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.

21 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

Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-56i(g) Pretrial drug education and community service program.
No person may be excluded from any such program for inability to pay such fee or cost, provided (1) such person files with the court an affidavit of indigency or
+ See more
inability to pay, (2) such indigency or inability to pay is confirmed by the Court Support Services Division, and (3) the court enters a finding thereof. The court may waive all or any portion of such fee depending on such person’s ability to pay. If the court finds that a person is indigent or unable to pay for a substance abuse treatment program, the costs of such program shall be paid from the pretrial account established under section 54-56k.
All

indigency

Before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Not provided for Yes

costs of such program shall be paid from the pretrial account

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

+ Create New

Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 17a-696(e) Order for suspension of prosecution and treatment for alcohol or drug dependency.

. . . (4) the accused person, unless such accused person is indigent, has paid to the clerk of the court an administration fee of twenty-five dollars.

All

indigent

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes

waiver of fee

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

+ Create New

Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 17a-696(e) Order for suspension of prosecution and treatment for alcohol or drug dependency.

The accused person shall, unless indigent, pay the cost of treatment ordered under this section.

All

indigent

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes

waiver of cost of treatment

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

+ Create New

Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-56e(e) Accelerated pretrial rehabilitation

. . . No person may be excluded from such program for inability to pay such fee, provided (1) such person files with the court an affidavit of indigency or

+ See more
inability to pay, (2) such indigency or inability to pay is confirmed by the Court Support Services Division, and (3) the court enters a finding thereof.

All

indigency

Before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Not provided for Yes

admission to program without paying fees

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

+ Create New

Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-56g(g) Pretrial alcohol education program (victim impact panel program fees)

. . . provided such organization shall offer a hardship waiver when it has determined that the imposition of a fee would pose an economic hardship for such person.

All

economic hardship

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes

hardship waiver

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

+ Create New

Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-56g(c) Pretrial alcohol education program

. . . No person may be excluded from either program for inability to pay such fee or cost, provided (1) such person files with the court an affidavit of

+ See more
indigency or inability to pay, (2) such indigency or inability to pay is confirmed by the Court Support Services Division, and (3) the court enters a finding thereof. If the court finds that a person is indigent or unable to pay for a treatment program, the costs of such program shall be paid from the pretrial account established under section 54-56k. If the court finds that a person is indigent or unable to pay for an intervention program, the court may waive all or any portion of the fee for such intervention program.

All

indigency

Before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Not provided for Yes

costs of such program shall be paid from the pretrial account

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

+ Create New

Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-56j(f) Pretrial school violence prevention program.

. . . no student shall be excluded from such program for inability to pay such cost provided (1) the parent or guardian of such student files with the court

+ See more
an affidavit of indigency or inability to pay, and (2) the court enters a finding thereof.

All

indigency

Before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Not provided for Yes

admission to program without paying fees

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

+ Create New

Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-125f(d) Pilot zero-tolerance drug supervision program.

. . . if the participant is determined to be indigent, based upon financial affidavits, the Board of Pardons and Paroles shall pay the cost of the test

All

indigent, based upon financial affidavits

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Administrative decision Yes

Department of Correction shall pay the cost

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

+ Create New

Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-38c(i) Pretrial family violence education program; fees.

. . . no person shall be excluded from such program for inability to pay any such fee, provided (1) the person files with the court an affidavit of indigency

+ See more
or inability to pay, and (2) the court enters a finding thereof

All

indigency

Before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Not provided for Yes

admission to program without paying fees

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

+ Create New

Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 18-100e(d) Pilot zero-tolerance drug supervision program (urinalysis fee)

(d) Any person who has submitted to a urinalysis drug test pursuant to subsection (c) of this section that produced a positive result may request that a second urinalysis drug

+ See more
test be administered, at such person’s expense, to confirm the results of the first test, except that if the participant is determined to be indigent, based upon financial affidavits, the Department of Correction shall pay the cost of the test. The second drug test shall be a urinalysis drug test, separate and independent of the initial test.

All

indigent, based upon financial affidavits

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Administrative decision Yes

Department of Correction shall pay the cost

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

+ Create New

Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-28(c) Authorized sentences.

. . . In determining the appropriate terms of financial restitution, the court shall consider: (A) The financial resources of the offender and the burden restitution will place on other

+ See more
obligations of the offender; (B) the offender’s ability to pay based on installments or other conditions; (C) the rehabilitative effect on the offender of the payment of restitution and the method of payment; and (D) other circumstances, including the financial burden and impact on the victim, that the court determines make the terms of restitution appropriate. If the court determines that the current financial resources of the offender or the offender’s current ability to pay based on installments or other conditions are such that no appropriate terms of restitution can be determined, the court may forego setting such terms.

All

current financial resources of the offender or the offender’s current ability to pay based on installments or other conditions are such that no appropriate terms of restitution can be determined

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes

The court may forgo setting restitution

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

+ Create New

Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-39c(b) Community service labor program.

. . . no person may be excluded from such program for inability to pay such fee, provided (1) such person files with the court an affidavit of indigency or

+ See more
inability to pay, (2) such indigency is confirmed by the Court Support Services Division, and (3) the court enters a finding thereof.

All

indigency

Before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Not provided for Yes

admission to program without paying fees

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

+ Create New

West Virginia W. Va. Code § 61-11A-5(a) Restitution; procedure for issuing order

(a) The court, in determining whether to order restitution under this article, and in determining the amount of such restitution, shall consider the amount of the loss sustained by any

+ See more
victim as a result of the offense, the financial resources of the defendant, the financial needs and earning ability of the defendant and the defendant's dependents, and such factors as the court deems appropriate.

All

… shall consider … the financial resources of the defendant, the financial needs and earning ability of the defendant and the defendant's dependents

Before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge without hearing Yes

No restitution or lower amount of restitution

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

+ Create New

West Virginia W. Va. Code § 29-21-16(g)(1)-(4) Determination of maximum income levels; eligibility guidelines; use of form affidavit; inquiry by court; denial of services; repayment; limitation on remedies against affiant

(g) In the circumstances and manner set forth below, circuit judges may order repayment to the state, through the office of the clerk of the circuit court having jurisdiction over the

+ See more
proceedings, of the costs of representation provided under this article:

(1) In every case in which services are provided to an indigent person and an adverse judgment has been rendered against such person, the court may require that person, and in juvenile cases, may require the juvenile’s parents or custodian, to pay as costs the compensation of appointed counsel, the expenses of the defense, and any other fees and costs authorized by statute;

(2) The court shall not order a person to pay costs unless the person is able to pay without undue hardship. In determining the amount and method of repayment of costs, the court shall take account of the financial resources of the person, the person’s ability to pay, and the nature of the burden that payment of costs will impose. The fact that the court initially determines, at the time of a case’s conclusion, that it is not proper to order the repayment of costs does not preclude the court from subsequently ordering repayment if the person’s financial circumstances change;

(3) When a person is ordered to repay costs, the court may order payment to be made immediately or within a specified period of time or in specified installments. If a person is sentenced to a term of imprisonment, an order for repayment of costs is not enforceable during the period of imprisonment unless the court expressly finds, at the time of sentencing, that the person has sufficient assets to pay the amounts ordered to be paid or finds there is a reasonable likelihood the person will acquire the necessary assets in the foreseeable future;

(4) A person who has been ordered to repay costs, and who is not in contumacious default in the payment thereof, may at any time petition the sentencing court for modification of the repayment order. If it appears to the satisfaction of the court that continued payment of the amount ordered will impose undue hardship on the person or the person’s dependents, the court may modify the method or amount of payment;

All

(2) The court shall not order a person to pay costs unless the person is able to pay without undue hardship. In determining the amount and method of repayment of

+ See more
costs, the court shall take account of the financial resources of the person, the person's ability to pay and the nature of the burden that payment of costs will impose. The fact that the court initially determines, at the time of a case's conclusion, that it is not proper to order the repayment of costs does not preclude the court from subsequently ordering repayment should the person's financial circumstances change.

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes

Court shall not order a person to pay costs; court may order payment to be made immediately or within a specified period of time or in specified installments; 

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

+ Create New

West Virginia W. Va. Code § 62-5-10(a) Mandatory cost assessed upon conviction of a felony

Every circuit court shall assess, in every felony criminal matter as a cost to the defendant, an assessment in the sum of seventy-five dollars for each felony count of conviction.

+ See more
The assessment referred to herein shall be paid upon adjudication of guilt unless the court determines that the defendant is unable to pay in such a manner in which case payment of the assessment shall be paid prior to final disposition. If the circuit court determines that a defendant is financially unable to pay the assessment prior to final disposition, payment of the assessment shall be a mandatory condition of probation or parole.

Felony

Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes

No payment prior to final disposition, however, payment shall be a mandatory condition of parole or probation.

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

+ Create New

West Virginia W. Va. Code § 62-11A-1a Other sentencing alternatives

(e) A person sentenced under the provisions of this section may be required to pay the costs of his or her incarceration, including meal costs: Provided, That the judge or

+ See more
magistrate considers the person's ability to pay the costs.

All

Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing Yes

May not be required to pay the costs of his or her incarceration, including meal costs.

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

+ Create New

West Virginia W. Va. Code § 62-11B-5(7) Requirements for order for home incarceration

(7) A requirement that the offender pay a home incarceration fee set by the circuit court or magistrate. If a magistrate orders home incarceration for an offender, the magistrate shall follow

+ See more
a fee schedule established by the supervising circuit judge in setting the home incarceration fee. The magistrate or circuit judge shall consider the person’s ability to pay in determining the imposition and amount of the fee.

All

Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing Yes

No fee or a lower fee

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

+ Create New

West Virginia W. Va. Code § 62-11C-7(a) Supervision or participation fee

A circuit judge, magistrate, municipal court judge or community criminal justice board may require the payment of a supervision or participation fee from any person required to be supervised by

+ See more
or participate in a community corrections program. The circuit judge, magistrate, municipal court judge or community criminal justice board shall consider the person's ability to pay in determining the imposition and amount of the fee.

All

Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes

No fee or lower fee

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

+ Create New

West Virginia W. Va. Code § 62-11C-4(b)-(c) Special revenue account

(b) In addition to the fee required in section nine [§ 62-12-9], article twelve of this chapter, a fee not to exceed $35 per month, unless modified by legislative rule as

+ See more
provided in section three [§ 62-11C-3] of this article, is also to be collected from those persons on probation. This fee is to be based upon the person’s ability to pay. The magistrate or circuit judge shall conduct a hearing prior to imposition of probation and make a determination on the record that the offender is able to pay the fee without undue hardship. The magistrate clerk, deputy magistrate clerk, magistrate assistant, circuit clerk or deputy circuit clerk shall collect all fees imposed pursuant to this subsection and deposit them in a separate account. Within ten calendar days following the beginning of the calendar month, the magistrate clerk or circuit clerk shall forward the amount deposited to the State Treasurer to be credited to the West Virginia Community Corrections Fund.

(c) In addition to the fee required in section five, article eleven-b of this chapter, a fee of $2.50 per day, unless modified by legislative rule as provided in section three of this article, is to be collected from those persons on home incarceration. The circuit judge, magistrate or municipal court judge shall consider the person's ability to pay in determining the imposition of the fee. The circuit clerk, magistrate clerk, municipal court clerk or his or her designee shall collect all fees imposed pursuant to this subsection and deposit them in a separate account. Within ten calendar days following the beginning of the calendar month, the circuit clerk, magistrate clerk or municipal court clerk shall forward the amount deposited to the State Treasurer to be credited to the West Virginia Community Corrections Fund.

All

Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing Yes

No fee or lower fee

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

+ Create New

West Virginia W. Va. Code § 62-12-26 Extended supervision for certain sex offenders; sentencing; conditions; supervision provisions; supervision fee

(f) The sentencing court may, based upon defendant’s ability to pay, impose a supervision fee to offset the cost of supervision. Said fee shall not exceed $50 per month. Said fee

+ See more
may be modified periodically based upon the defendant’s ability to pay.

All

Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing Yes

No fee or reduced fee; modification of fee.