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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New Jersey N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2B:12-23.1 Inability to pay fine in full on date of court hearing
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, if a municipal court finds that a person does not have the ability to pay a penalty in full on the date
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of the hearing or has failed to pay a previously imposed penalty, the court may order the person to perform community service in lieu of the payment of a penalty; or, order the payment of the penalty in installments for a period of time determined by the court.
All Not provided for Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing No

Community service, installment plan

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New Jersey N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2B:12-23.1 Default of payment
If a person defaults on any payment and a municipal court finds that the defendant does not have the ability to pay, the court may: (1) reduce the penalty, suspend
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the penalty, or modify the installment plan; (2) order that credit be given against the amount owed for each day of confinement, if the court finds that the person has served jail time for the default; (3) revoke any unpaid portion of the penalty, if the court finds that the circumstances that warranted the imposition have changed or that it would be unjust to require payment; (4) order the person to perform community service in lieu of payment of the penalty; or (5) impose any other alternative permitted by law in lieu of payment of the penalty. b. For the purposes of this section, “penalty” means any fine, statutorily-mandated assessment, surcharge or other financial penalty imposed by a municipal court, except restitution or a surcharge assessed pursuant to subsection f. of section 1 of P.L.2000, c. 75 (C.39:4-97.2).
All Not provided for At enforcement of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing No

(1) reduce the penalty, suspend the penalty, or modify the installment plan; (2) order that credit be given against the amount owed for each day of confinement, if the court

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finds that the person has served jail time for the default; (3) revoke any unpaid portion of the penalty, if the court finds that the circumstances that warranted the imposition have changed or that it would be unjust to require payment; (4) order the person to perform community service in lieu of payment of the penalty; or (5) impose any other alternative permitted by law in lieu of payment of the penalty

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New Jersey N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:44-2 Criteria for imposing fines
a. The court may sentence a defendant to pay a fine in addition to a sentence of imprisonment or probation if: (1) The defendant has derived a pecuniary gain from the offense
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or the court is of opinion that a fine is specially adapted to deterrence of the type of offense involved or to the correction of the offender; (2) The defendant is able, or given a fair opportunity to do so, will be able to pay the fine; and (3) The fine will not prevent the defendant from making restitution to the victim of the offense... c. (1) In determining the amount and method of payment of a fine, the court shall take into account the financial resources of the defendant and the nature of the burden that its payment will impose.
All Not provided for Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes Not provided for
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New Jersey N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:44-2 Criteria for imposing restitution
b. The court shall sentence a defendant to pay restitution in addition to a sentence of imprisonment or probation that may be imposed if: (1) The victim, or in the case
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of a homicide, the nearest relative of the victim, suffered a loss; and (2) The defendant is able to pay or, given a fair opportunity, will be able to pay restitution. c. (1) In determining the amount and method of payment of a fine, the court shall take into account the financial resources of the defendant and the nature of the burden that its payment will impose. (2) In determining the amount and method of payment of restitution, the court shall take into account all financial resources of the defendant, including the defendant's likely future earnings, and shall set the amount of restitution so as to provide the victim with the fullest compensation for loss that is consistent with the defendant's ability to pay. The court shall not reduce a restitution award by any amount that the victim has received from the Violent Crimes Compensation Board, but shall order the defendant to pay any restitution ordered for a loss previously compensated by the Board to the Violent Crimes Compensation Board. If restitution to more than one person is set at the same time, the court shall set priorities of payment.
All Not provided for Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes Not provided for
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New Jersey N.J.Stat.Ann. § 2C:46-3 Revocation of fine
A defendant who has been sentenced to pay a fine may at any time petition the court which sentenced him for a revocation of the fine or of any unpaid
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portion thereof. If it appears to the satisfaction of the court that the circumstances which warranted the imposition of the fine have changed, or that it would otherwise be unjust to require payment, the court may revoke the fine or the unpaid portion thereof in whole or in part.
All

"would be otherwise unjust to require payment"

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

revoke the fine in whole or in part

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New Jersey N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:158A-16 services rendered - ability to pay
In all cases where it appears that the defendant has or reasonably expects to have means to meet some part, though not all, of the cost of the services rendered
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to him he shall be required to reimburse the office, either by a single payment or in installments, in such amounts as he can reasonably be expected to pay; but no default or failure in the making of any such payment shall in any wise affect or reduce the rendering of the services to him.
All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Yes

Not specified

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New Jersey N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:43-3.1 defendant's ability to pay
In imposing this assessment, the court shall consider factors such as the severity of the crime, the defendant's criminal record, defendant's ability to pay and the economic impact of the
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assessment on the defendant's dependents.
All Not provided for Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes

Not specified

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New Jersey N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:43-13.8 (West) Conditional dismissal assessment, restitution and other assessments
A defendant may apply for a waiver of the fee, by reason of poverty, pursuant to the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey, or the court
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may permit the defendant to pay the conditional dismissal fee and other assessments in installments or may order other alternatives pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2009, c. 317 (C.2B:12-23.1).
All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

waiver of fee, payment plan

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New Jersey N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:45-1 Conditions of Suspension or Probation This fee may be waived in cases of indigency upon application by the chief probation officer to the sentencing court. All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Other No

waived

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Oregon Or. Rev. Stat. § 161.645 Ability to pay -- prior to imposition of fine
In determining whether to impose a fine and its amount, the court shall consider: (1) The financial resources of the defendant and the burden that payment of a fine will impose,
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with due regard to the other obligations of the defendant; and (2) The ability of the defendant to pay a fine on an installment basis or on other conditions to be fixed by the court. [1971 c.743 §78]
All

(1) The financial resources of the defendant and the burden that payment of a fine will impose, with due regard to the other obligations of the defendant; and
(2) The

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ability of the defendant to pay a fine on an installment basis or on other conditions to be fixed by the court. [1971 c.743 §78]

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

Payment plan

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Oregon Or. Rev. Stat. § 135.050(1) Eligibility for court-appointed counsel; financial statement; termination; civil liability

(1) Suitable counsel for a defendant shall be appointed by a municipal, county or justice court if:(a) The defendant is before a court on a matter described in subsection (5)

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of this section; (b) The defendant requests aid of counsel; (c) The defendant provides to the court a written and verified financial statement; and (d) It appears to the court that the defendant is financially unable to retain adequate representation without substantial hardship in providing basic economic necessities to the defendant or the defendants dependent family.

All

Substantial hardship in providing basic economic necessities to the defendant or the defendants' dependent family

Not provided for Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing Yes

N/A

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Oregon Or. Rev. Stat. § 135.050(2) Eligibility for court-appointed counsel; financial statement; termination; civil liability

(2) Suitable counsel for a defendant shall be appointed by a circuit court if: (a) The defendant is before the court on a matter described in subsection (5) of this

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section; (b) The defendant requests aid of counsel; (c) The defendant provides to the court a written and verified financial statement; and (d)(A) The defendant is determined to be financially eligible under ORS 151.485 (Financial eligibility) and the standards established by the Public Defense Services Commission under ORS 151.216 (Duties); or (B) The court finds, on the record, substantial and compelling reasons why the defendant is financially unable to retain adequate representation without substantial hardship in providing basic economic necessities to the defendant or the defendants dependent family despite the fact that the defendant does not meet the financial eligibility standards established by the commission.

All

Substantial hardship in providing basic economic necessities to the defendant or the defendants dependent family despite the fact that the defendant does not meet the financial eligibility standards established by

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the commission.

Not provided for Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing Yes

N/A

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Oregon Or. Rev. Stat. § 151.485(1)-(2) Financial eligibility; determination; financial statement; termination of appointed counsel

(1) For purposes of determining the financial eligibility for appointed counsel of persons with a constitutional or statutory right to counsel in matters before the state courts and whose counsel

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is authorized to be paid by the public defense services executive director under ORS 151.219 (Public defense services executive director), a person is financially eligible for appointed counsel if the person is determined to be financially unable to retain adequate counsel without substantial hardship in providing basic economic necessities to the person or the persons dependent family under standards established by the Public Defense Services Commission under ORS 151.216.

(2) A determination of financial eligibility shall be made upon the basis of information contained in a detailed financial statement submitted by the person for whom counsel is requested or appointed or, in an appropriate case, by the persons parent, guardian or custodian. The financial statement shall be in the form prescribed by the Public Defense Services Commission. The form shall contain a full disclosure of all assets, liabilities, current income, dependents and other information required by ORS 135.050 (4) and, in addition, any information required by the commission and state courts as necessary to determine eligibility. The commission shall adopt uniform statewide guidelines and procedures that prescribe how to use the form and determine financial eligibility for appointed counsel.

All

Substantial hardship in providing basic economic necessities to the person or the persons dependent family under standards established by the Public Defense Services Commission under ORS 151.216.

Not provided for Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing Yes

N/A

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

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

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

All

Not provided for

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

Payment Plan

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Oregon Or. Rev. Stat. § 137.286(3) Minimum fines for misdemeanors and felonies

A court may waive payment of the minimum fine established by this section, in whole or in part, if the court finds that requiring payment of the minimum fine would

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be inconsistent with justice in the case. In making its determination under this subsection, the court shall consider: (a) The financial resources of the defendant and the burden that payment of the minimum fine will impose, with due regard to the other obligations of the defendant; and (b) The extent to which that burden can be alleviated by allowing the defendant to pay the monetary obligations imposed by the court on an installment basis or on other conditions to be fixed by the court.

Misdemeanor, Felony

Inconsistent with justice in the case; the financial resources of the defendant and the burden that payment of the minimum fine will impose, with due regard to the other obligations

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of the defendant; and the extent to which that burden can be alleviated by allowing the defendant to pay the monetary obligations imposed by the court on an installment basis or on other conditions to be fixed by the court.

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

Fine waiver in whole or in part.

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Oregon Or. Rev. Stat. § 161.665(4)-(5) Costs

(4) The court may not sentence a defendant to pay costs under this section unless the defendant is or may be able to pay them. In determining the amount and method

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of payment of costs, the court shall take account of the financial resources of the defendant and the nature of the burden that payment of costs will impose.

(5) A defendant who has been sentenced to pay costs under this section and who is not in contumacious default in the payment of costs may at any time petition the court that sentenced the defendant for remission of the payment of costs or of any unpaid portion of costs. If it appears to the satisfaction of the court that payment of the amount due will impose manifest hardship on the defendant or the immediate family of the defendant, the court may enter a supplemental judgment that remits all or part of the amount due in costs, or modifies the method of payment under ORS 161.675.

All

Financial resources of the defendant and the nature of the burden that payment of costs will impose; amount due will impose manifest hardship on the defendant or the immediate family

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of the defendant

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

Cost not imposed; modifies method of payment or remission of payment.

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Oregon Or. Rev. Stat. § 151.505(3) Authority of court to order repayment of costs related to provision of appointed counsel

The court may not require a person to pay costs under this section unless the person is or may be able to pay the costs. In determining the amount and

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method of payment of costs, the court shall take account of the financial resources of the person and the nature of the burden that payment of costs will impose.

All

Financial resources of the person and the nature of the burden that payment of costs will impose

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

Costs not imposed

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Oregon Or. Rev. Stat. § 423.570(6) Monthly fee payable by person on supervised release; use; payment as condition of release; waiver

In cases of financial hardship or when otherwise advisable in the interest of the released person's rehabilitation: (a) The community corrections manager may waive or reduce the amount of the

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fee. (b) The sentencing court may waive or reduce the amount of the fee for any person whom the court has sentenced to probation. If any of the fee requirement is reduced by the court, only the court may restore the requirement.

All

Financial hardship

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

Waive or reduce amount of the fee

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Oregon Or. Rev. Stat. § 179.640 Determination of ability to pay; rules; financial information; notice; order; hearing; appeal.

(1)(a) The Department of Corrections and the Oregon Health Authority shall establish rules for determining ability to pay for persons in their respective institutions. The rules adopted by each agency

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shall require, in addition to other relevant factors, consideration of the personal estate, the person’s need for funds for personal support after release, and the availability of third-party benefits such as, but not limited to, Medicare or private insurance. Each agency may also consider the probable length of stay at the state institution. Nothing in this section requires the Department of Corrections to investigate a person’s ability to pay or to issue an ability-to-pay order. (b) When adopting rules under paragraph (a) of this subsection, the Department of Corrections shall consider the person’s needs for funds to pay for the support of the person’s children and to pay any monetary obligations imposed on the person as a result of the person’s conviction.

(2) In determining a person’s ability to pay, none of the agencies may consider as part of the personal estate of the person or the decedent’s estate: (a) Any assets received by or owing to the person and the personal estate of the person, or the decedent’s estate, as compensation from the state for injury, death or, if the collection is being made by the Department of Corrections, the false imprisonment of the person that occurred when the person was in a state institution listed in ORS 179.321 (Responsibility to supervise state institutions) and for which the state admits liability or is found liable through adjudication; and (b) Any real or personal property that the person or an authorized representative of the person can demonstrate was purchased solely with assets referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection or partially with such assets, to the extent such assets were used in the purchase.

(3) A person and the authorized representative of the person, if any, shall provide all financial information requested by the agency that is necessary to determine the person’s ability to pay. To determine ability to pay, the agency may use any information available to the agency, including information provided by the Department of Revenue from personal income tax returns pursuant to ORS 314.840 (Disclosure of information). Upon request, the Department of Revenue shall release copies of tax returns to the agency. When the person or the person’s authorized representative fails to provide evidence to demonstrate an inability to pay full cost of care, the agency may determine the person has the ability to pay the full cost of care.

(4) The agency shall provide actual notice to the person and any authorized representative, if known to the agency, of its determination by issuing an ability-to-pay order. The order shall state the person’s full liability and the person’s determined ability to pay. Actual notice means receipt by the person and the authorized representative of notice. The notice shall include a copy of the ability-to-pay order, a description of the person’s appeal rights and the date upon which appeal rights terminate and state the address where a request for hearing may be mailed or delivered. At any time, the agency may reissue an ability-to-pay order to notify an authorized representative as provided by ORS 179.653 (Unpaid costs as lien on property) (4).

(5) At any time during the person’s stay at the state institution or within 36 months from the date the person is released, if the agency receives new financial information that shows a change in the person’s financial circumstances, the agency shall consider the changed circumstances and issue a new ability-to-pay order.

(6) Orders issued after the person is released may not require the person to make payments toward the cost of care for more than 36 consecutive months following release. However, the agency may collect beyond the 36-month period any payments that became due but were not paid within the 36 months following release. Any remaining balance of full cost of care shall be collected as provided in ORS 179.740 (Collection from estates).

(7) Notwithstanding ORS 183.315 (Application of provisions of chapter to certain agencies) (5), if a person or authorized representative disagrees with any ability-to-pay order issued pursuant to this section, the person or authorized representative may request a contested case hearing. To the extent practical, the hearing will be held at a location convenient to the person or the authorized representative. The request must be postmarked within 60 days from the date of the mailing of the ability-to-pay order. If the person or the authorized representative makes a timely request for a contested case hearing, the hearing and any appeal of the final hearing order shall be governed by ORS 183.413 (Notice to parties before hearing of rights and procedure) to 183.497 (Awarding costs and attorney fees when finding for petitioner). If the person or the authorized representative fails to make a timely request for a contested case hearing, the ability-to-pay order shall be final and not subject to judicial review, except as subsequently modified by the agency as provided in subsection (5) of this section.

(8) On appeal, regardless of other information presented, payment of the full cost of care may be ordered if the person or the authorized representative refuses to produce financial information that the Hearings Officer or administrative law judge determines is relevant and must be produced. [1959 c.652 §4; 1961 c.501 §2; 1967 c.549 §4; 1973 c.806 §3a; 1973 c.823 §§123,159; 1989 c.348 §3; 1997 c.170 §15; 1999 c.159 §2; 2001 c.487 §3; 2003 c.75 §86; 2009 c.595 §149; 2013 c.36 §59; 2015 c.348 §26]

All

The rules adopted by each agency shall require, in addition to other relevant factors, consideration of the personal estate, the person’s need for funds for personal support after release, and

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the availability of third-party benefits such as, but not limited to, Medicare or private insurance. Each agency may also consider the probable length of stay at the state institution. Nothing in this section requires the Department of Corrections to investigate a person’s ability to pay or to issue an ability-to-pay order. (b) When adopting rules under paragraph (a) of this subsection, the Department of Corrections shall consider the person’s needs for funds to pay for the support of the person’s children and to pay any monetary obligations imposed on the person as a result of the person’s conviction.

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

N/A

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Oregon Or. Rev. Stat. § 151.487(1),(4) Ability to pay; effect

(1) If in determining that a person is financially eligible for appointed counsel under ORS 151.485, the court finds that the person has financial resources that enable the person to pay in

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full or in part the administrative costs of determining the eligibility of the person and the costs of the legal and other services to be provided at state expense that are related to the provision of appointed counsel, the court shall enter a limited judgment requiring that the person pay to the Public Defense Services Account established by ORS 151.225, through the clerk of the court, the amount that it finds the person is able to pay without creating substantial hardship in providing basic economic necessities to the person or the person's dependent family. The amount that a court may require the person to pay is subject to the guidelines and procedures issued by the Public Defense Services Commission as provided in subsection (4) of this section.

(4) The commission shall promulgate and issue guidelines and procedures: (a) For the determination of persons provided with appointed counsel who have some financial resources to pay in full or in part the administrative, legal and other costs under subsection (1) of this section; and (b) Regarding the amounts persons may be required to pay by a court under subsection (1) of this section.

All

Amount that it finds the person is able to pay without creating substantial hardship in providing basic economic necessities to the person or the person's dependent family.

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

None specified