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28 Results
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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Rhode Island | R.I. Gen. Laws. Ann. § 12-20-10(b) | Remission of costs -- Prohibition against remitting restitution to victims of crime -- Ability to pay -- Indigency |
(b) For purposes of §§ 12-18.1-3(d), 12-21-20, 12-25-28(b), 21-28-4.01(c)(3)(iv) and 21-28-4.17.1, the following conditions shall be prima facie evidence of the defendant's indigency and limited ability to pay: (1) Qualification for and/or receipt of any of the following benefits or services by the defendant: (i) temporary assistance to needy families (ii) social security including supplemental security income and state supplemental payments program; (iii) public assistance (iv) disability insurance; or (v) food stamps
(2) Despite the defendant's good faith efforts to pay, outstanding court orders for payment in the amount of one-hundred dollars ($ 100) or more for any of the following: (i) restitution payments to the victims of crime; (ii) child support payments; or (iii) payments for any counseling required as a condition of the sentence imposed including, but not limited to, substance abuse, mental health, and domestic violence. |
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Indigency; Qualification for and/or receipt of temporary assistance to needy families, social security including supplemental security income and state supplemental payments program, public assistance, disability insurance; or food stamps; outstanding court orders for payment in the amount of one-hundred dollars ($ 100) or more for restitution payments to the victims of crime, child support payments; or payments for any counseling required as a condition of the sentence imposed including, but not limited to, substance abuse, mental health, and domestic violence.
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Not provided for | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
N/A |
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Rhode Island | R.I. Gen. Laws. Ann. § 12-21-20 | Order to pay costs and determination of ability to pay |
(a) If, upon any complaint or prosecution before any court, the defendant shall be ordered to pay a fine, enter into a recognizance or suffer any penalty or forfeiture, he or she shall also be ordered to pay all costs of prosecution, unless directed otherwise by law.
(b) In superior court, the judge shall make a preliminary assessment of the defendant's ability to pay immediately after sentencing by use of the procedures specified in this section. (c) In district court, the judge shall make a preliminary assessment of the defendant's ability to pay immediately after sentencing or nearly thereafter as practicable by use of the procedures specified in this section. (d) The defendant's ability to pay and payment schedule shall be determined by use of standardized procedures including a financial assessment instrument. The financial assessment instrument shall be: (1) based upon sound and generally accepted accounting principles; (2) completed based on a personal interview of the defendant and includes any and all relevant information relating to the defendant's present ability to pay including, but not limited to, the information contained in § 12-20-10; and (3) made by the defendant under oath. (e) The financial instrument may, from time to time and after hearing, be modified by the court. (f) When persons come before the court for failure to pay fines, fees, assessments and other costs of prosecution, or court ordered restitution, and their ability to pay and payment schedule has not been previously determined, the judge, the clerk of the court, or their designee shall make these determinations by use of the procedures specified in this section. (g) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the court's ability, after hearing in open court, to revise findings about a person's ability to pay and payment schedule made by the clerk of the court or designee, based upon the receipt of newly available, relevant, or other information. |
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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Rhode Island | R.I. Gen. Laws. Ann. § 12-19-32 | Restitution |
In addition to or in lieu of any non-mandatory sanction imposed as part of a sentence or as a condition of probation, a judge at the time of sentencing may order restitution which may be in the form of monetary payment or some type of community restitution. Provided, that any person sentenced to a period of incarceration at the adult correctional institutions shall be ineligible to participate in those programs established pursuant to chapter 8 of title 13, sections 42-56-20.2, 42-56-20.3 or 42-56-21, unless and until the restitution has been paid in full, or satisfactory arrangements have been made with the court if the person has the ability to pay.
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All |
Not provided for |
Not provided for | Not provided for | Not provided for | No |
Able to participate in programs without satisfying restitution payments. |
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Virginia | Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-355 | Petition of defendant |
(a) In determining whether the defendant is unable to pay such fine forthwith, the court may require such defendant to file a petition, under oath, with the court, upon a + See moreform provided by the court, setting forth the financial condition of the defendant.
(b) Such form shall be a questionnaire, and shall include, but shall not be limited to: the name and residence of the defendant; his occupation, if any; his family status and the number of persons dependent upon him; his monthly income; whether or not his dependents are employed and, if so, their approximate monthly income; his banking accounts, if any; real estate owned by the defendant, or any interest he may have in real estate; income produced therefrom; any independent income accruing to the defendant; tangible and intangible personal property owned by the defendant, or in which he may have an interest; and a statement listing the approximate indebtedness of the defendant to other persons. Such form shall also include a payment plan of the defendant, if the court should exercise its discretion in permitting the payment of such fine and costs in installments or other conditions to be fixed by the court.
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All | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | No |
permitting the payment of such fine and costs in installments or other conditions to be fixed by the court |
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Virginia | Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-358(C) | Show cause hearing on default |
B. Following the order to show cause or following a capias issued for a defendant's failure to comply with a court order to appear issued pursuant to subsection A of + See more§ 19.2-354, unless the defendant shows that his default was not attributable to an intentional refusal to obey the sentence of the court, or not attributable to a failure on his part to make a good faith effort to obtain the necessary funds for payment, or unless the defendant shows that any failure to appear was not attributable to an intentional refusal to obey the order of the court, the court may order the defendant confined as for a contempt for a term not to exceed sixty days or impose a fine not to exceed $500. The court may provide in its order that payment or satisfaction of the amounts in default at any time will entitle the defendant to his release from such confinement or, after entering the order, may at any time reduce the sentence for good cause shown, including payment or satisfaction of such amounts.
C. If it appears that the default is excusable under the standards set forth in subsection B hereof, the court may enter an order allowing the defendant additional time for payment, reducing the amount due or of each installment, or remitting the unpaid portion in whole or in part.
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All | Not provided for | At enforcement of fine or fee | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Determined by judge after hearing | No |
additional time for payment, reducing the amount due or of each installment, or remitting the unpaid portion in whole or in part |
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Virginia | Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-363 | Authority of Governor to grant relief from fines and penalties in case of deceased defendant |
provided, that when the party against whom the fine or penalty has been imposed and judgment rendered therefor has departed this life leaving a spouse or children surviving, the Governor + See moremay remit such fine or penalty upon the certificate of the judge of the circuit court of the county or city wherein such fine or penalty was imposed and judgment rendered, that to enforce the same against the estate, real or personal, of the decedent, would impose hardship upon the spouse or children
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All |
would impose hardship upon the spouse or children |
At defendant's request at enforcement | Not provided for | Determined by judge after hearing | No |
remittance |
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Virginia | Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-299.2(C) | Local alcohol safety action program - ability to pay |
If the referral is to the local alcohol safety action program, the program may charge a fee for the education and intervention component, or both, not to exceed $300, based + See moreupon the defendant's ability to pay.
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All | Not provided for | Not provided for | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
Not specified |
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Virginia | Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-150.1 | Substance abuse treatment as condition of parole - exemptions |
Any person who is granted parole and who is required to receive substance abuse treatment as a condition of parole shall contribute towards the cost of such treatment based upon + See morehis ability to pay, as established pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Board of Corrections. The regulations shall provide that (i) any fees collected for such treatment shall be paid directly to the service provider and (ii) any person may be exempt from the payment of such fees on the grounds of unreasonable hardship.
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All |
unreasonable hardship |
Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Administrative decision | Yes |
exemption from payment of fees |
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Virginia | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-57.3(D) | Education/treatment program sliding scale fee structure |
The court shall require the person entering such education or treatment program or services under the provisions of this section to pay all or part of the costs of the + See moreprogram or services, including the costs of any assessment, evaluation, testing, education and treatment, based upon the person's ability to pay. Such programs or services shall offer a sliding-scale fee structure or other mechanism to assist participants who are unable to pay the full costs of the required programs or services.
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All | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
sliding scale fee structure |
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Virginia | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-251 | Program costs - ability to pay |
The court shall require the person entering such program under the provisions of this section to pay all or part of the costs of the program, including the costs of + See morethe screening, assessment, testing, and treatment, based upon the accused's ability to pay unless the person is determined by the court to be indigent.
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All |
Indigence |
Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Other | Yes |
exemption from payment of fees |
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Virginia | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-251.01(A) | Education fee - based upon ability to pay |
The services agency or program may require the person entering such program or services under the provisions of this section to pay a fee for the education and treatment component, + See moreor both, based upon the defendant's ability to pay.
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Felony | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
Not specified |
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Virginia | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-258.1(H) | Program costs - indigency |
The court shall require the person entering such program under the provisions of this section to pay all or part of the costs of the program, including the costs of + See morethe screening, evaluation, testing and education, based upon the person's ability to pay unless the person is determined by the court to be indigent.
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All |
Indigence |
Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Other | Yes |
exemption from payment of fees |
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Virginia | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-271.1(B) | Waiver of fee - indigency | Upon a positive finding that the defendant is indigent, the court may reduce or waive the fee. | All |
Indigence |
Not provided for | Not provided for | Not provided for | No |
waiver of fee |
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Washington | Wash. Rev. Code Ann 69.50.430 | Additional fine for certain felony violations |
(1) Every adult offender convicted of a felony violation of RCW 69.50.401 through 69.50.4013, 69.50.4015, 69.50.402, 69.50.403, 69.50.406, 69.50.407, 69.50.410, or 69.50.415 must be fined one thousand dollars in addition to any other fine or penalty imposed. Unless the court finds the adult offender to be indigent, this additional fine may not be suspended or deferred by the court.
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All |
Indigent |
Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Determined by judge without hearing | No |
Suspended or defer additional fine |
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Washington | Wash. Rev. Code Ann 10.73.160(4) | Court fees and costs |
A defendant who has been sentenced to pay costs and who is not in contumacious default in the payment may at any time after release from total confinement petition the court that sentenced the defendant or juvenile offender for remission of the payment of costs or of any unpaid portion. If it appears to the satisfaction of the sentencing court that payment of the amount due will impose manifest hardship on the defendant or the defendant’s immediate family, the sentencing court may remit all or part of the amount due in costs, modify the method of payment under RCW 10.01.170, or convert the unpaid costs to community restitution hours, if the jurisdiction operates a community restitution program, at the rate of no less than the state minimum wage established in RCW 49.46.020 for each hour of community restitution. Manifest hardship exists where the defendant or juvenile offender is indigent as defined in RCW 10.101.010(3) (a) through (c).
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All |
Manifest hardship on the defendant or defendant's immediate family; indigent. |
At defendant's request at enforcement | Not provided for | Not provided for | No |
Court may remit all or part of the amount due in costs, modify the method of payment, or convert the unpaid costs to community restitution hours. |
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Washington | Wash. Rev. Code Ann 10.01.160(3)-(4) | Costs — What constitutes — Payment by defendant — Procedure — Remission — Medical or mental health treatment or services |
(3) The court shall not order a defendant to pay costs if the defendant at the time of sentencing is indigent as defined in RCW 10.101.010(3) (a) through (c). In determining the amount and method of payment of costs for defendants who are not indigent as defined in RCW 10.101.010(3) (a) through (c), the court shall take account of the financial resources of the defendant and the nature of the burden that payment of costs will impose.
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All |
able to pay - based upon hardship |
At defendant's request at enforcement | Not provided for | Not provided for | No |
Court may remit all or part of the amount due in costs, modify the method of payment, or convert the unpaid costs to community restitution hours. |
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Washington | Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 10.101.020 | Determination of indigency — Provisional appointment — Promissory note |
(1) A determination of indigency shall be made for all persons wishing the appointment of counsel in criminal, juvenile, involuntary commitment, and dependency cases, and any other case where the right to counsel attaches. The court or its designee shall determine whether the person is indigent pursuant to the standards set forth in this chapter.
(2) In making the determination of indigency, the court shall also consider the anticipated length and complexity of the proceedings and the usual and customary charges of an attorney in the community for rendering services, and any other circumstances presented to the court which are relevant to the issue of indigency. The appointment of counsel shall not be denied to the person because the person’s friends or relatives, other than a spouse who was not the victim of any offense or offenses allegedly committed by the person, have resources adequate to retain counsel, or because the person has posted or is capable of posting bond. (3) The determination of indigency shall be made upon the defendant’s initial contact with the court or at the earliest time circumstances permit. The court or its designee shall keep a written record of the determination of indigency. Any information given by the accused under this section or sections shall be confidential and shall not be available for use by the prosecution in the pending case. (4) If a determination of eligibility cannot be made before the time when the first services are to be rendered, the court shall appoint an attorney on a provisional basis. If the court subsequently determines that the person receiving the services is ineligible, the court shall notify the person of the termination of services, subject to court-ordered reinstatement. (5) All persons determined to be indigent and able to contribute, shall be required to execute a promissory note at the time counsel is appointed. The person shall be informed whether payment shall be made in the form of a lump sum payment or periodic payments. The payment and payment schedule must be set forth in writing. The person receiving the appointment of counsel shall also sign an affidavit swearing under penalty of perjury that all income and assets reported are complete and accurate. In addition, the person must swear in the affidavit to immediately report any change in financial status to the court. (6) The office or individual charged by the court to make the determination of indigency shall provide a written report and opinion as to indigency on a form prescribed by the office of public defense, based on information obtained from the defendant and subject to verification. The form shall include information necessary to provide a basis for making a determination with respect to indigency as provided by this chapter. |
All |
Indigent - court shall also consider the anticipated length and complexity of the proceedings and the usual and customary charges of an attorney in the community for rendering services, and any other circumstances presented to the court which are relevant to the issue of indigency.
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Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
N/A |
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Washington | Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 9.94A.750 | Restitution |
(1) If restitution is ordered, the court shall determine the amount of restitution due at the sentencing hearing or within one hundred eighty days. The court may continue the hearing beyond the one hundred eighty days for good cause. The court shall then set a minimum monthly payment that the offender is required to make towards the restitution that is ordered. The court shall not issue any order that postpones the commencement of restitution payments until after the offender is released from total confinement. The court should take into consideration the total amount of the restitution owed, the offender’s present, past, and future ability to pay, as well as any assets that the offender may have. An offender’s inability to make restitution payments while in total confinement may not be the basis for a violation of his or her sentence unless his or her inability to make payments resulted from a refusal to accept an employment offer to a class I or class II job or a termination for cause from such a job.
(2) During the period of supervision, the community corrections officer may examine the offender to determine if there has been a change in circumstances that warrants an amendment of the monthly payment schedule. The community corrections officer may recommend a change to the schedule of payment and shall inform the court of the recommended change and the reasons for the change. The sentencing court may then reset the monthly minimum payments based on the report from the community corrections officer of the change in circumstances. |
All |
Consideration the total amount of the restitution owed, the offender’s present, past, and future ability to pay, as well as any assets that the offender may have; change in circumstances. |
Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | No |
Change to the schedule of payment, reset the monthly minimum payments based on the report from the community corrections officer of the change in circumstances. |
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Washington | Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 9.94A.777(1) | Legal financial obligations — Defendants with mental health conditions |
Before imposing any legal financial obligations upon a defendant who suffers from a mental health condition, other than restitution or the victim penalty assessment under RCW 7.68.035, a judge must first determine that the defendant, under the terms of this section, has the means to pay such additional sums.
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All |
means to pay - for defendants who suffer from mental conditions ONLY. |
Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes | Not provided for |
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Washington | Wash. Rev. Code Ann 9.94A.780(1) | Offender supervision intake fees |
The department may exempt or defer a person from the payment of all or any part of the intake fee based upon any of the following factors:(a) The offender has diligently attempted but has been unable to obtain employment that provides the offender sufficient income to make such a payment. (b) The offender is a student in a school, college, university, or a course of vocational or technical training designed to fit the student for gainful employment. (c) The offender has an employment handicap, as determined by an examination acceptable to or ordered by the department. (d) The offender's age prevents him or her from obtaining employment. (e) The offender is responsible for the support of dependents and the payment of the intake fee constitutes an undue hardship on the offender. (f) Other extenuating circumstances as determined by the department.
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All |
Multifactor test: income insufficient for payment, status as student, employment handicap, age, dependents, and other extenuating circumstances |
Not provided for | Not provided for | Administrative decision | No |
Exemption or deferral of payment |
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