Ability to Pay

Keyword search across all of the laws in the states. Subject-area tabs above allow you to narrow results. Click the advanced search for further refinement.

Every law can be saved to the Reform Builder  

See all ability to pay policy recommendations in CJPP’s Policy Guide

Below are the ability to pay laws that meet your search criteria. Many include a See related provisions prompt which searches our database for laws that may pertain to your result.

26 Results

Export results to Excel

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
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

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 more
form 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.
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

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

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.
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

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

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 more
may 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
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

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

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 more
upon the defendant's ability to pay.
All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Yes

Not specified

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

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 more
his 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.
All

unreasonable hardship

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

exemption from payment of fees

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

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 more
program 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.
All Not provided for Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes

sliding scale fee structure

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

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 more
the screening, assessment, testing, and treatment, based upon the accused's ability to pay unless the person is determined by the court to be indigent.
All

Indigence

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Other Yes

exemption from payment of fees

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

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 more
or both, based upon the defendant's ability to pay.
Felony Not provided for Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes

Not specified

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

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 more
the screening, evaluation, testing and education, based upon the person's ability to pay unless the person is determined by the court to be indigent.
All

Indigence

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Other Yes

exemption from payment of fees

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

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

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

West Virginia W. Va. Code §62-4-17(b) Suspension of licenses for failure to pay fines and costs or failure to appear in court

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section to the contrary, the notice of the failure to pay such costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties shall not be given where the circuit court,

+ See more
upon application of the person upon whom the same were imposed filed prior to the expiration of the period within which the same are required to be paid, enters an order finding that such person is financially unable to pay all or a portion of the same: Provided, That where the circuit court, upon finding that the person is financially unable to pay the full amount thereof, requires the person to pay the remaining portion thereof, the circuit clerk shall notify the Division of Motor Vehicles of such person’s failure to pay the same if the same is not paid within the period of time ordered by such court.

All

Not provided for

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

If payment for a lower amount, suspension of the driver's license is still possible to enforce payment of that lower amount. If no payment is required, no suspension will be ordered.

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

West Virginia W. Va. Code § 61-3-39p(a) Crimes against the property - Fees for participation in the worthless check restitution program.

(a) The prosecuting attorney, his or her designee, or a private entity under contract with the prosecuting attorney may collect a fee not to exceed one hundred dollars from any person

+ See more
participating in the worthless check restitution program: Provided, That the prosecuting attorney shall waive the fee if he or she determines that the person is indigent and unable to pay the fee.

All

Indigent

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Yes

Waiver of the fee

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

West Virginia W. Va. Code § 61-11A-5(a) Restitution; procedure for issuing order

(a) The court, in determining whether to order restitution under this article, and in determining the amount of such restitution, shall consider the amount of the loss sustained by any

+ See more
victim as a result of the offense, the financial resources of the defendant, the financial needs and earning ability of the defendant and the defendant's dependents, and such factors as the court deems appropriate.

All

… shall consider … the financial resources of the defendant, the financial needs and earning ability of the defendant and the defendant's dependents

Before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge without hearing Yes

No restitution or lower amount of restitution

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

West Virginia W. Va. Code § 29-21-16(g)(1)-(4) Determination of maximum income levels; eligibility guidelines; use of form affidavit; inquiry by court; denial of services; repayment; limitation on remedies against affiant

(g) In the circumstances and manner set forth below, circuit judges may order repayment to the state, through the office of the clerk of the circuit court having jurisdiction over the

+ See more
proceedings, of the costs of representation provided under this article:

(1) In every case in which services are provided to an indigent person and an adverse judgment has been rendered against such person, the court may require that person, and in juvenile cases, may require the juvenile’s parents or custodian, to pay as costs the compensation of appointed counsel, the expenses of the defense, and any other fees and costs authorized by statute;

(2) The court shall not order a person to pay costs unless the person is able to pay without undue hardship. In determining the amount and method of repayment of costs, the court shall take account of the financial resources of the person, the person’s ability to pay, and the nature of the burden that payment of costs will impose. The fact that the court initially determines, at the time of a case’s conclusion, that it is not proper to order the repayment of costs does not preclude the court from subsequently ordering repayment if the person’s financial circumstances change;

(3) When a person is ordered to repay costs, the court may order payment to be made immediately or within a specified period of time or in specified installments. If a person is sentenced to a term of imprisonment, an order for repayment of costs is not enforceable during the period of imprisonment unless the court expressly finds, at the time of sentencing, that the person has sufficient assets to pay the amounts ordered to be paid or finds there is a reasonable likelihood the person will acquire the necessary assets in the foreseeable future;

(4) A person who has been ordered to repay costs, and who is not in contumacious default in the payment thereof, may at any time petition the sentencing court for modification of the repayment order. If it appears to the satisfaction of the court that continued payment of the amount ordered will impose undue hardship on the person or the person’s dependents, the court may modify the method or amount of payment;

All

(2) The court shall not order a person to pay costs unless the person is able to pay without undue hardship. In determining the amount and method of repayment of

+ See more
costs, the court shall take account of the financial resources of the person, the person's ability to pay and the nature of the burden that payment of costs will impose. The fact that the court initially determines, at the time of a case's conclusion, that it is not proper to order the repayment of costs does not preclude the court from subsequently ordering repayment should the person's financial circumstances change.

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

Court shall not order a person to pay costs; court may order payment to be made immediately or within a specified period of time or in specified installments; 

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

West Virginia W. Va. Code § 17C-5A-3(e) Safety and Treatment Program; reissuance of license

(e) (1) The program provider shall collect the established fee from each participant upon enrollment unless the division has determined that the participant is an indigent based upon criteria established pursuant to

+ See more
legislative rule authorized in this section. (2) If the division determined that a participant is an indigent based upon criteria established pursuant to the legislative rule authorized by this section, the department shall provide the applicant with proof of its determination regarding indigency, which proof the applicant shall present to the interlock provider as part of the application process provided in §17C-5A-3a of this code and/or the rules promulgated pursuant thereto.

All

Indigent - … shall consider … the financial resources of the defendant, the financial needs and earning ability of the defendant and the defendant's dependents

Before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Administrative decision No

Fee waiver

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

West Virginia W. Va. Code § 62-5-10(a) Mandatory cost assessed upon conviction of a felony

Every circuit court shall assess, in every felony criminal matter as a cost to the defendant, an assessment in the sum of seventy-five dollars for each felony count of conviction.

+ See more
The assessment referred to herein shall be paid upon adjudication of guilt unless the court determines that the defendant is unable to pay in such a manner in which case payment of the assessment shall be paid prior to final disposition. If the circuit court determines that a defendant is financially unable to pay the assessment prior to final disposition, payment of the assessment shall be a mandatory condition of probation or parole.

Felony

Not provided for

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

No payment prior to final disposition, however, payment shall be a mandatory condition of parole or probation.

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

West Virginia W. Va. Code § 62-11A-1a Other sentencing alternatives

(e) A person sentenced under the provisions of this section may be required to pay the costs of his or her incarceration, including meal costs: Provided, That the judge or

+ See more
magistrate considers the person's ability to pay the costs.

All

Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing Yes

May not be required to pay the costs of his or her incarceration, including meal costs.

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

West Virginia W. Va. Code § 62-11B-5(7) Requirements for order for home incarceration

(7) A requirement that the offender pay a home incarceration fee set by the circuit court or magistrate. If a magistrate orders home incarceration for an offender, the magistrate shall follow

+ See more
a fee schedule established by the supervising circuit judge in setting the home incarceration fee. The magistrate or circuit judge shall consider the person’s ability to pay in determining the imposition and amount of the fee.

All

Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing Yes

No fee or a lower fee

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

West Virginia W. Va. Code § 62-11C-7(a) Supervision or participation fee

A circuit judge, magistrate, municipal court judge or community criminal justice board may require the payment of a supervision or participation fee from any person required to be supervised by

+ See more
or participate in a community corrections program. The circuit judge, magistrate, municipal court judge or community criminal justice board shall consider the person's ability to pay in determining the imposition and amount of the fee.

All

Not provided for

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

No fee or lower fee

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

West Virginia W. Va. Code § 62-11C-4(b)-(c) Special revenue account

(b) In addition to the fee required in section nine [§ 62-12-9], article twelve of this chapter, a fee not to exceed $35 per month, unless modified by legislative rule as

+ See more
provided in section three [§ 62-11C-3] of this article, is also to be collected from those persons on probation. This fee is to be based upon the person’s ability to pay. The magistrate or circuit judge shall conduct a hearing prior to imposition of probation and make a determination on the record that the offender is able to pay the fee without undue hardship. The magistrate clerk, deputy magistrate clerk, magistrate assistant, circuit clerk or deputy circuit clerk shall collect all fees imposed pursuant to this subsection and deposit them in a separate account. Within ten calendar days following the beginning of the calendar month, the magistrate clerk or circuit clerk shall forward the amount deposited to the State Treasurer to be credited to the West Virginia Community Corrections Fund.

(c) In addition to the fee required in section five, article eleven-b of this chapter, a fee of $2.50 per day, unless modified by legislative rule as provided in section three of this article, is to be collected from those persons on home incarceration. The circuit judge, magistrate or municipal court judge shall consider the person's ability to pay in determining the imposition of the fee. The circuit clerk, magistrate clerk, municipal court clerk or his or her designee shall collect all fees imposed pursuant to this subsection and deposit them in a separate account. Within ten calendar days following the beginning of the calendar month, the circuit clerk, magistrate clerk or municipal court clerk shall forward the amount deposited to the State Treasurer to be credited to the West Virginia Community Corrections Fund.

All

Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing Yes

No fee or lower fee