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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Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2284 Probation or parole; revocation; conditions
If the defendant is placed on probation or paroled, the court may revoke probation, and the Board of Parole may revoke parole if the defendant fails to comply with the
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restitution order. In determining whether to revoke probation or parole, the court or Board of Parole shall consider the defendant's earning ability and financial resources, the willfulness of the defendant's failure to pay, and any special circumstances affecting the defendant's ability to pay. Probation or parole may not be revoked unless noncompliance with the restitution order is attributable to an intentional refusal to obey the order or a failure to make a good faith effort to comply with the order.
All Not provided for At enforcement of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes

N/A

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Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2206(1)(a),(2) Fine and costs; commitment until paid; installments; deduction from bond; suspension or revocation of motor vehicle operator's license

(1) (a) In all cases in which courts or magistrates have now or may hereafter have the power to punish offenses, either in whole or in part, by requiring the offender

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to pay fines or costs, or both, such courts or magistrates may make it a part of the sentence that the party stand committed and be imprisoned in the jail of the proper county until the fines or costs are paid or secured to be paid or the offender is otherwise discharged according to law if the court or magistrate determines that the offender has the financial ability to pay such fines or costs. The court or magistrate may make such determination at the sentencing hearing or at a separate hearing prior to sentencing. A separate hearing shall not be required. In making such determination, the court or magistrate may consider the information or evidence adduced in an earlier proceeding pursuant to section 29-3902, 29-3903, 29-3906, or 29-3916. At any such hearing, the offender shall have the opportunity to present information as to his or her income, assets, debts, or other matters affecting his or her financial ability to pay. Following such hearing and prior to imposing sentence, the court or magistrate shall determine the offender’s financial ability to pay the fines or costs, including his or her financial ability to pay in installments under subsection (2) of this section.

(2) If the court or magistrate determines, pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, that an offender is financially unable to pay such fines or costs in one lump sum but is financially capable of paying in installments, the court or magistrate shall make arrangements suitable to the court or magistrate and to the offender by which the offender may pay in installments. The court or magistrate shall enter an order specifying the terms of such arrangements and the dates on which payments are to be made. 

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Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge after hearing Yes

Payment in installments.

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Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2412(2) Fine and costs; nonpayment; commutation upon confinement; credit; amount.

(2) Whenever it is made satisfactorily to appear to the district court, or to the county judge of the proper county, after all legal means have been exhausted, that any person

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who is confined in jail for any fines or costs of prosecution for any criminal offense has no estate with which to pay such fines or costs, it shall be the duty of such court or judge, on his or her own motion or upon the motion of the person so confined, to discharge such person from further imprisonment for such fines or costs, which discharge shall operate as a complete release of such fines or costs.

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No estate with which to pay such fines or costs

At enforcement of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for No

If imprisoned for nonpayment of fines and costs, then discharged from prison.

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Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2412(1)(a),(c) Fine and costs; nonpayment; commutation upon confinement; credit; amount

(1) (a) Any person arrested and brought into custody on a warrant for failure to pay fines or costs, for failure to appear before a court or magistrate on the due

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date of such fines or costs, or for failure to comply with the terms of an order pursuant to sections 29-2206 and 29-2206.01, shall be entitled to a hearing on the first regularly scheduled court date following the date of arrest. The purpose of such hearing shall be to determine the person’s financial ability to pay such fines or costs. At the hearing, the person shall have the opportunity to present information as to his or her income, assets, debts, or other matters affecting his or her financial ability to pay. Following the hearing, the court or magistrate shall determine the person’s ability to pay the fines or costs, including his or her financial ability to pay by installment payments as described in section 29-2206;

(c) If the court or magistrate determines that the person is financially unable to pay the fines or costs, the court or magistrate: (i) Shall either: (A) Enter an order pursuant to subdivision (1)(d) of this section discharging the person of such fines or costs; or (B) If the person is subject to an order to pay installments pursuant to section 29-2206, the court or magistrate shall either enter an order pursuant to subdivision (1)(d) of this section discharging the person of such obligation or make any necessary modifications to the order specifying the terms of the installment payments as justice may require and that will enable the person to pay the fines or costs; and (ii) May order the person to complete community service for a specified number of hours pursuant to sections 29-2277 to 29-2279;

 

All Not provided for At defendant's request at enforcement Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing Yes

Discharge payment of fines; installment payments; community service in lieu of fines.

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Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2262.06(4) Fees; waiver; when; failure to pay; effect

The court shall waive payment of the monthly probation programming fees in whole or in part if after a hearing a determination is made that such payment would constitute an

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undue hardship on the offender due to limited income, employment or school status, or physical or mental handicap. Such waiver shall be in effect only during the period of time that the probationer or participant in a non-probation-based program or service is unable to pay his or her monthly probation programming fee.

All

Undue hardship due to limited income, employment or school status, or physical or mental hardship

At enforcement of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing No

Waive payment of the monthly probation programming fees

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Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2281 Restitution; determination of amount; manner of payment

To determine the amount of restitution, the court may hold a hearing at the time of sentencing. The amount of restitution shall be based on the actual damages sustained by

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the victim and shall be supported by evidence which shall become a part of the court record. The court shall consider the defendant’s earning ability, employment status, financial resources, and family or other legal obligations and shall balance such considerations against the obligation to the victim. In considering the earning ability of a defendant who is sentenced to imprisonment, the court may receive evidence of money anticipated to be earned by the defendant during incarceration. A person may not be granted or denied probation or parole either solely or primarily due to his or her financial resources or ability or inability to pay restitution. The court may order that restitution be made immediately, in specified installments, or within a specified period of time not to exceed five years after the date of judgment or defendant’s final release date from imprisonment, whichever is later

All

Defendant's earning ability, employment status, financial resources, and family or other legal obligations and shall balance such considerations against the obligation to the victim. In considering the earning ability of

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a defendant who is sentenced to imprisonment, the court may receive evidence of money anticipated to be earned by the defendant during incarceration.

At enforcement of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing Yes

N/A

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Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2262(2)(m) Probation; conditions

(2) The court may, as a condition of a sentence of probation, require the offender:
(m) To pay for tests to determine the presence of drugs or alcohol, psychological evaluations,

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offender assessment screens, and rehabilitative services required in the identification, evaluation, and treatment of offenders if such offender has the financial ability to pay for such services;

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Not provided for

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

N/A

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Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2208(1)-(2),(4) Fines or costs; person financially unable to pay; hearing; determination; court or magistrate; powers; order; operate as release

(1) A person who has been ordered to pay fines or costs and who has not been arrested or brought into custody as described in subdivision (1)(a) of section 29-2412

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but who believes himself or herself to be financially unable to pay such fines or costs may request a hearing to determine such person's financial ability to pay such fines or costs. The hearing shall be scheduled on the first regularly scheduled court date following the date of the request. Pending the hearing, the person shall not be arrested or brought into custody for failure to pay such fines or costs or failure to appear before a court or magistrate on the due date of such fines or costs.
(2) At the hearing, the person shall have the opportunity to present information as to his or her income, assets, debts, or other matters affecting his or her financial ability to pay. Following the hearing, the court or magistrate shall determine the person's financial ability to pay the fines or costs, including his or her financial ability to pay in installments as described in section 29-2206.
(4) If the court or magistrate determines that the person is financially unable to pay the fines or costs, the court or magistrate:
(a) Shall either:
(i) Enter an order pursuant to subsection (5) of this section discharging the person of such fines or costs; or
(ii) If the person is subject to an order to pay installments pursuant to section 29-2206, the court or magistrate shall either enter an order pursuant to subsection (5) of this section discharging the person of such obligation or make any necessary modifications to the order specifying the terms of the installment payments as justice may require and that will enable the person to pay the fines or costs; and
(b) May order the person to complete community service for a specified number of hours pursuant to sections 29-2277 to 29-2279.

All

Not provided for

At enforcement of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing No

Waive fines or costs; discharge person of installment order to pay fines or costs; make any necessary modifications to the order specifying the terms of the installment payments as justice may

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require and that will enable the person to pay the fines or costs; order the person to complete community service.

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Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2262(2)(o) Probation; conditions

(2) The court may, as a condition of a sentence of probation, require the offender:
(o) To be monitored by an electronic surveillance device or system and to pay the

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cost of such device or system if the offender has the financial ability;

All

Not provided for

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

N/A

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Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2262.06(1),(4)-(6) Fees; waiver; when; failure to pay; effect


(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, whenever a district court or county court sentences an adult offender to probation, the court shall require the probationer to pay

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a one-time administrative enrollment fee and thereafter a monthly probation programming fee.
(4) The court shall waive payment of the monthly probation programming fees in whole or in part if after a hearing a determination is made that such payment would constitute an undue hardship on the offender due to limited income, employment or school status, or physical or mental handicap. Such waiver shall be in effect only during the period of time that the probationer or participant in a non-probation-based program or service is unable to pay his or her monthly probation programming fee.
(5) If a probationer defaults in the payment of monthly probation programming fees or any installment thereof, the court may revoke his or her probation for nonpayment, except that probation shall not be revoked nor shall the offender be imprisoned for such nonpayment if the probationer is financially unable to make the payment, if he or she so states to the court in writing under oath, and if the court so finds after a hearing.
(6) If the court determines that the default in payment described in subsection (5) of this section was not attributable to a deliberate refusal to obey the order of the court or to failure on the probationer's part to make a good faith effort to obtain the funds required for payment, the court may enter an order allowing the probationer additional time for payment, reducing the amount of each installment, or revoking the fees or the unpaid portion in whole or in part.

All

Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing No

Fee waiver; allowing the probationer additional time for payment; reducing the amount of each installment; revoking the fees or the unpaid portion in whole or in part

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Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-3902 Indigent defendant; right to counsel

At a felony defendant's first appearance before a court, the court shall advise him or her of the right to court-appointed counsel if he or she is indigent. If he

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or she asserts indigency, the court shall make a reasonable inquiry to determine his or her financial condition and may require him or her to execute an affidavit of indigency. If the court determines him or her to be indigent, it shall formally appoint the public defender to represent him or her in all proceedings before the court and shall make a notation of such appointment and appearances of the public defender upon the felony complaint. The same procedure shall be followed by the court in misdemeanor cases punishable by imprisonment.

All

Indigent

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

Formally appoint the public defender to represent him or her in all proceedings before the court

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Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-3906 Misdemeanor defendant; indigent; counties with no public defender; court-appointed counsel; compensation

In counties not having public defenders, the court may appoint an attorney licensed to practice law in this state to represent any indigent person who is charged with a misdemeanor

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offense punishable by imprisonment. When such a defendant asserts indigency, the court shall make a reasonable inquiry to determine the defendant's financial condition and may require him or her to execute an affidavit of indigency. Attorneys appointed pursuant to this section shall be compensated in the manner provided by section 29-3905 with application being made to the appointing court.

All

Indigent

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

Court appoints an attorney licensed to practice law in this state to represent any indigent person who is charged with a misdemeanor offense punishable by imprisonment

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Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-4121 DNA testing; costs

The cost of DNA testing ordered under subsection (5) of section 29-4120 shall be paid by the person filing the motion, unless the court determines such person to be indigent.

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If the person filing such motion is determined by the court to be indigent, the costs shall be paid by the state in the following manner:
(1) If the Commission on Public Advocacy has been appointed to represent the person filing the motion, as determined under section 29-4122, the costs of testing shall be paid by the commission from funds appropriated by the Legislature; and
(2) If the Commission on Public Advocacy has not been appointed to represent the person filing the motion, the court shall hold a hearing to determine the costs for DNA testing. The court shall order the commission to pay such costs. The order shall be forwarded by the clerk of the court to the commission, along with copies of all invoices for such DNA testing. Upon receipt, the commission shall pay such costs from funds appropriated by the Legislature.

All

Indigent

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

Costs paid by the state.

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Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-718(3) Child protection cases; central registry; name-change order; treatment; fee; waiver

The department may charge a reasonable fee in an amount established by the department in rules and regulations to recover expenses in carrying out central registry records checks. The fee

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shall not exceed three dollars for each request to check the records of the central registry. The department shall remit the fees to the State Treasurer for credit to the Health and Human Services Cash Fund. The department may waive the fee if the requesting party shows the fee would be an undue financial hardship. The department shall use the fees to defray costs incurred to carry out such records checks. The department may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations to carry out this section.

All

Undue financial hardship

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

Fee waiver

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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.
All

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.
All

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.
All

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