Ability to Pay

Keyword search across all of the laws in the states. Subject-area tabs above allow you to narrow results. Click the advanced search for further refinement.

Every law can be saved to the Reform Builder  

See all ability to pay policy recommendations in CJPP’s Policy Guide

Below are the ability to pay laws that meet your search criteria. Many include a See related provisions prompt which searches our database for laws that may pertain to your result.

24 Results

Export results to Excel

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
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Montana Mont. Code Ann. § 45-6-101(2) Criminal Mischief
Upon good cause shown by the convicted person, the court may modify any previous order specifying the amount and manner of restitution. Full payment of the amount of restitution ordered
+ See more
must be made prior to the release of state jurisdiction over the person convicted
All Not provided for At defendant's request at enforcement Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Not provided for No

Modify previous order specifying the amount and manner of restitution.

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

North Dakota N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-32-08(4)(b) Hearing prior to ordering restitution, reparation, or reimbursement of indigent defense costs and expenses--Conditions--Collection of restitution for insufficient funds checks--Continuing appropriation
A defendant who is required to reimburse indigent defense costs and expenses as a condition of probation and who is not willfully in default in that reimbursement may at any
+ See more
time petition the court that imposed the condition to waive reimbursement of all or any portion of the costs and expenses. If the court is satisfied that reimbursement of the amount due will impose undue hardship on the defendant or the defendant's immediate family, the court may waive reimbursement of all or any portion of the amount due or modify the method of payment.
All

the amount due will impose undue hardship on the defendant or the defendant's immediate family

At defendant's request at enforcement Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge after hearing No

waived

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

New Jersey N.J.Stat.Ann. § 2C:46-3 Revocation of fine
A defendant who has been sentenced to pay a fine may at any time petition the court which sentenced him for a revocation of the fine or of any unpaid
+ See more
portion thereof. If it appears to the satisfaction of the court that the circumstances which warranted the imposition of the fine have changed, or that it would otherwise be unjust to require payment, the court may revoke the fine or the unpaid portion thereof in whole or in part.
All

"would be otherwise unjust to require payment"

At defendant's request at enforcement Not provided for Not provided for No

revoke the fine in whole or in part

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Virginia Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-363 Authority of Governor to grant relief from fines and penalties in case of deceased defendant
provided, that when the party against whom the fine or penalty has been imposed and judgment rendered therefor has departed this life leaving a spouse or children surviving, the Governor
+ See more
may remit such fine or penalty upon the certificate of the judge of the circuit court of the county or city wherein such fine or penalty was imposed and judgment rendered, that to enforce the same against the estate, real or personal, of the decedent, would impose hardship upon the spouse or children
All

would impose hardship upon the spouse or children

At defendant's request at enforcement Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing No

remittance

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

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
+ See more
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.
All

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

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

New York N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 420.40 Deferral of a mandatory surcharge; financial hardship hearings
On an appearance date set forth in a summons issued pursuant to subdivision three of section 60.35 of the penal law, section eighteen hundred nine of the vehicle and traffic
+ See more
law or section 27.12 of the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, a person upon whom a mandatory surcharge, sex offender registration fee or DNA databank fee was levied shall have an opportunity to present on the record credible and verifiable information establishing that the mandatory surcharge, sex offender registration fee or DNA databank fee should be deferred, in whole or in part, because, due to the indigence of such person the payment of said surcharge, sex offender registration fee or DNA databank fee would work an unreasonable hardship on the person or his or her immediate family.
All

an unreasonable hardship on the person or his or her immediate family

At defendant's request at enforcement Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge after hearing No

Deferral

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Alabama Ala.Code 1975 § 12-23-18 Alcohol and Drug Abuse Court Referral and Treatment Program: Waiver of fees

Any person determined to be indigent by the court may request waiver of all or part of the fees established by this chapter. In such cases where a waiver of

+ See more
fees is granted, such waiver shall be limited to the time when the offender is unable to pay. If the offender becomes able to pay during the course of monitoring or treatment, or another future date, the waiver of fees may be revoked. The judge may order an indigent offender to perform community service in lieu of payment of fees.

All Not provided for At defendant's request at enforcement Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Not provided for No Not provided for
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Florida Fla. Stat. §938.29(3), (5) Legal assistance; lien for payment of attorney's fees or costs

(3) The clerk of the circuit court within the county wherein the defendant-recipient was tried or received the services of a public defender, special assistant public defender, office of criminal

+ See more
conflict and civil regional counsel, or appointed private legal counsel, or received due process services after being found indigent for costs, shall enforce, satisfy, compromise, settle, subordinate, release, or otherwise dispose of any debt or lien imposed under this section. A defendant-recipient or parent, liable to pay attorney's fees or costs and who is not in willful default in the payment thereof, may, at any time, petition the court which entered the order for deferral of the payment of attorney's fees or costs or of any unpaid portion thereof.

(5) The court having jurisdiction of the defendant-recipient shall, at such stage of the proceedings as the court may deem appropriate, determine the value of the services of the public defender, special assistant public defender, office of criminal conflict and civil regional counsel, or appointed private legal counsel and costs, at which time the defendant-recipient or parent, after adequate notice thereof, shall have opportunity to be heard and offer objection to the determination, and to be represented by counsel, with due opportunity to exercise and be accorded the procedures and rights provided in the laws and court rules pertaining to civil cases at law.

All Not provided for At defendant's request at enforcement Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing No

Delay payment

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Alaska Alaska Stat. Ann. § 12.55.051(c) Enforcement of Fines and Restitution

A defendant who has been sentenced to pay a fine or restitution may request a hearing regarding the defendant's ability to pay the fine or restitution at any time that

+ See more
the defendant is required to pay all or a portion of the fine or restitution. The court may deny the request if it has previously considered the defendant's ability to pay and the defendant's request does not allege changed circumstances. If, at a hearing under this subsection, the defendant proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant will be unable through good faith efforts to satisfy the order requiring payment of the fine or restitution, the court shall modify the order so that the defendant can pay the fine or restitution through good faith efforts. The court may reduce the fine ordered, change the payment schedule, or otherwise modify the order. The court may not reduce an order of restitution but may change the payment schedule.

All

"Defendant will be unable through good faith efforts to satisfy the order requiring payment of the fine or restitution."

At defendant's request at enforcement Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge after hearing No

Reduction of fine; modification of fee schedule; or any other modification the Court thinks appropriate.

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Delaware 10 Del. C. §8601(d) Recoupment of Costs

A defendant who has been required to pay the costs of defense and who is not in contumacious default in the payment thereof may at any time petition the court

+ See more
for remission of the payment of such costs, or of any unpaid portion thereof. If it appears to the satisfaction of the court that payment of the amount due will impose manifest hardship on the defendant or immediate family, the court may remit all or part of the amount due in costs, or modify the method of payment.

All

"Will impose manifest hardship on the defendant or immediate family."

At defendant's request at enforcement Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge without hearing No

Remission of All or Part of Fee.

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Colorado Colo. Rev. Stat. §18-1.3-702(2);(4) Monetary Payments - Due Process Required

When the court imposes a sentence, enters a judgment, or issues an order that obligates a defendant to pay any monetary amount, the court shall instruct the defendant as follows:

+ See more
(a) If at any time the defendant is unable to pay the monetary amount due, the defendant must contact the court's designated official or appear before the court to explain why he or she is unable to pay the monetary amount. (b)  If the defendant lacks the present ability to pay the monetary amount due without undue hardship to the defendant or the defendant's dependents, the court shall not jail the defendant for failure to pay. (4)  For purposes of this section, a defendant or a defendant's dependents are considered to suffer undue hardship if he, she, or they would be deprived of money needed for basic living necessities, such as food, shelter, clothing, necessary medical expenses, or child support.

All

"The present ability to pay the monetary amount due without undue hardship to the defendant or the defendant's dependents"; "A defendant or a defendant's dependents are considered to suffer undue hardship if

+ See more
he, she, or they would be deprived of money needed for basic living necessities, such as food, shelter, clothing, necessary medical expenses, or child support."

At defendant's request at enforcement Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge after hearing No Not provided for
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Massachusetts Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 266, § 111B Fraudulent Motor Vehicle Insurance Claims; Penalties; Reimbursement of Insurer.

Upon a real or impending change in financial circumstances, a defendant ordered to pay restitution may petition the court for a modification of the amount, time or method of payment

+ See more
of restitution. If the court finds that because of any such change the payment of restitution will impose an undue financial hardship on the defendant or his family, the court may modify the amount, time or method of payment, but may not grant complete remission from payment of restitution.

All

Payment would impose an undue financial hardship on defendant or his family.

At defendant's request at enforcement Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing No

Remission from any payment of restitution or modify the amount, time or method of payment; 

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Massachusetts Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 266, § 27A Removing or Concealing Motor Vehicles or Trailers to Defraud Insurers; Reimbursement of Insurers.

In determining the amount, time and method of payment of restitution, the court shall consider the financial resources of the defendant and the burden restitution will impose on the defendant.

+ See more
Upon a real or impending change in financial circumstances, a defendant ordered to pay restitution may petition the court for a modification of the amount, time or method of payment of restitution. If the court finds that because of any such change the payment of restitution will cause a substantial financial hardship to the defendant or the defendant’s immediate family or the defendant’s dependents, the court may grant remission from any payment of restitution or modify the amount, time or method of payment.

Felony

A substantial financial hardship to the defendant or the defendant’s immediate family or the defendant’s dependents

At defendant's request at enforcement Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing No

Modification of the amount, time or method of payment of restitution; remission from any payment of restitution or modify the amount, time or method of payment.

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Massachusetts Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 266, § 29 Theft of Motor Vehicle; Owner’s Complaint or Information; Restitution by Defendants.

Upon a real or impending change in financial circumstances, a defendant ordered to pay restitution may petition the court for a modification of the amount, time or method of payment

+ See more
of restitution. If the court finds that because of any such change the payment of restitution will cause a substantial financial hardship to the defendant or the defendant’s immediate family or the defendant’s dependents, the court may grant remission from any payment of restitution or modify the amount, time or method of payment.

Felony

A substantial financial hardship to the defendant or the defendant’s immediate family or the defendant’s dependents

At defendant's request at enforcement Not provided for Not provided for No

Court may modify amount, time or method of payment but not grant complete remission.

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Massachusetts Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 266, § 108 Destroying Vessel to Defraud Owner or Insurer.

A defendant ordered to make restitution may petition the court for remission from any payment of restitution or from any unpaid portion thereof. If the court finds that the payment

+ See more
of restitution due will impose a substantial financial hardship on the defendant or the defendant’s immediate family or the defendant’s dependents, the court may grant remission from any payment of restitution or modify the time and method of payment.

All

Not provided for

At defendant's request at enforcement Not provided for Not provided for No

May grant remission or modify time and method of payment.

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Massachusetts Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 266, § 108 Destroying Vessel to Defraud Owner or Insurer.

If a defendant who is required to make restitution defaults in any payment of restitution or installment thereof, the court may hold him in contempt unless said defendant has made

+ See more
a good faith effort to make restitution. If the defendant has made such good faith effort, the court may, upon motion of the defendant, modify the order requiring restitution by: (a) providing for additional time to make any payment in restitution; (b) reducing the amount of any payment in restitution or installment thereof; (c) granting a remission from any payment of restitution or part thereof.

All

N/A

At defendant's request at enforcement Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing No

Modify restitution order by providing for additional time to make any payment in restitution, reducing the amount of any payment in restitution or installment thereof, or  granting a remission from

+ See more
any payment of restitution or part thereof.

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Missouri Mo. Ann. Stat. § 558.008 Revocation of a fine

A defendant who has been sentenced to pay a fine may at any time petition the sentencing court for a revocation of a fine or any unpaid portion thereof. If

+ See more
it appears to the satisfaction of the court that the circumstances which warranted the imposition of the fine no longer exist or that it would otherwise be unjust to require payment of the fine, the court may revoke the fine or the unpaid portion in whole or in part or may modify the method of payment.

All

Unjust to require payment

At defendant's request at enforcement Not provided for Not provided for No

Revocation of fine

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

New Hampshire N.H. Rev. Stat. § 618:10 Petition for Discharge

Whenever a person under conviction for a criminal offense and confined in a county correctional facility is unable to pay the fine, the superior court, upon petition of the prisoner

+ See more
or the superintendent and satisfactory proof of such inability, may order the prisoner to be discharged upon such terms as they may think proper.

All

Not provided for

At defendant's request at enforcement Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge after hearing No

Discharge from prison.

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

North Carolina N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 15A-1363 Remission of a fine or costs

A defendant who has been required to pay a fine or costs, including a requirement to pay fine or costs as a condition of probation, or a prosecutor, may at

+ See more
any time petition the sentencing court for a remission or revocation of the fine or costs or any unpaid portion of it. If it appears to the satisfaction of the court that the circumstances which warranted the imposition of the fine or costs no longer exist, that it would otherwise be unjust to require payment, or that the proper administration of justice requires resolution of the case, the court may remit or revoke the fine or costs or the unpaid portion in whole or in part or may modify the method of payment.

All

Circumstances which warranted the imposition of the fine or costs no longer exist, that it would otherwise be unjust to require payment, or that the proper administration of justice requires

+ See more
resolution of the case.

At defendant's request at enforcement Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Not provided for No

Court may remit or revoke the fine or costs or the unpaid portion in whole or in part or may modify the method of payment

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Oregon Or. Rev. Stat. § 137.106(4)(a) Restitution to victims; objections by defendant

If a judgment or supplemental judgment described in subsection (1) of this section includes restitution, a court may delay the enforcement of the monetary sanctions, including restitution, only if the

+ See more
defendant alleges and establishes to the satisfaction of the court the defendants inability to pay the judgment in full at the time the judgment is entered. If the court finds that the defendant is unable to pay, the court may establish or allow an appropriate supervising authority to establish a payment schedule, taking into consideration the financial resources of the defendant and the burden that payment of restitution will impose, with due regard to the other obligations of the defendant. The supervising authority shall be authorized to modify any payment schedule established under this section.

All

Not provided for

At defendant's request at enforcement Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge after hearing No

Payment Plan