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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Georgia Ga. Code Ann. § 17-14-5(e) Restitution by Juvenile Delinquent; Retention of Jurisdiction to Enforce Order Against Juvenile After Attainment of Age 21; Transfer of Enforcement Jurisdiction; Parent's Obligation for Restitution

If the court determines that a juvenile is or will be unable to pay all of the restitution ordered, after notice to the juvenile's parent or parents and an opportunity

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for the parent or parents to be heard, the court may order the parent or parents to pay any portion of the restitution ordered that is outstanding where the court or a jury finds by clear and convincing evidence that the parent or parents knew or should have known of the juvenile's propensity to commit such acts and the acts are due to the parent's or parents' negligence or reckless disregard for the juvenile's propensity to commit such acts. Upon the eighteenth birthday of the juvenile, the parental obligation to pay restitution shall be terminated.

All

"Is or will be unable to pay all of the restitution ordered."

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing Yes

Requiring the juvenile's parent or parents to pay if they are found to be aware of an negligent or reckless in preventing their juvenile's propensity to commit such acts.

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Georgia Ga. Code Ann. § 15-10-82 Hearing Fee on Application for Search or Arrest Warrant or Deposit Account Fraud Citation; No Fee Assessed Against Certain Alleged Victims

For hearing an application for an arrest or search warrant or deposit account fraud citation, the fee charged shall not exceed $20.00, but this fee may be waived by the issuing magistrate if he

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or she finds that because of the financial circumstances of the party applying for the warrant or citation or for other reasons this fee should not be charged in justice, provided that no fee shall be assessed against the alleged victim of a violation of Code Section 16-5-90, 16-5-91, 16-6-1, 16-6-2, 16-6-3, 16-6-4, 16-6-5.1, 16-6-22.1, or 16-6-22.2 or against the alleged victim of any domestic violence offense for costs associated with the filing of criminal charges against the stalking offender, sexual offender, or domestic violence offender or for the issuance or service of a warrant, protective order, or witness subpoena arising from the incident of stalking, sexual assault, or domestic violence.

All

"Because of the financial circumstances of the party applying for the warrant or citation or for other reasons this fee should not be charged in justice."

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

The court may waive the fee.

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Georgia Ga. Code Ann. § 42-8-102(e) Probation and Supervision; Determination of Fees, Fines, and Restitution; Converting Moneys Owed to Community Service or Educational Advancement; Continuing Jurisdiction; Revocation; Transfer

(1) As used in this subsection, the term: (A)  "Developmental disability" shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 37-1-1. (B)  "Indigent" means an individual who earns less than 100

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percent of the federal poverty guidelines unless there is evidence that the individual has other resources that might reasonably be used without undue hardship for such individual or his or her dependents. (C)  "Significant financial hardship" means a reasonable probability that an individual will be unable to satisfy his or her financial obligations for two or more consecutive months. (D)  "Totally and permanently disabled" shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 49-4-80;  (2)  The court shall waive, modify, or convert fines, statutory surcharges, probation supervision fees, and any other moneys assessed by the court or a provider of probation services upon a determination by the court prior to or subsequent to sentencing that a defendant has a significant financial hardship or inability to pay or that there are any other extenuating factors which prohibit payment or collection; provided, however, that the imposition of sanctions for failure to pay such sums shall be within the discretion of the court through judicial process or hearings; (3)  Unless rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence that a defendant will be able to satisfy his or her financial obligations without undue hardship to the defendant or his or her dependents, a defendant shall be presumed to have a significant financial hardship if he or she: (A)  Has a developmental disability; (B)  Is totally and permanently disabled; (C)  Is indigent; or (D)  Has been released from confinement within the preceding 12 months and was incarcerated for more than 30 days before his or her release.

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"'Indigent; means an individual who earns less than 100 percent of the federal poverty guidelines unless there is evidence that the individual has other resources that might reasonably be used without

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undue hardship for such individual or his or her dependents;  'Significant financial hardship' means a reasonable probability that an individual will be unable to satisfy his or her financial obligations for two or more consecutive months."

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing Yes

The court must either reduce the fine, fee or surcharge to an amount the defendant can pay, or convert it to community service.

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Georgia Ga. Code Ann. § 17-14-10 Factors to be Considered by Ordering Authority in Determining Nature and Amount of Restitution

(a)  In determining the nature and amount of restitution, the ordering authority shall consider: (1) The financial resources and other assets of the offender or person ordered to pay restitution

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including whether any of the assets are jointly controlled; (2) The earnings and other income of the offender or person ordered to pay restitution; (3) Any financial obligations of the offender or person ordered to pay restitution, including obligations to dependents; (4) The amount of damages; (5) The goal of restitution to the victim and the goal of rehabilitation of the offender; (6) Any restitution previously made; (7) The period of time during which the restitution order will be in effect; and (8) Other factors which the ordering authority deems to be appropriate; (b)  If, subsequent to restitution being ordered pursuant to this article, a victim is convicted of a crime for which restitution is ordered, the ordering authority shall consider the previously ordered restitution as part of the financial resources of such victim.

All Not provided for At enforcement of fine or fee Not provided for Other Yes Not provided for
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Georgia Ga. Code Ann. § 42-8-105(f) Probationer Obligation to Keep Officer Informed of Certain Information; Tolling for Failure to Meet Certain Obligations; Procedure

Any unpaid fines, restitution, or other moneys owed as a condition of probation shall be due when the probationer is arrested; provided, however, that if the entire balance of his

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or her probation is revoked, all the conditions of probation, including moneys owed, shall be negated by his or her imprisonment. If only part of the balance of the probation is revoked, the court shall determine the probationer's responsibility for the amount of the unpaid fines, restitution, and other moneys owed that shall be imposed upon his or her return to probation after release from imprisonment and may reduce arrearages under the same circumstances and conditions as set forth in subsection (f) of Code Section 42-8-102.

All Not provided for At enforcement of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing Yes Not provided for
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Virginia Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-299.2(C) Local alcohol safety action program - ability to pay
If the referral is to the local alcohol safety action program, the program may charge a fee for the education and intervention component, or both, not to exceed $300, based
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upon the defendant's ability to pay.
All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Yes

Not specified

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Virginia Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-150.1 Substance abuse treatment as condition of parole - exemptions
Any person who is granted parole and who is required to receive substance abuse treatment as a condition of parole shall contribute towards the cost of such treatment based upon
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his ability to pay, as established pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Board of Corrections. The regulations shall provide that (i) any fees collected for such treatment shall be paid directly to the service provider and (ii) any person may be exempt from the payment of such fees on the grounds of unreasonable hardship.
All

unreasonable hardship

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

exemption from payment of fees

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Virginia Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-57.3(D) Education/treatment program sliding scale fee structure
The court shall require the person entering such education or treatment program or services under the provisions of this section to pay all or part of the costs of the
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program or services, including the costs of any assessment, evaluation, testing, education and treatment, based upon the person's ability to pay. Such programs or services shall offer a sliding-scale fee structure or other mechanism to assist participants who are unable to pay the full costs of the required programs or services.
All Not provided for Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes

sliding scale fee structure

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Virginia Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-251 Program costs - ability to pay
The court shall require the person entering such program under the provisions of this section to pay all or part of the costs of the program, including the costs of
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the screening, assessment, testing, and treatment, based upon the accused's ability to pay unless the person is determined by the court to be indigent.
All

Indigence

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Other Yes

exemption from payment of fees

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Virginia Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-251.01(A) Education fee - based upon ability to pay
The services agency or program may require the person entering such program or services under the provisions of this section to pay a fee for the education and treatment component,
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or both, based upon the defendant's ability to pay.
Felony Not provided for Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes

Not specified

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Virginia Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-258.1(H) Program costs - indigency
The court shall require the person entering such program under the provisions of this section to pay all or part of the costs of the program, including the costs of
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the screening, evaluation, testing and education, based upon the person's ability to pay unless the person is determined by the court to be indigent.
All

Indigence

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Other Yes

exemption from payment of fees

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Wyoming Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-13-421(b),(d) Restitution as condition of parole.

(b) The board shall provide for restitution in the amount determined by the court pursuant to W.S. 7 9 103 unless the board finds the parolee is not reasonably capable

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of making the payments, in which case the board may modify the amount of restitution to be paid, taking into account the factors enumerated in W.S. 7 9 106.

(d) The board may waive the payment of some or all of the restitution as a condition of parole if it finds the payment of some or all of the restitution will work an undue hardship on the parolee or his family. Victims who have requested to receive notification pursuant to W.S. 1 40 204(f) of information authorized to be released pursuant to W.S. 1 40 204(d) shall be given notice and an opportunity to be heard prior to the board making a decision to waive some or all of the restitution under this subsection.

All

Parolee is not reasonably capable of making the payments; undue hardship on the parolee or his family

At enforcement of fine or fee Not provided for Administrative decision Yes

Modify the amount of restitution to be paid; waive all or some of restituion as condition of parole.

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Wyoming Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-9-102 Order to pay upon conviction

In addition to any other punishment prescribed by law the court shall, upon conviction for any misdemeanor or felony, order a defendant to pay restitution to each victim as determined

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under W.S. 7 9 103 and 7 9 114 unless the court specifically finds that the defendant has no ability to pay and that no reasonable probability exists that the defendant will have an ability to pay.

All

Not provided for

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

Restituion not ordered

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Wyoming Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-6-106 Determination of need; reimbursement for services

(a) The determination of whether a person covered by W.S. 7 6 104 is a needy person shall be deferred until his first appearance in court or in a suit

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for payment or reimbursement under W.S. 7 6 108, whichever occurs earlier. Thereafter, the court shall determine, with respect to each proceeding, whether he is a needy person. For purposes of this section, an appeal, probation revocation or proceeding to correct or modify a sentence is a separate proceeding. The determination of need shall be based on a separate application submitted at the time of each proceeding.

(b) In determining whether a person is a needy person and in determining the extent of his inability to pay, and, in the case of an unemancipated minor, the inability to pay of his custodial parent or another person who has a legal obligation of support, the court shall consider the standards set forth in Rule 44(d), Wyoming Rules of Criminal Procedure. Release on bail does not necessarily prevent a person from being determined to be needy. In each case the person, subject to the penalties for perjury, shall certify in writing, or by other record, the material factors relating to his ability to pay as the court prescribes.

(c) In every case in which a person has received services under W.S. 7 6 104, the presiding judge shall determine whether the person or, in the case of an unemancipated minor, his custodial parent or any other person who has a legal obligation of support, is able to provide any funds towards payment of part or all of the cost associated with such services. If the person or, in the case of an unemancipated minor, his custodial parent or any other person who has a legal obligation of support, is not able to provide any funds towards payment of costs, the court shall enter a specific finding on the record. If the court determines the person or, in the case of an unemancipated minor, his custodial parent or any other person who has a legal obligation of support, is able to provide any amount as reimbursement, the court shall order the person or, in the case of an unemancipated minor, his custodial parent or any other person who has a legal obligation of support, to reimburse the state for all or part of the costs of the services provided or shall state on the record the reasons why an order for reimbursement was not entered. Where a person is initially provided with counsel pursuant to W.S. 7 6 105(a), but subsequently retains private counsel, the court may order the person to reimburse the state for the services already provided. All reimbursements under this act shall be made through the clerk of court.

(d) The state public defender shall report in the agency's annual report concerning: (i) The number of cases by court in which an attorney was appointed to represent a person at public expense under this act during the preceding calendar quarter; (ii) For each case in which an attorney was appointed, whether the court ordered reimbursement under this section or, if reimbursement was not ordered, whether the court complied with subsection (c) of this section; (iii) For the guardian ad litem program, the number of cases, the amount of monies expended and the amounts of reimbursements from participating counties.

(e) If the court orders release on bail pending trial or appeal, probation before sentence, suspended sentence or probation, the court shall order the needy person as a condition of bail, sentence or probation to repay the state for expenses and services provided by appointed attorneys pursuant to the state public defender's standard fee schedule if the court determines the defendant has an ability to pay or that a reasonable probability exists that the defendant will have an ability to pay.

All

Wyo. R. Crim. P. 44(d): In making a determination of eligibility, the judicial officer shall consider: (1) The probable cost of representation given the number and severity of the offenses

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charged and the factual and legal complexity of the case. (2) The defendant's income from all sources and the defendant's capacity to earn income. (3) The expenses of the defendant's household and whether a spouse or roommate contributes or ought to contribute to those expenses. (4) The defendant's responsibility for the support of others. (5) The defendant's assets whether held individually or with others. (6) The defendant's debts and the periodic payments due on the debts. (7) The defendant's capacity to borrow money. Uncertainty as to a defendant's eligibility for appointed counsel should be resolved in the defendant's favor. An erroneous determination of eligibility may be corrected at any time.

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

N/A

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Wyoming Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-9-103(c) Determination of amount owed; execution

The court shall order the defendant to pay all or part of the restitution claimed or shall state on the record specific reasons why an order for restitution was not

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entered. If the court determines that the defendant has no ability to pay and that no reasonable probability exists that the defendant will have an ability to pay in the future, the court shall enter specific findings in the record supporting its determination.

All Not provided for Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing Yes Not provided for
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Wyoming Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-11-505 Payment of costs of prosecution

Payment of the costs of prosecution may be added to and made a part of the sentence in any felony or misdemeanor case if the court determines that the defendant

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has an ability to pay or that a reasonable probability exists that the defendant will have an ability to pay.

All

Not provided for

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

Payment of the costs of prosecution not added to and made a part of the sentence in any felony or misdemeanor case

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Wyoming Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-13-109(a) Payment of jail costs by inmate

(a) In addition to any other punishment prescribed by law, the sentencing court may require a person sentenced to confinement in county jail, for any offense, to pay the jail

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facility the costs of room and board for each day of incarceration, both before and after conviction. The costs for room and board for each day of incarceration shall be an amount equal to the actual cost of the services as determined by the county sheriff. The cost of the services shall be paid to all jail facilities where the inmate may have been held before and after conviction. The costs shall not be assessed if:

(i) The court finds that the defendant has no ability to pay and that no reasonable probability exists that the defendant will have an ability to pay; or

(ii) In the judgment of the court, the costs would impose a manifest hardship on the inmate, or the property of the inmate is needed for the maintenance and support of the inmate's family.

All

Costs would impose a manifest hardship on the inmate, or the property of the inmate is needed for the maintenance and support of the inmate's family

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

Costs for room and board for each day of incarceration not imposed.

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Wyoming Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-13-1301(a)(iv) Definitions

(iv) "Qualified offender" means a person convicted of a felony whom the court finds has a need for alcohol or other drug treatment. The payment amount required of the offender

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for treatment shall be based on the ability of the offender to pay as established on a sliding fee scale pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the department of health and may, at the discretion of the court, be paid through delayed or installment payments. In determining an offender's ability to pay the court may consider present circumstances as well as reasonable future potential;

Felony

Not provided for (court may consider present circumstances as well as reasonable future potential).

Not provided for Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing Yes

Fee imposed based on sliding fee scale pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the department of health; installment payments.

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Wyoming Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 5-6-202(b) Powers and duties of municipal judge generally; court to open every day except Sunday

(b) The municipal judge shall enforce due obedience to all orders, rules and judgments made by him. The judge has the same power as the district court in the issuance

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of warrant, search warrant, subpoena or other necessary process and may fine or imprison for contempt offered to him or to process issued by him in the same manner and to the same extent as the district court. Before any person is imprisoned for the willful refusal to pay a fine, the court shall determine whether the defendant has an ability to pay or that a reasonable probability exists that the defendant will have an ability to pay.

All

Not provided for

At enforcement of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing Yes

Cannot imprison  for the willful refusal to pay a fine

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Wyoming Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 5-6-301(b) Punishment of persons convicted before judge; maximum penalty permitted; power to punish for contempt.

(b) The municipal judge shall punish for contempt in the same manner as district court. Before any person is imprisoned for the willful refusal to pay a fine, the court

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shall determine whether the defendant has an ability to pay or that a reasonable probability exists that the defendant will have an ability to pay.

All

Not provided for

At enforcement of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing Yes

Cannot imprison for the willful refusal to pay a fine.