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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Louisiana LA Rev Stat § 15:175 Proceedings to determine indigency
A.(1)(a) A preliminary inquiry and determination of indigency of any accused person shall be made by the court not later than arraignment and such determination may be reviewed by the
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court at any other stage of the proceedings. (b) A person will be deemed "indigent" who is unable, without substantial financial hardship to himself or to his dependents, to obtain competent, qualified legal representation on his own. "Substantial financial hardship" is presumptively determined to include all defendants who receive public assistance, such as Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid, Disability Insurance, resides in public housing, or earns less than two hundred percent of the Federal Poverty Guideline. A defendant is presumed to have a substantial financial hardship if he or she is currently serving a sentence in a correctional institution or is housed in a mental health facility. (c) Defendants not falling below the presumptive threshold will be subjected to a more rigorous screening process to determine if their particular circumstances, including seriousness of the charges being faced, monthly expenses, local private counsel rates, would result in a "substantial hardship" were they to seek to retain private counsel. (d) If the court makes the preliminary determination that the accused is or may be indigent, the court shall require the accused to make application to the district public defender office or an attorney appointed or under contract to provide indigent defender services, who shall inquire further into the accused's economic status and, upon determining that the accused is indigent, shall file a certification thereof, in such form as the court may require and without paying costs in advance, in the record of the proceeding or enroll as counsel. (e) The accused shall be responsible for applying for indigent defense counsel and for establishing his indigency and entitlement to appointment of counsel. Any oral or written statements made by the accused in or for use in the criminal proceeding and material to the issue of his indigency shall be made under oath or an equivalent affirmation. (f) An accused person or, if applicable, a parent or legal guardian of an accused minor or an accused adult person who is claimed as a dependent on the federal income tax submission of his parent or legal guardian, who makes application to the district office certifying that he is financially unable to employ counsel and requesting representation by indigent defense counsel or conflict counsel, shall pay a nonrefundable application fee of forty dollars to the district office or its designee, which fee shall be in addition to all other fees or costs lawfully imposed. If the board or other appropriate official determines that the person does not have the financial resources to pay the application fee based upon the financial information submitted, the fee may be waived or reduced. An accused who is found to be indigent may not be refused counsel for failure to pay the application fee. (g) The proceeds shall be deposited to the judicial district indigent defender fund in the judicial district in which the application was made. (h) The funds collected pursuant to this Section and all interest or other income earned from the investment of such funds shall be used and administered by each district public defender. (i) The district public defender shall maintain a record of all persons applying for representation and the disposition of the application and shall provide this information to the board on a monthly basis as well as reporting the amount of funds collected or waived. (2) The district public defender or his assistants or an attorney providing indigent defender services pursuant to a contract with the board shall be allowed to summon witnesses to testify before the court concerning the financial ability of any accused person to employ counsel for his defense. (3) Failure of the judge to comply with provisions of this Section shall result in deduction of reasonable criminal defense costs from the Judicial Expense Fund. B.(1) In determining whether or not a person is indigent and entitled to the appointment of counsel, the court shall consider whether the person is a needy person and the extent of his ability to pay. The court may consider such factors as income or funds from employment or any other source, including public assistance, to which the accused is entitled, property owned by the accused or in which he has an economic interest, outstanding obligations, the number and ages of dependents, employment and job training history, and level of education. (2) Release on bail alone shall not disqualify a person for appointment of counsel. In each case, the person subject to the penalty of perjury shall certify in writing such material factors relating to his ability to pay as the court prescribes. C. Nothing in this Chapter shall prevent a criminal defendant from obtaining representation through the board at no charge.
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A person will be deemed "indigent" who is unable, without substantial financial hardship to himself or to his dependents, to obtain competent, qualified legal representation on his own. "Substantial financial

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hardship" is presumptively determined to include all defendants who receive public assistance, such as Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid, Disability Insurance, resides in public housing, or earns less than two hundred percent of the Federal Poverty Guideline. A defendant is presumed to have a substantial financial hardship if he or she is currently serving a sentence in a correctional institution or is housed in a mental health facility.

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

Indigent defendant is assigned a public defender after paying $40

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Louisiana LA RS §176 Partial reimbursement by indigents
A. To the extent that a person is financially able to provide for an attorney, other necessary services, and facilities of representation and court costs, the court shall order him
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to pay for these items. The court may order payment in installments, or in any manner which it believes reasonable and compatible with the defendant's financial ability. B.(1) Payments so made shall be transmitted to and become a part of the indigent defender fund of the district in which the person is prosecuted. (2) The district public defender, or service region, where applicable, shall have the authority to recoup funds expended under this Section through the refund offset provisions pursuant to R.S. 47:299.1 through 299.20. C.(1) When an accused is initially determined to be indigent and appointed counsel but subsequently hires private counsel, the court shall conduct a contradictory hearing to determine the expenses of representing the accused incurred by the district office or the service region, where applicable. Upon determining the expenses incurred, the accused shall, within the discretion of the court, be liable to reimburse the district office or service region, where applicable, those expenses, upon a determination that the accused was in fact not initially indigent. A judgment for the amount owed may be recorded in the mortgage records in favor of the board for the payment of money against the accused and may be enforced as provided by law. (2) All funds received by the district office shall be deposited into the judicial district indigent defender fund as provided for in R.S. 15:168. (3) Failure of the accused to disclose the full amount involved in the hiring shall constitute grounds for contempt of court.
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When an accused is initially determined to be indigent and appointed counsel but subsequently hires private counsel, the court shall conduct a contradictory hearing to determine the expenses of representing

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the accused incurred by the district office or the service region, where applicable.

Not provided for Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Not provided for No Not provided for
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Louisiana CCRP 890.2 A Fines for individual defendants
When a defendant has been convicted of a felony, and upon a determination that a defendant has the ability and resources available to pay an additional fine and that such
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a fine would not unduly burden the defendant's dependents, the court may impose as an additional fine . . .
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if the fine would not 'unduly burden the defendant's dependents'

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No Not provided for
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Louisiana CCRP 895.1 A(1) Probation; restitution; judgment for restitution; fees ..The restitution payment shall be made, in discretion of the court, either in a lump sum or in monthly installments based on the earning capacity and assets of the defendant All

based on the earning capacity and assets of the defendant'

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

Payment plan

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Louisiana CCRP 887.C Defendant's liability for costs; suspension of costs; no advance costs
...In the event the person is unable to pay the fine when assessed, the court may allow payment within certain time limits, based on the person's ability to pay such
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costs.
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based on the person's ability to pay such costs'

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

deferred payment

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Louisiana CCRP 903.3(B) Substance abuse treatment program; cost
If the defendant does not have the financial resources to pay all the related costs of the probation program, the court may do either of the following:(1) To the
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extent practicable, arrange for the defendant to be assigned to a treatment program funded by the state or federal government. (2) With the recommendation of the treatment program, order the defendant to perform supervised work for the benefit of the community in lieu of paying all or a part of the costs related to his treatment and supervision. The work shall be performed for and under the supervising authority of a parish, municipality, or other political subdivision or agency of the state or a charitable organization that renders service to the community or its residents.
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If the defendant does not have the financial resources to pay all the related costs of the probation program'

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

Defendant assigned to treatment program funded by the government Or supervised work program

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Louisiana LA Rev Stat §13:1000.13.D Twenty-Seventh Judicial District Court; additional warrant recall fees
In the event that an individual is unable to pay the cost when assessed, the court may allow payment to be deferred within a certain time frame, based on the
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person's ability to pay the costs.
All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

deferred payment

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Louisiana CCRP 883.2.D Restitution to victim
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, if the defendant is found to be indigent and therefore unable to make restitution in full at the time of conviction,
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the court may order a periodic payment plan consistent with the person's financial ability.
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Indigency

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

Payment plan

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Louisiana LA Rev Stat § 15:708 Labor by prisoners permitted; workday release program; indemnificaiton
D.(1)(a) Whenever a person is convicted of a misdemeanor for violation of any state law or any parish or municipal ordinance and is sentenced to imprisonment, the sentencing court may
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order the person so sentenced to report, during the term of imprisonment, to the sheriff to participate in a court-approved workday release program as established and administered by the sheriff. (b) The person so sentenced shall pay the sum of fifty dollars to the sheriff to defray the cost of participation in the program. The payment of the costs shall be based upon the defendant's ability to pay.
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Louisiana CCRP 914.1 Designation of record; payment of costs; sanction
(2) Except in indigent cases, the costs for preparing the transcript must be paid to the court reporter or the appropriate agency and the costs as required for filing
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the appeal must be paid in the appellate court, both within twenty days of the mailing of notice, including the payment of any additional costs owed upon notice.
All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Yes Not provided for
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Hawaii Haw. Rev. Stat. § 706-640(2) Disposition of Criminal defendants: Authorized fines

The mandatory fines imposed by this subsection shall not be reduced except and only to the extent that payment of the fine prevents the defendant from making restitution to the

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victim of the offense, or that the defendant's property, real or otherwise, has been forfeited under chapter 712A as a result of the same conviction for which the defendant is being fined under this subsection.

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Not provided for

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Yes

Fine reduced.

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Hawaii Haw. Rev. Stat. § 706-648 Probation services fee

(1) The court, when sentencing a defendant to probation or granting deferral of a plea under section 853-1, shall order the defendant to pay a probation services fee. The amount

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of the fee shall be as follows:(a) $150, when the term of probation or period of deferral is for more than one year; or (b) $75, when the term of probation or period of deferral is for one year or less; provided that no fee shall be ordered when the court determines that the defendant is unable to pay the fee.

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Not provided for

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

Fee not ordered.

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Hawaii Haw. Rev. Stat. § 706-646(3) Victim restitution

(3) In ordering restitution, the court shall not consider the defendant's financial ability to make restitution in determining the amount of restitution to order. The court, however, shall consider the

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defendant's financial ability to make restitution for the purpose of establishing the time and manner of payment. The court shall specify the time and manner in which restitution is to be paid. Restitution shall be a dollar amount that is sufficient to reimburse any victim fully for losses, including but not limited to:(a) Full value of stolen or damaged property, as determined by replacement costs of like property, or the actual or estimated cost of repair, if repair is possible; (b) Medical expenses; and (c) Funeral and burial expenses incurred as a result of the crime.

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Not provided for

At enforcement of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing No

Time and manner of payment may be ordered considering an individual's ability to pay.

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Hawaii Haw. Rev. Stat. § 846F-3 Internet crimes against children fee

(a) The court shall order every defendant to pay an internet crimes against children fee of up to $100 for each felony or misdemeanor conviction; provided that no fee shall

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be ordered when the court determines that the defendant is unable to pay the fee.

(b) When a defendant is also ordered to pay a fine, make restitution, pay a crime victim compensation fee, or pay other fees in addition to the internet crimes against children fee, payments by the defendant shall be made in the order of priority established under section 706-651.

(c) The defendant shall pay the internet crimes against children fee to the clerk of the court. The fee shall be deposited with the director of finance who shall transmit the fee to the internet crimes against children special fund pursuant to section 846F-4.

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Not provided for

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Yes

Fee not ordered.

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Hawaii Haw. Rev. Stat. § 706-641 Criteria for imposing fines

(1) The court shall not sentence a defendant only to pay a fine, when any other disposition is authorized by law, except in misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor cases.

(2) The court

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shall not sentence a defendant to pay a fine in addition to a sentence of imprisonment or probation unless: (a) The defendant has derived a pecuniary gain from the crime; or (b) The court is of the opinion that a fine is specially adapted to the deterrence of the crime involved or to the correction of the defendant.

(3) The court shall not sentence a defendant to pay a fine unless: (a) The defendant is or will be able to pay the fine; and (b) The fine will not prevent the defendant from making restitution to the victim of the offense.

(4) 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.

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The financial resources of the defendant and the nature of the burden that its payment will impose.

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

Court shall sentence defendant to pay a fine.

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Hawaii Haw. Rev. Stat. § 607-3 Court costs, waiver of prepayment, reduction or remission of

The judges of all the courts of the State shall have discretionary power to waive the prepayment of costs or to reduce or remit costs where, in special or extraordinary

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cases, the cost of any suit, action, or proceeding may, to the judges, appear onerous.

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Cost appears onerous.

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

Waive prepayment of costs.

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Hawaii Haw. Rev. Stat. § 802-7 Litigation expenses

The court may, upon a satisfactory showing that a criminal defendant is unable to pay for transcripts or witness fees and transportation, or for investigatory, expert or other services, and

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upon a finding that the same are necessary for an adequate defense, direct that such expenses be paid from available court funds or waived, as the case may be; provided that where the defendant is represented by the state public defender or by other counsel appointed by the court except for such other counsel appointed by the court for reasons of conflict of interest on the part of the public defender, the public defender shall pay for or authorize payment for the same, if the public defender determines that the defendant is unable to pay for the same and that the same are necessary for an adequate defense, and if there is a dispute as to the financial ability of the defendant such dispute shall be resolved by the court. In cases where other counsel have been appointed by the court for reasons of conflict of interest, the court may, upon the requisite showing of inability to pay and a finding that such expenses are necessary for an adequate defense as set forth above, direct that such expenses be paid from available court funds or waived, as the case may be.

All Not provided for Before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge after hearing No

Fees paid from court funds or waived.

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Hawaii Haw. Rev. Stat. § 706-605(7) Authorized disposition of convicted defendants

(7) The court shall order the defendant to make restitution for losses as provided in section 706-646. In ordering restitution, the court shall not consider the defendant's financial ability to

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make restitution in determining the amount of restitution to order. The court, however, shall consider the defendant's financial ability to make restitution for the purpose of establishing the time and manner of payment.

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Not provided for.

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

Time and manner of payment ordered in consideration of ability to pay.

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Hawaii Haw. Rev. Stat. § 706-605(6) Authorized disposition of convicted defendants

(6) The court shall impose a compensation fee upon every person convicted of a criminal offense pursuant to section 351-62.6; provided that the court shall waive the imposition of a

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compensation fee if it finds that the defendant is unable to pay the compensation fee. When a defendant is ordered to make payments in addition to the compensation fee, payments by the defendant shall be made in the order of priority established in section 706-651.

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Not provided for

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

Fee waiver.

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Hawaii Haw. Rev. Stat. § 706-650(5) Drug demand reduction assessments; special fund

(5) If the court determines that the person has the ability to pay the monetary assessment and is eligible for probation or will not be sentenced to incarceration, unless otherwise required

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by law, the court may order the person to undergo a substance abuse treatment program at the person’s expense. If the person undergoes a substance abuse treatment program at the person’s expense, the court may waive or reduce the amount of the monetary assessment. Upon a showing by the person that the person lacks the financial ability to pay all or part of the monetary assessment, the court may waive or reduce the amount of the monetary assessment.

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Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge without hearing No

Waive or reduce amount of fee.