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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Oklahoma Okla. Stat. tit. 22, § 988.9 Fees and costs
In hardship cases the supervising agency may expressly waive all or part of the fee. No supervising agency participating in a local community sentencing system shall deny any offender supervision
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services for the sole reason that the offender is indigent.
All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Administrative decision No

Waiver of fee

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Oklahoma Okla. Stat. tit. 22, § 991a(A)(4) Sentencing powers of court--Alcohol and drug assessment and evaluation--Restitution, fines, or incarceration--Victim impact statements--Probation and monitoring--DNA samples
if, in the opinion of the court, the defendant is able to pay without imposing manifest hardship on the defendant, and if the costs incurred by the Bureau during the
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investigation of the defendant's case may be determined with reasonable certainty;
All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Other Yes

None specified

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Oklahoma Okla. Stat. tit. 22, § 471.6H Final eligibility hearing--Acceptance into program--Duration of participation--Costs and fees--Driving privileges
Court orders for costs and fees shall remain an obligation of the offender until fully paid; provided, however, once the offender has successfully completed the drug court program, the drug
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court judge shall have the discretion to expressly waive all or part of the costs and fees provided for in this subsection if, in the opinion of the drug court judge, continued payment of the costs and fees by the offender would create a financial hardship for the offender. Offenders who have not fully paid all costs and fees pursuant to court order but who have otherwise successfully completed the drug court program shall not be counted as an active drug court participant for purposes of drug court contracts or program participant numbers.
All

No financial hardship

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

Waiver of fee

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Oklahoma Okla. Stat. tit. 22, § 60.2C Protective order--Petition--Complaint requirement for certain stalking victims--Fees the court shall have authority to waive the costs and fees if the court finds that the party does not have the ability to pay the costs and fees. All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

Waiver of costs

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Oklahoma Okla. Stat. tit. 22, § 1355.14E Payment of costs of representation--Fee schedule
The fees shall be assessed unless ordered waived upon good cause shown by the indigent person, or unless another amount is specifically requested by counsel for the indigent person and
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is approved by the court.
All

Not indigent

At defendant's request before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Not provided for No

Waiver of fee

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Oklahoma Okla. Stat. tit. 10A, § 1-4-701A Reimbursements and costs by parents able to pay Upon notice to the parent or other person legally obligated to support the child and upon an opportunity to be heard and a finding of financial ability to pay All Not provided for Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing Yes

None specified

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Oklahoma Okla. Stat. tit. 22, § 1355A Application for representation by the System
except that the court may, based upon the financial information submitted, defer all or part of the fee if the court determines that the person does not have the financial
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resources to pay the fee at time of application, to attach as a court fee upon conviction.
All Not provided for At enforcement of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge without hearing No

Deferment of fee

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Oklahoma Okla. Stat. tit. 22, § 979a Payment of jail costs by inmate The defendant shall have an opportunity to object to the amount of costs solely on the grounds that the number of days served is incorrect. All

None. Defendant can only object on the grounds that the number of days served is incorrect.

Not provided for Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Not provided for Yes

Waiver of fee

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Oklahoma Okla. Stat. tit. 22, § 983b Released persons--Hearing to determine ability to pay fines, costs and fees
A. Any person released on parole or released without parole from a term of imprisonment with the Department of Corrections shall be required to report at a time not less
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than one hundred eighty (180) days after his or her release from the Department of Corrections to:1. The district court of the county from which the judgment and sentence resulting in incarceration arose; and 2. All other district courts or municipal courts where the person owes fines, fees, costs and assessments, for the purpose of scheduling a hearing to determine the ability of the person to pay fines, fees, costs or assessments owed by the person in every felony or misdemeanor criminal case filed in a district court or criminal case filed in a municipal court of this state. Such hearing shall be held in accordance with the provisions of Section VIII of the Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals, 22 O.S. 2011, Ch. 18, App. A court may for good cause shown or in its discretion continue such hearing for up to one hundred eighty (180) days. B. In determining the ability of the person to satisfy fines, fees, costs or assessments owed to a district or municipal court, the court shall inquire of the person at the time of the hearing which counties and municipalities the person owes fines, fees, costs or assessments in every felony or misdemeanor criminal case filed against the person and shall consider all court-ordered debt, including restitution and child support, in determining the ability of the person to pay. The person shall not be required to pay any outstanding fines, fees, costs or assessments prior to the expiration of the one-hundred-eighty-day period; provided, however, the person shall not be precluded from voluntarily making payment toward the satisfaction of any fines, fees, costs or assessments due and owing to a district or municipal court of this state.
All Not provided for At enforcement of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing Yes

Waiver of fees pursuant to § 983a: A. On or after November 1, 2016, the court shall have the authority to waive all outstanding fines, court costs and fees in

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a criminal case for any person who:
1. Served a period of imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections after conviction for a crime;
2. Has been released from the custody of the Department of Corrections;
3. Has complied with all probation or supervision requirements since being released from the custody of the Department of Corrections; and
4. Has made installment payments on outstanding fines, court costs, fees and restitution ordered by the court on a timely basis every month for the previous twenty-four (24) months following release from the custody of the Department of Corrections.
B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to amounts owed by the person for restitution to a victim pursuant to a court order or child support obligations pursuant to a court order.

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Oklahoma Okla. Stat. tit. 31, § 1.1 Earnings from personal services--Exemption from process--Order
A. Following the issuance of an execution, attachment, or garnishment, except process to collect a judgment or order for child support or maintenance of children or in cases in which
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the court has limited or reduced the application of this section pursuant to Section 142.18 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the debtor may file with the court an application requesting a hearing to exempt from such process by reason of undue hardship that portion of any earnings from personal services necessary for the maintenance of a family or other dependents supported wholly or partially by the labor of the debtor. A debtor with no family or other dependents may not claim an exemption under this section. A hearing on the application shall be set and conducted in the manner provided by Section 1172.2 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes and subsection C of Section 1174 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes.B. In determining the existence of an undue hardship, the court should consider the income and expenses of the family and other dependents, and the standard of living created by the income and expenses. The court should also consider the standard of living in relationship to the minimal subsistence needs of the debtor's family and other dependents, with comparison to the minimal subsistence standards in the community, in regard to basic shelter, food, clothing, personal necessities and transportation. The court should then determine if the lack of the funds sought to be exempt would be an undue hardship by creating less than a minimal level of subsistence. If deprivation of these earnings would create an undue hardship on the debtor and the family or other dependents the debtor supports, the court may: 1. Order all or a portion of the personal earnings exempt; or 2. In the case of a continuing earnings garnishment pursuant to Section 1173.4 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes, exempt all or a portion of the personal earnings withheld within the thirty (30) days preceding the filing of the claim for exemption or modify or stay the garnishment for a period of time not to exceed the remainder of the term of the garnishment.
All

Undue hardship

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

1. Order all or a portion of the personal earnings exempt; or
2. In the case of a continuing earnings garnishment pursuant to Section 1173.4 of Title 12 of the

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Oklahoma Statutes, exempt all or a portion of the personal earnings withheld within the thirty (30) days preceding the filing of the claim for exemption or modify or stay the garnishment for a period of time not to exceed the remainder of the term of the garnishment.

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Tennessee Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-101(b)(2) Assault - Domestic Abuse
if the relationship between the defendant and the victim of the assault is such that the victim is a domestic abuse victim as defined in § 36-3-601, and if, as
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determined by the court, the defendant possesses the ability to pay a fine in an amount not in excess of two hundred dollars ($200), then the court shall impose a fine at the level of the defendant's ability to pay, but not in excess of two hundred dollars ($200).
Misdemeanor

No definition of ability to pay is provided. However, in imposing fines, courts must consider the defendant's ability to pay, prior criminal history, potential for rehabilitation, financial means, and other

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mitigating and enhancing factors.

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

Imposition of a lower fee

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Tennessee Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-102(e)(2) Aggravated Assault - Domestic Abuse
In addition to any other punishment that may be imposed for a violation of this section, if the relationship between the defendant and the victim of the assault is such
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that the victim is a domestic abuse victim as defined in § 36-3-601, and if, as determined by the court, the defendant possesses the ability to pay a fine in an amount not in excess of two hundred dollars ($200), then the court shall impose a fine at the level of the defendant's ability to pay, but not in excess of two hundred dollars ($200).
All

No definition of ability to pay is provided. However, in imposing fines, courts must consider the defendant's ability to pay, prior criminal history, potential for rehabilitation, financial means, and other

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mitigating and enhancing factors.

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

Imposition of a lower fee

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Tennessee Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-111(c)(5) Domestic Assault - Additional Fee
In addition to any other punishment that may be imposed for a violation of this section, if, as determined by the court, the defendant possesses the ability to pay a
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fine in an amount not in excess of two hundred twenty-five dollars ($225), then the court shall impose a fine at the level of the defendant's ability to pay, but not in excess of two hundred twenty-five dollars ($225).
All

No definition of ability to pay is provided. However, in imposing fines, courts must consider the defendant's ability to pay, prior criminal history, potential for rehabilitation, financial means, and other

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mitigating and enhancing factors.

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

Imposition of a lower fee

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Tennessee Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-709(e) Sex Offender Conviction Tax
The court may waive all or any portion of the tax required by this section if the court finds that a person convicted of a sex offense is indigent or
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financially unable to pay.
All

No definition of ability to pay is provided. However, in imposing fines, courts must consider the defendant's ability to pay, prior criminal history, potential for rehabilitation, financial means, and other

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mitigating and enhancing factors.

Not provided for Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge after hearing No

Reduction or waiver of the fee

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Tennessee Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-428(d) Fines and Penalties; Mandatory Minimums; Allocation
(1) Unless the judge, using the applicable criteria set out in § 40-14-202(c), determines that a person convicted of violating this section is indigent, or that payment of the minimum
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fine would result in a severe economic hardship, or such fine would otherwise not be in the interests of justice, the minimum fines imposed by this section shall be mandatory and shall not be reduced, suspended, waived or otherwise released by the court. No plea agreement shall be accepted by a court if the agreement attempts to reduce or suspend all or any portion of the mandatory fines imposed by this section unless the judge determines that one (1) of the conditions set out in the first sentence of this subdivision (d)(1) exists.(2) If the judge of a court of general sessions determines that it is necessary to reduce, suspend, waive or otherwise release the minimum fines imposed by this section, the judge shall assess the fine, and write on the warrant the amount of the fine, the fact that it is reduced, suspended, waived or released and the reasons for the reduction, suspension, waiver or release. If done by the judge of a court of record, the judge shall assess the fine and make a specific finding of fact on the record relative to the reduction, suspension, waiver or release and the reasons for the reduction, suspension, waiver or release.
All

No definition of ability to pay is provided. However, in imposing fines, courts must consider the defendant's ability to pay, prior criminal history, potential for rehabilitation, financial means, and other

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mitigating and enhancing factors.

Not provided for Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge after hearing Yes

Reduction or waiver of the fee

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Tennessee Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-39-305(b) Sexual Offender Fee
The department may waive all or any portion of the fees required by this section if it determines that an offender is indigent or financially unable to pay all or
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any portion of the fee. The department shall waive only that portion of the surcharge which the offender is financially unable to pay.
All

No definition of ability to pay is provided. However, in imposing fines, courts must consider the defendant's ability to pay, prior criminal history, potential for rehabilitation, financial means, and other

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mitigating and enhancing factors.

Not provided for Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge after hearing No

Reduction or waiver of the fee

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Tennessee Tenn. Code Ann. § 41-2-128(5) Prisoners who may apply for release -- Procedure.
(5)(A) The judge shall, at the time of sentencing, cause the sentencing order to reflect the defendant's cost of incarceration and treatment and shall affix to the order, taking into
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consideration the defendant's ability to pay, the time and manner in which the costs are to be paid. The court shall enter the necessary orders requiring that the costs of incarceration and treatment be paid or secured, including, but not limited to, orders of probation that include, as a condition thereof, the payment of costs covered by this subdivision (c)(5).(B) When a defendant alleges inability to pay pursuant to the terms set out by the order, the defendant may petition the court for modification as to the terms of payment. When it is determined that the defendant is unable to pay the entirety of the costs covered by this subdivision (c)(5) in the time and manner imposed by the court, any costs imposed against the defendant shall be pursuant to a schedule promulgated by the chief administrative officer of the county, or the officer's designee, with the schedule to be based upon the defendant's ability to pay the same.(C) In promulgating the schedule governing costs and the amount thereof to be paid by the defendant, the chief administrative officer of the county, or the officer's designee, shall consider the defendant's ability to pay and the disbursement schedule set forth in § 41-2-129 and shall incorporate payments ordered in this subsection (c) into the schedule.(D) In no event shall a person be denied access to this program or be denied discharge from incarceration as a result of that person's inability to pay.
All Not provided for Not provided for Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Not provided for Yes

Reduction or waiver of the fee

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Tennessee Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-401(m) Fees for particular services
(m) Indigent parties. No clerk shall be permitted to collect any fee authorized by this section without permitting any person the opportunity to institute a cause of action by means
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of a pauper's oath, in accordance with Rule 29 of the Rules of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
All Not provided for At enforcement of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Not provided for Yes

Not specified

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Tennessee Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-15-105(a)(2)(F) Memoranda of Understanding
(a)(2) Prosecution of the defendant shall not be suspended unless the parties in the memorandum of understanding also agree that the defendant observe one (1) or more of the following
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conditions during the period in which the prosecution is suspended: . . . (F) That the defendant pay, in addition to the payment of ten dollars ($10.00) per month required by this section, any or all additional costs of the defendant's supervision, counseling or treatment in a specified manner based upon the defendant's ability to pay;
All Not provided for Not provided for Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Not provided for Yes

Reduction or waiver of the fee

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Tennessee Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-24-104 Nonpayment; Crimes and Offenses
(a) If the defendant fails to pay the fine as directed, or is unable to pay the fine and so represents upon application to the court, the court, after inquiring
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into and making further investigation, if any, which it may deem necessary with regard to the defendant's financial and family situation and the reasons for nonpayment of the fine, including whether the nonpayment was contumacious or was due to indigency, may enter any order that it could have entered under § 40-24-101, or may reduce the fine to an amount that the defendant is able to pay, or may direct that the defendant be imprisoned until the fine, or any portion of it, remaining unpaid or remaining undischarged after a pro rata credit for any time that may already have been served in lieu of payments, is paid. The court shall determine and specify, in the light of defendant's situation and means and of defendant's conduct with regard to the nonpayment of the fine, the period of any imprisonment in default of payment of the fine within the limits of the penalties for a Class C misdemeanor.(b) Whenever a court orders a defendant to pay a fine, imposed as a result of a traffic violation, in installment payments, the court shall revoke the defendant's privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state upon the failure of the defendant to comply with the order of the court. If the defendant's privilege to operate a motor vehicle has been revoked for the failure to comply with the court order, the privilege shall remain so revoked until the total amount of the fine imposed is paid.
All

No definition of ability to pay is provided. However, in imposing fines, courts must consider the defendant's ability to pay, prior criminal history, potential for rehabilitation, financial means, and other

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mitigating and enhancing factors.

At enforcement of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge after hearing No

A reduction of a fine or any other alternative mechanism available to the court