and who is not in willful default of the payment of the restitution may at any time petition the sentencing judge or his or her successor to modify the method of payment. If the court determines that payment under the order will impose a manifest hardship on the defendant or his or her immediate family, the court may modify the method of payment. . . . (14) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a defendant shall not be imprisoned, jailed, or incarcerated for a violation of probation or parole or otherwise for failure to pay restitution as ordered under this section unless the court or parole board determines that the defendant has the resources to pay the ordered restitution and has not made a good faith effort to do so.
All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Other No

Change method of payment; not make condition of probation, parole, or sentence

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Michigan Mich. Comp. Laws § 771.3c Order of probation; probation supervision fee; allocation of money collected for multiple obligations; juvenile committed pursuant to youth rehabilitation services act
The court may order a higher amount than indicated by the table, up to the maximum of $135.00 multiplied by the number of months of probation ordered, but not more
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than 60 months, if the court determines that the probationer has sufficient assets or other financial resources to warrant the higher amount. If the court orders a higher amount, the amount and the reasons for ordering that amount shall be stated in the court order. The fee shall be collected as provided in section 25a of the corrections code of 1953, 1953 PA 232, MCL 791.225a. A person shall not be subject to more than 1 supervision fee at the same time. If a supervision fee is ordered for a person for any month or months during which that person already is subject to a supervision fee, the court shall waive the fee having the shorter remaining duration.
All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Other No

Not specified

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New Jersey N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:45-1 Conditions of Suspension or Probation This fee may be waived in cases of indigency upon application by the chief probation officer to the sentencing court. All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Other No

waived

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Florida Fla. Stat. §938.27(4) Judgment for costs of prosecution and investigation
Any dispute as to the proper amount or type of costs shall be resolved by the court by the preponderance of the evidence. The burden of demonstrating the amount of
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costs incurred is on the state attorney. The burden of demonstrating the financial resources of the defendant and the financial needs of the defendant is on the defendant. The burden of demonstrating such other matters as the court deems appropriate is upon the party designated by the court as justice requires.
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Factors to be considered: Financial resources of the defendant and the financial needs of the defendant is on the defendant.

At defendant's request at enforcement Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Other No

Not specified

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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.
All

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

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California Cal. Pen. Code § 1001.90(c) Diversion Restitution Fee: Imposition of fee; Amount

(c) The diversion restitution fee shall be ordered regardless of the defendant’s present ability to pay. However, if the court finds that there are compelling and extraordinary reasons, the court may

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waive imposition of the fee. When the waiver is granted, the court shall state on the record all reasons supporting the waiver. Except as provided in this subdivision, the court shall impose the separate and additional diversion restitution fee required by this section.

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NA

Not provided for Not provided for Other No

Court may waive imposition of the fee.

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California Cal. Pen. Code § 1202.4(d) Restitution; Amount; Hearing and court order; Financial disclosure

(d) In setting the amount of the fine pursuant to subdivision (b) in excess of the minimum fine pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), the court shall consider any relevant

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factors, including, but not limited to, the defendant’s inability to pay, the seriousness and gravity of the offense and the circumstances of its commission, any economic gain derived by the defendant as a result of the crime, the extent to which any other person suffered losses as a result of the crime, and the number of victims involved in the crime. Those losses may include pecuniary losses to the victim or his or her dependents as well as intangible losses, such as psychological harm caused by the crime. Consideration of a defendant’s inability to pay may include his or her future earning capacity. A defendant shall bear the burden of demonstrating his or her inability to pay. Express findings by the court as to the factors bearing on the amount of the fine shall not be required. A separate hearing for the fine shall not be required.

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NA

Not provided for Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Other No

NA

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New Mexico N.M. Stat. Ann. § 31-15-12(C) Explanation of rights; waiver of counsel; application fee; indigency determination

A person shall pay a non-refundable application fee of ten dollars ($10.00) at the time the person applies with the public defender for representation. The fee shall be deposited in

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the public defender automation fund. The public defender shall determine if the person is indigent and unable to pay the fee, subject to review by the court. When the person remains in custody and is unable to pay the fee, the court may waive payment of the fee.

All

Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Other No

Fee waiver

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North Carolina N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 7A-452(a)-(c1) Source of counsel; fees; appellate records

(a) Upon the court's determination that a person is indigent and entitled to counsel under this Article, counsel shall be appointed in accordance with rules adopted by the Office of

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Indigent Defense Services. In noncapital cases, the court shall assign counsel pursuant to rules adopted by the Office of Indigent Defense Services. In capital cases, the Office of Indigent Defense Services or designee of the Office of Indigent Defense Services shall assign counsel; at least one member of each capital defense team, where practicable, shall be a member of the bar in that division. In the courts of those counties which have a public defender, however, the public defender may tentatively assign himself or an assistant public defender to represent an indigent person, subject to subsequent determination of entitlement to counsel by the court and approval by the court in noncapital cases and by the Office of Indigent Defense Services in capital cases.
(b) Fees of assigned counsel and salaries and other operating expenses of the offices of the public defenders shall be borne by the State.
(c)(1) The clerk of superior court is authorized to make a determination of indigency and entitlement to counsel, as authorized by this Article. The word “court,” as it is used in this Article and in any rules pursuant to this Article, includes the clerk of superior court.

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Indigent

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Other No

State pays counsel fees.

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North Carolina N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann .§ 7A-450 Indigency; definition; entitlement; determination; change of status

(a) An indigent person is a person who is financially unable to secure legal representation and to provide all other necessary expenses of representation in an action or proceeding enumerated

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in this Subchapter. An interpreter is a necessary expense as defined in Chapter 8B of the General Statutes for a deaf person who is entitled to counsel under this subsection.
(b) Whenever a person, under the standards and procedures set out in this Subchapter, is determined to be an indigent person entitled to counsel, it is the responsibility of the State to provide him with counsel and the other necessary expenses of representation. The professional relationship of counsel so provided to the indigent person he represents is the same as if counsel had been privately retained by the indigent person.
(b1) An indigent person indicted for murder may not be tried where the State is seeking the death penalty without an assistant counsel being appointed in a timely manner. If the indigent person is represented by the public defender's office, the requirement of an assistant counsel may be satisfied by the assignment to the case of an additional attorney from the public defender's staff.
(c) The question of indigency may be determined or redetermined by the court at any stage of the action or proceeding at which an indigent is entitled to representation.
(d) If, at any stage in the action or proceeding, a person previously determined to be indigent becomes financially able to secure legal representation and provide other necessary expenses of representation, he must inform the counsel appointed by the court to represent him of that fact. In such a case, that information is not included in the attorney client privilege, and counsel must promptly inform the court of that information.

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Indigent

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Other No

State provides for counsel. 

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South Dakota S.D. Codified Laws § 23A-3-28 Service of motion -- Fee

When a defendant or arrested person makes a motion under this section, the defendant or arrested person shall pay to the clerk of courts in the county where the motion

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is filed a fee equal to the filing fee for a civil action. If the defendant or arrested person establishes to the court’s satisfaction that the person is indigent and unable to pay the fee, the court may waive the filing fee.

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Indigent

Not provided for Not provided for Other No

Waive filing fee

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South Dakota S.D. Codified Laws § 24-2-28 Liability of inmate for cost of confinement — Exception

Each inmate under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections is liable for the cost of the inmate’s confinement which includes room and board charges; medical, dental, optometric, and psychiatric

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services charges; vocational education training; and alcoholism treatment charges.

However, if the secretary of corrections determines after considering the net income, net worth, number of dependents, and any existing obligations of the inmate, that the inmate is unable to pay, the secretary may waive all or part of the payment for the costs of the inmate’s confinement.

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Net income, net worth, number of dependents, and any existing obligations of the inmate.

Not provided for Not provided for Other No

Waive all or part of costs for confinement

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South Dakota S.D. Codified Laws § 24-11-32.1 Work release inmate — Restitution for prisoner maintenance cost

The board of county commissioners may require by resolution that a sum not to exceed the average daily prisoner cost may be charged to work release inmates of county jails

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as restitution to be applied toward prisoner maintenance cost, including but not limited to, room and board. In instances of undue hardship, the commissioners may reduce or waive the charges.

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Undue hardship

Not provided for Not provided for Other No

Reduce or waive charges

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South Dakota S.D. Codified Laws § 24-11-45 Prisoner liable for costs of confinement — Waiver

A prisoner confined to any jail while serving a sentence is liable for the cost of the prisoner’s confinement including room and board charges; medical, dental, optometric, and psychiatric services

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charges; vocational education training; chemical dependency treatment charges; and transportation costs as set forth in subdivision 7-12-18(4), where transporting the prisoner is required. If, after considering the prisoner’s net income, net worth, number of dependents, and any existing obligations, the judge who sentenced the prisoner to jail determines that the prisoner is unable to pay the full amount at one time, the judge may allow the prisoner to set up a deferred payment plan for payment for the costs of the inmate’s confinement or waive all or part of the payment if the prisoner demonstrates an inability to pay.

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Prisoner's net income, net worth, number of dependents, and any existing obligations

Not provided for Not provided for Other No

Waive all or part of costs for confinement

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Vermont Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13 § 5238(f) Co-payment and reimbursement orders

A person who may be or has been ordered to pay all or part of the cost of representation by co-payment or reimbursement order may at any time petition the

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court making the order for remission of all of the amount or any part thereof. If it appears to the satisfaction of the court that payment of the amount due will impose manifest hardships on the defendant or the defendant's immediate family or that the circumstances of case disposition and the interests of justice so require, the court may remit all or part of the amount due or modify the method of payment.

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Payment of the amount due will impose manifest hardships on the defendant or the defendant's immediate family or that the circumstances of case disposition and the interests of justice so

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require.

At defendant's request before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Other No

Court will remit all or part of the amount due or modify the method of payment.

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Vermont Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13 § 7180(f) Community service for traffic offense

(f) (1)  A defendant who is not incarcerated may file a motion to convert all or part of a traffic offense fine to community service. The court may grant the motion if

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the defendant establishes that he or she has made a good faith effort to pay the fine but is unable to do so. A fine converted to community service pursuant to this subsection shall not be considered a modification of sentence and shall not be subject to the time limits of Vermont Rule of Criminal Procedure 35.

(2)  Community service performed pursuant to a motion granted under this subsection shall be: (A)  credited against outstanding fines at the then-existing rate of the Vermont minimum wage: (B)  monitored by Diversion, a restorative justice panel of a community justice center, or a similar entity approved by the court, that shall report on the defendant's compliance status to the court; (C)  performed in the county where the offense occurred.

(3)  A conversion of a fine to community service under this subsection: (A)  shall not apply to surcharges, court costs, or other assessments; (B)  shall be in addition to the contempt procedures applicable under this section.

Traffic

Made a good faith effort to pay the fine but is unable to do so.

At defendant's request at enforcement Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Other No

Convert to community service

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South Dakota S.D. Codified Laws § 16-2-29.2; S.D. Codified Laws § 16-2-29.3 Waiver of filing fees and service costs--Motion to court; Waiver of filing fees--Affidavit of inability to pay

29.2: A court may waive the payment of filing fees and service costs accruing by reason of a civil action or proceeding or any criminal proceeding on motion to the

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court upon the affidavit of the moving party and the entry of an order thereon.

29.3: The affidavit required by § 16-2-29.2 of the moving party shall state the moving party's inability to pay; the nature of the action, proceeding, or appeal; and a short concise statement of facts upon which the moving party believes he is entitled to redress.

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N/A

Not provided for Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Other No

Fee is waived.

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South Dakota S.D. Codified Laws § 16-2-42 Waiver of surcharge--Conditions

The surcharge provided for in § 16-2-39 may be waived in the manner provided for in §§ 16-2-29.2 to 16-2-29.4, inclusive. If a fine is suspended in whole or in part, the

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surcharge provided for in § 16-2-41 may not be reduced. However, the judge may waive all or any part of the payment of the surcharge which would work a hardship on the person convicted or on his immediate family.

All

Hardship on the person convicted or on his immediate family

Not provided for Not provided for Other No

Fee is waived in amount determined.