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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Maine Me. Rev. Stat. tit 17-A § 1807(6) Conditions of probation

The court shall attach as a condition of probation that the person pay, through the Department of Corrections, a supervision fee of between $10 and $50 per month, as determined

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by the court, for the term of probation. If the court does not set a supervision fee, the supervision fee is $10 per month. Notwithstanding the attachment of supervision fee conditions on more than one sentence, a person on probation on concurrent sentences is required to pay only one supervision fee. In determining whether to set an amount higher than $10 per month, the court shall take into account the financial resources of the person and the nature of the burden its payment imposes. A person may not be sentenced to imprisonment without probation solely for the reason the person is not able to pay the fee. 

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financial resources and nature of burden

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing No

may allow additional time

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Maine Me. Rev. Stat. tit 17-A §1807(7) Conditions of probation

7. Electronic monitoring and substance testing fees; determination of amount by court; failure to pay; use of fees. Upon the request of the Department of Corrections, the court shall attach as

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a condition of probation that the person pay, through the department, an electronic monitoring fee, a substance testing fee or both, as determined by the court, for the term of probation. In determining the amount of the fees, the court shall take into account the financial resources of the person and the nature of the burden the payment imposes. A person may not be sentenced to imprisonment without probation solely for the reason the person is not able to pay the fees. 

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Financial resources and nature of burden

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

Reduced fine

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Maine Me. Rev. Stat. tit 17-A §1702 Criteria for imposing sentencing alternative that includes fine

1. Consideration of financial capacity to pay and financial burden. In determining the amount of a fine, unless the fine amount is mandatory, and in determining the method of payment of

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a fine, the court shall take into account the present and future financial capacity of the convicted person to pay the fine and the nature of the financial burden that payment of the fine will impose on the person or a dependent, if any, of the person.

2. Burden of proving financial hardship or incapacity to pay. A convicted person who asserts a present or future incapacity to pay a fine or asserts that the fine will cause an excessive financial hardship on the person or on a dependent of the person has the burden of proving the incapacity or excessive hardship by a preponderance of the evidence. On appeal of a sentencing alternative involving a fine, the person has the burden of demonstrating that the incapacity or excessive financial hardship was proven as a matter of law.

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By preponderance of evidence that fine would cause excessive financial hardship on offender or dependent

Before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge after hearing No Not provided for
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Maine Me. Rev. Stat. tit 17-A §2005(2)(D) Criteria for restitution

D. When the amount and method of payment of monetary restitution or the performance of service restitution creates an excessive financial hardship on the offender or dependent of the offender.

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In making this determination, all relevant factors must be considered, including, but not limited to the following:(1) The number of the offender's dependents; (2) The minimum living expenses of the offender and the offender's dependents; (3) The special needs of the offender and the offender's dependents, including necessary travel expense to and from work; (4) The offender's present income and potential future earning capacity; and (5) The offender's resources, from whatever source.

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excessive financial hardship on offender or dependents

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing No Not provided for
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Maine Me. Rev. Stat. tit 17-A §1751(1)-(2) County jail reimbursement fee

1. Assessment of reimbursement fee. When an individual is sentenced to incarceration in a county jail, the sentencing court shall consider and may assess as part of the sentence a jail

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reimbursement fee, referred to in this section as “the reimbursement fee,” to help defray the expenses of the individual's room and board.

2. Evidence. The court, in determining whether a reimbursement fee as set out in subsection 1 is to be assessed and in establishing the amount of that fee, shall consider evidence relevant to the individual's ability to pay that fee, including, but not limited to, the factors set forth in section 2005, subsection 2, paragraph D, subparagraphs (1) to (5). The court may not consider as evidence the following: A. Joint ownership, if any, that the individual may have in real property; B. Joint ownership, if any, that the individual may have in any assets, earnings or other sources of income; and C. The income, assets, earnings or other property, both real and personal, owned by the individual's spouse or family.

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excessive financial hardship on offender or dependents

Not provided for Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing Yes Not provided for
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Maine Me. Rev. Stat. tit 17-A §1854(2)(A) Requirements of administrative release

In determining the amount of the fee, the court shall take into account the financial resources of the person and the nature of the burden its payment imposes.

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Financial resources and nature of burden

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for No Not provided for
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Maine Me. R. of Unified Crim. P. 44(b) Right to and Assignment of Counsel

(b) Determination of Indigency. The court shall determine whether a defendant has sufficient means with which to employ counsel and in making such determination may examine the defendant under oath concerning

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the defendant's financial resources. A defendant does not have sufficient means with which to employ counsel if the defendant's lack of resources effectively prevents the defendant from retaining the services of competent counsel. In making its determination the court shall consider the following factors: the defendant's income, the defendant's credit standing, the availability and convertibility of any assets owned by the defendant, the living expenses of the defendant and the defendant's dependents, the defendant's outstanding obligations, the financial resources of the defendant's parents if the defendant is an unemancipated minor residing with his or her parents, and the cost of retaining the services of competent counsel.

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sufficient means with which to employ counsel

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

Court appointed counsel free of costs

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Maine Me. Rev. Stat. tit 17-A §1902(1) Deferred disposition

1. Authority of court to order deferment and impose requirements; administrative supervision fee. Following the acceptance of a plea of guilty for a crime for which a person is eligible for

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a deferred disposition under section 1901, the court may order sentencing deferred to a date certain or determinable and impose requirements upon the person, to be in effect during the period of deferment, considered by the court to be reasonable and appropriate to assist the person to lead a law-abiding life. The court-imposed deferment requirements must include a requirement that the person refrain from criminal conduct and may include a requirement that the person pay to the appropriate county an administrative supervision fee of not more than $50 per month, as determined by the court, for the term of the deferment. In determining the amount of the fee, the court shall take into account the financial resources of the person and the nature of the burden its payment imposes. In exchange for the deferred sentencing, the person shall abide by the court-imposed deferment requirements. Unless the court orders otherwise, the requirements are immediately in effect.

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The financial resources of the person and the nature of the burden its payment imposes.

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing No Not provided for
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Maine Me. Rev. Stat. tit 17-A § 1607 Prohibition against imprisonment based on incapacity to pay fine

If a court finds that an individual has met the burden of proving incapacity to pay a fine pursuant to section 1702, subsection 2, the court may not impose a

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term of imprisonment or any other sentencing alternative involving imprisonment solely for the reason that the individual does not have the present or future capacity to pay the fine.

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Not provided for

At enforcement of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Not provided for No Not provided for
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North Dakota N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-32-05(1) Imposition of fine--Response to nonpayment
1. The court, in making a determination of the propriety of imposing a sentence to pay a fine, shall consider the following factors:a. The ability of the defendant to pay
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without undue hardship. b. Whether the defendant, other than a defendant organization, gained money or property as a result of commission. c. Whether the sentence to pay a fine will interfere with the defendant's capacity to make restitution. d. Whether a sentence to pay a fine will serve a valid rehabilitative purpose.
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ability of the defendant to pay without undue hardship

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

fine not imposed

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North Dakota N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-32-08(1) Hearing prior to ordering restitution, reparation, or reimbursement of indigent defense costs and expenses--Conditions--Collection of restitution for insufficient funds checks--Continuing appropriation
Before imposing restitution or reparation as a sentence or condition of probation, the court shall hold a hearing on the matter with notice to the prosecuting attorney and to the
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defendant as to the nature and amount of restitution. The court, when sentencing a person adjudged guilty of criminal activities that have resulted in pecuniary damages, in addition to any other sentence the court may impose, shall order that the defendant make restitution to the victim or other recipient as determined by the court, unless the court states on the record, based upon the criteria in this subsection, the reason it does not order restitution or orders only partial restitution. Restitution must include payment to the owner of real property that is contaminated by the defendant in the manufacturing of methamphetamine for the cost of removing the contamination and returning the property to the property's condition before contamination and to any other person that has incurred costs in decontaminating the property. In determining whether to order restitution, the court shall take into account: a. The reasonable damages sustained by the victim or victims of the criminal offense, which damages are limited to those directly related to the criminal offense and expenses actually incurred as a direct result of the defendant's criminal action. This can include an amount equal to the cost of necessary and related professional services and devices relating to physical, psychiatric, and psychological care. The defendant may be required as part of the sentence imposed by the court to pay the prescribed treatment costs for a victim of a sexual offense as defined in chapters 12.1-20 and 12.1-27.2. b. The ability of the defendant to restore the fruits of the criminal action or to pay monetary reparations, or to otherwise take action to restore the victim's property. c. The likelihood that attaching a condition relating to restitution or reparation will serve a valid rehabilitational purpose in the case of the particular offender considered.The court shall fix the amount of restitution or reparation, which may not exceed an amount the defendant can or will be able to pay, and shall fix the manner of performance of any condition or conditions of probation established pursuant to this subsection. The court shall order restitution be paid to the division of adult services for any benefits the division has paid or may pay under chapter 54-23.4 unless the court, on the record, directs otherwise. Any payments made pursuant to the order must be deducted from damages awarded in a civil action arising from the same incident. An order that a defendant make restitution or reparation as a sentence or condition of probation may, unless the court directs otherwise, be filed, transcribed, and enforced by the person entitled to the restitution or reparation or by the division of adult services in the same manner as civil judgments rendered by the courts of this state may be enforced.
All Not provided for Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes Not provided for
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North Dakota N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-32-08(5) Hearing prior to ordering restitution, reparation, or reimbursement of indigent defense costs and expenses--Conditions--Collection of restitution for insufficient funds checks--Continuing appropriation
If the court finds that the defendant is unable to pay a fine, supervision fee, reimbursement for indigent defense costs and expenses, or restitution or reparations, the court may order
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the defendant to perform reasonable assigned work in lieu of all or part of a fine, a supervision fee, reimbursement for indigent defense costs and expenses, or restitution or reparations. The defendant may not perform reasonable assigned work in lieu of restitution or reparations unless the person entitled to restitution or reparations has consented in writing or on the record.
All Not provided for Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes

reasonable assigned work in lieu of all or part of paynment

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North Dakota N.D. Cent. Code § 29-26-22.2 Authority to compromise judgment by county commissioners
The board of county commissioners has authority to compromise and settle any judgment for fines or costs payable to the county treasury after a lapse of two years from the
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filing thereof, if in the opinion of said board said judgment cannot be collected in full. Upon receipt of a certified copy of the board's action, the state's attorney of said county shall in accordance therewith make and file a partial or total satisfaction of said judgment as attorney for the county.
All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Administrative decision No Not provided for
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North Dakota N.D. Cent. Code § 29-26-22(4) Judgment for fines--Court administration fee--Community service supervision fee--Special funds--Docketing and enforcement
A court may waive the administration fee or community service supervision fee upon a showing of indigency as provided in section 25-03.1-13. District court administration fees, exclusive of amounts deposited
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in the indigent defense administration fund and the court facilities and improvement fund, and forfeitures must be deposited in the state general fund. A judgment that the defendant pay a fine or fees, or both, may be docketed and if docketed constitutes a lien upon the real estate of the defendant in like manner as a judgment for money rendered in a civil action. The court may allow the defendant to pay any assessed administration fee or community service supervision fee in installments. When a defendant is assessed administration fees or a community service supervision fee, the court may not impose at the same time an alternative sentence to be served if the fees are not paid.
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The statute refers to N.D. Cent. Code § 25-03.1-13(4), which contains a general provision about indigency: "If the court determines that the respondent is indigent, the court shall order that

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appointed counsel be compensated from county funds of the county that is the respondent's place of residence in a reasonable amount based upon time and expenses. After notice and hearing, the court may order a respondent with appointed counsel to reimburse the county for expenditures made on the respondent's behalf."

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

Court may waive the administration fee or community service supervision fee.

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North Dakota N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-32-08(1) Hearing prior to ordering restitution, reparation, or reimbursement of indigent defense costs and expenses--Conditions--Collection of restitution for insufficient funds checks--Continuing appropriation
In determining whether to order restitution, the court shall take into account: . . . The ability of the defendant to restore the fruits of the criminal action or to
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pay monetary reparations, or to otherwise take action to restore the victim's property. . . . The court shall fix the amount of restitution or reparation, which may not exceed an amount the defendant can or will be able to pay, and shall fix the manner of performance of any condition or conditions of probation established pursuant to this subsection.
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ability of defendant to pay monetary reparations

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

amount of restitution shall not exceed ability to pay

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North Dakota N.D. Cent. Code § 27-01-10(3) Fee assessments for funding crime victim and witness programs
The district or municipal judge may assess the fee when sentence is imposed or when sentence is suspended or imposition of sentence is deferred, unless the defendant is indigent and
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unable to pay the fee.
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indigent and unable to pay the fee

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

fee is not assessed

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North Dakota N.D. Cent. Code § 29-07-1.1 Payment of expenses for defense of indigents--Reimbursement of indigent defense costs and expenses--Indigent defense administration fund--Continuing appropriation
For an application for indigent defense services in the district court, a nonrefundable application fee of thirty-five dollars must be paid at the time the application is submitted. The district
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court may extend the time for payment of the fee or may waive or reduce the fee if the court determines the defendant is financially unable to pay all or part of the fee.
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financially unable to pay all or part of the fee

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

extend time for payment; reduce fee

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North Dakota N.D. Cent. Code § 29-26-22(4) Judgment for fines--Court administration fee--Community service supervision fee--Special funds--Docketing and enforcement A court may waive the administration fee or community service supervision fee upon a showing of indigence as provided in section 25-03.1-13. All

indigence as provided in section 25-03.1-13

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for No

fee may be waived; defendant may be allowed to pay in installments

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North Dakota N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-32-08(4)(a) Hearing prior to ordering restitution, reparation, or reimbursement of indigent defense costs and expenses--Conditions--Collection of restitution for insufficient funds checks--Continuing appropriation
Under section 12.1-32-07, the court may order that the defendant reimburse indigent defense costs and expenses as a condition of probation. Unless it finds that there is no likelihood that
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the defendant is or will be able to pay attorney's fees and expenses, the court, in its judgment of conviction, and in any order or amended judgment following a revocation or other postjudgment proceeding, shall notify the defendant, the defendant's probation officer, and the prosecuting attorney of the presumed amount of costs and expenses to be reimbursed, as determined by the commission on legal counsel for indigents, and of the right to a hearing on the reimbursement amount. The reimbursement amount must include an application fee imposed under section 29-07-01.1 if the fee has not been paid before disposition of the case and the court has not waived payment of the fee. If the defendant or prosecutor requests a hearing within thirty days of receiving notice under this subdivision, the court shall schedule a hearing at which the actual amount of attorney's fees and expenses must be shown. In determining the amount and method of reimbursement, the court shall consider the financial resources of the defendant and the nature of the burden that reimbursement of costs and expenses will impose.
All Not provided for Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes

reimbursement is waived

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North Dakota N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-32-02.2(1) Repayment of rewards paid by crimestoppers programs--Duties of attorney general--Qualified local programs--Disbursement of moneys collected
1. After a defendant has been convicted of a felony, the court may order the defendant to repay all or part of any reward paid by a qualified local program.
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In determining whether the defendant must repay the reward or part of the reward, the court shall consider: a. The ability of the defendant to make the payments, including any financial hardship that payment may cause to the defendant's dependents.
Felony

ability of the defendant to make the payments, including any financial hardship that payment may cause to the defendant's dependents

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

defendant pays part or non of the reward