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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.
24 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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Arizona | Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-804.01(B)(2) | Reimbursement of Incarceration Costs; Misdemeanors | B. The court may determine the amount of incarceration costs to be paid based on the following factors:2. The person's ability to pay part or all of the incarceration costs. | Misdemeanor | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | No |
A lower cost based upon the defendant's ability to pay. |
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Arizona | Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-914(E)(2) | Intensive probation; evaluation; sentence; criteria; limit; conditions |
Paying restitution and probation fees of not less than seventy-five dollars unless, after determining the inability of the offender to pay the fee, the court assesses a lesser fee. Probation + See morefees shall be deposited in the adult probation services fund established by § 12-267. Any amount assessed pursuant to this paragraph shall be used to supplement monies used for the salaries of adult probation and surveillance officers and for support of programs and services of the superior court adult probation departments.
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All | Not provided for | Not provided for | Not provided for | Not provided for | No |
Lower restitution or fee based upon the defendant's ability to pay. |
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Arizona | Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-810(E) | Consequences of nonpayment of fines, surcharges, fees, assessments, restitution or incarceration costs |
(E)If the court finds that the defendant has wilfully failed to pay a fine, a surcharge, a fee, an assessment, restitution or incarceration costs or finds that the defendant has intentionally refused to make a good faith effort to obtain the monies required for the payment, the court shall find that the default constitutes contempt and may do any of the following:
1. Order the defendant incarcerated in the county jail until the fine, surcharge, fee, assessment, restitution or incarceration costs, or a specified part of the fine, surcharge, fee, assessment, restitution or incarceration costs, is paid. 2. Refer the defendant for revocation of probation, parole or community supervision as authorized by law. 3. Enter an order pursuant to section 13-812. The levy or execution for the collection of a fine, a surcharge, a fee, an assessment, restitution or incarceration costs does not discharge a defendant who is incarcerated for nonpayment of the fine, surcharge, fee, assessment, restitution or incarceration costs until the amount of the fine, surcharge, fee, assessment, restitution or incarceration costs is collected. 4. Order the defendant to perform community restitution. |
All | Not provided for | At enforcement of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | No |
Modified payment arrangements |
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Arizona | Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-824(A) | Community restitution in lieu off monetary obligation |
A. Notwithstanding any other law, if a monetary obligation is imposed on a defendant at sentencing and the court finds the defendant is unable to pay all or part of the monetary obligation, the court may order the defendant to perform community restitution in lieu of the payment for all or part of the monetary obligation. The amount of community restitution shall be equivalent to the amount of the monetary obligation by crediting any service performed at a rate of ten dollars per hour.
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All | Not provided for | At enforcement of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | No |
Community Restitution |
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Arizona | Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 12-116.01(F) | Surcharges; remittance reports; fund deposits |
The judge may waive all or part of the civil penalty, fine, forfeiture and surcharge, except for mandatory civil penalties and fines, the payment of which would work a hardship on the persons convicted or adjudicated or on their immediate families. If a fine or civil penalty is mandatory, the judge may waive only all or part of the surcharges prescribed by subsections A, B and C of this section and § 12-116.02. If a fine or civil penalty is not mandatory and if a portion of the civil penalty, fine, forfeiture and surcharge is waived or suspended, the amount assessed must be divided according to the proportion that the civil penalty, fine, bail or bond and the surcharge represent of the total amount due.
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All | Not provided for | Not provided for | Not provided for | Not provided for | No |
A lower cost fine or fee based upon the defendant's ability to pay. |
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South Dakota | S.D. Codified Laws § 23A-3-28 | Service of motion -- Fee |
When a defendant or arrested person makes a motion under this section, the defendant or arrested person shall pay to the clerk of courts in the county where the motion is filed a fee equal to the filing fee for a civil action. If the defendant or arrested person establishes to the court’s satisfaction that the person is indigent and unable to pay the fee, the court may waive the filing fee.
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All |
Indigent |
Not provided for | Not provided for | Other | No |
Waive filing fee |
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South Dakota | S.D. Codified Laws § 23A-32-16 | Notice of appeal--Service on adverse parties--Perfection of appeal--Fee not required of indigent defendant |
. . . Whenever an appeal is taken by an indigent, assigned counsel pursuant to § 23A-40-6, no filing fee need be paid and no undertaking need be furnished to perfect such appeal.
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All |
Indigent |
Not provided for | Not provided for | Other | Yes |
Waive filing fee |
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South Dakota | S.D. Codified Laws § 24-2-28 | Liability of inmate for cost of confinement — Exception |
Each inmate under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections is liable for the cost of the inmate’s confinement which includes room and board charges; medical, dental, optometric, and psychiatric services charges; vocational education training; and alcoholism treatment charges.
However, if the secretary of corrections determines after considering the net income, net worth, number of dependents, and any existing obligations of the inmate, that the inmate is unable to pay, the secretary may waive all or part of the payment for the costs of the inmate’s confinement. |
All |
Net income, net worth, number of dependents, and any existing obligations of the inmate. |
Not provided for | Not provided for | Other | No |
Waive all or part of costs for confinement |
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South Dakota | S.D. Codified Laws § 24-11-32.1 | Work release inmate — Restitution for prisoner maintenance cost |
The board of county commissioners may require by resolution that a sum not to exceed the average daily prisoner cost may be charged to work release inmates of county jails as restitution to be applied toward prisoner maintenance cost, including but not limited to, room and board. In instances of undue hardship, the commissioners may reduce or waive the charges.
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All |
Undue hardship |
Not provided for | Not provided for | Other | No |
Reduce or waive charges |
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South Dakota | S.D. Codified Laws § 24-11-45 | Prisoner liable for costs of confinement — Waiver |
A prisoner confined to any jail while serving a sentence is liable for the cost of the prisoner’s confinement including room and board charges; medical, dental, optometric, and psychiatric services charges; vocational education training; chemical dependency treatment charges; and transportation costs as set forth in subdivision 7-12-18(4), where transporting the prisoner is required. If, after considering the prisoner’s net income, net worth, number of dependents, and any existing obligations, the judge who sentenced the prisoner to jail determines that the prisoner is unable to pay the full amount at one time, the judge may allow the prisoner to set up a deferred payment plan for payment for the costs of the inmate’s confinement or waive all or part of the payment if the prisoner demonstrates an inability to pay.
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All |
Prisoner's net income, net worth, number of dependents, and any existing obligations |
Not provided for | Not provided for | Other | No |
Waive all or part of costs for confinement |
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South Dakota | S.D. Codified Laws § 16-2-29.2; S.D. Codified Laws § 16-2-29.3 | Waiver of filing fees and service costs--Motion to court; Waiver of filing fees--Affidavit of inability to pay |
29.2: A court may waive the payment of filing fees and service costs accruing by reason of a civil action or proceeding or any criminal proceeding on motion to the court upon the affidavit of the moving party and the entry of an order thereon.
29.3: The affidavit required by § 16-2-29.2 of the moving party shall state the moving party's inability to pay; the nature of the action, proceeding, or appeal; and a short concise statement of facts upon which the moving party believes he is entitled to redress. |
All |
N/A |
Not provided for | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Other | No |
Fee is waived. |
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South Dakota | S.D. Codified Laws § 23A-28-3 | Plan of restitution--Present inability to make restitution--No pecuniary damages suffered--Hearing--Condition of parole |
If the sentencing court orders the defendant to the county jail, suspended imposition of sentence, suspended sentence, or probation, the court may require as a condition that the defendant, in cooperation with the court services officer assigned to the defendant, promptly prepare a plan of restitution, including the name and address of each victim, a specific amount of restitution to each victim, and a schedule of restitution payments. If the defendant is presently unable to make any restitution, but there is a reasonable possibility that the defendant may be able to do so at some time during the defendant's probation period, the plan of restitution shall also state the conditions under which or the event after which the defendant will make restitution. If the defendant believes that no person suffered pecuniary damages as a result of the defendant's criminal activities, the defendant shall so state. If the defendant contests the amount of restitution recommended by the court services officer, the defendant is entitled to a hearing at which the court shall determine the amount. If the sentencing court orders the defendant to the state penitentiary and does not suspend the sentence, the court shall set forth in the judgment the names and specific amount of restitution owed each victim. The Department of Corrections shall establish the collection schedule for court-ordered restitution while the defendant is in the penitentiary and on parole. The Board of Pardons and Paroles shall require, as a condition of parole, that the defendant pay restitution ordered by the court.
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All | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Administrative decision | No |
Payment plan/delay start of payments until later date. |
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South Dakota | S.D. Codified Laws § 16-2-42 | Waiver of surcharge--Conditions |
The surcharge provided for in § 16-2-39 may be waived in the manner provided for in §§ 16-2-29.2 to 16-2-29.4, inclusive. If a fine is suspended in whole or in part, the surcharge provided for in § 16-2-41 may not be reduced. However, the judge may waive all or any part of the payment of the surcharge which would work a hardship on the person convicted or on his immediate family.
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All |
Hardship on the person convicted or on his immediate family |
Not provided for | Not provided for | Other | No |
Fee is waived in amount determined. |
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South Dakota | S.D. Codified Laws § 23A-40-6 | Arrest or detention without formal charge--Assignment of counsel--Certification of indigency required |
In any criminal investigation or in any criminal action or action for revocation of suspended sentence or probation in the circuit or magistrate court or in a final proceeding to revoke a parole, if it is satisfactorily shown that the defendant or detained person does not have sufficient money, credit, or property to employ counsel and pay for the necessary expenses of his representation, the judge of the circuit court or the magistrate shall, upon the request of the defendant, assign, at any time following arrest or commencement of detention without formal charges, counsel for his representation, who shall appear for and defend the accused upon the charge against him, or take other proper legal action to protect the rights of the person detained without formal charge.
In each case, the indigent person, subject to the penalties for perjury, shall certify in writing or by other record such material factors relating to his ability to pay as the court prescribes. |
All |
Does not have sufficient money, credit, or property to employ counsel and pay for the necessary expenses of his representation; indigdent. |
Not provided for | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Not provided for | No |
Assign counsel |
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South Dakota | S.D. Codified Laws § 223A-27-25.5 | Hearing required prior to imprisonment or jailing for failure to pay fine, costs, and restitution--Burden of proof--Computation of time to be served |
No defendant may be imprisoned or jailed for failure to pay a fine, costs, or restitution or have any suspended prison or jail sentence revoked without a prior hearing. At the hearing, the defendant has the burden of proof to establish to the reasonable satisfaction of the magistrate or circuit judge that the defendant did not willfully fail to pay the fine, costs, or restitution or that the defendant did make a bona fide effort to pay the fine, costs, or restitution.
Failure by the defendant to make such a showing is grounds for being imprisoned or jailed. If the sentence provided for payment of fine or costs only, the term of jail or imprisonment may be no longer than the number of days equal to the total amount of the fine or costs imposed divided by sixty. For purposes of making this computation, any fraction of less than one day shall be dropped from the term of imprisonment. In no event may such imprisonment for failure to pay the fine, costs, and restitution together with all other time served or to be served exceed the maximum allowed by statute. If the defendant establishes that nonpayment was not willful or that the defendant did make a bona fide effort to pay, the defendant may not be imprisoned or jailed for nonpayment. The magistrate or circuit judge shall consider other alternatives which take into account the state's interest in punishment and deterrence. The court shall make findings in its decision. |
All |
Did not willfully fail to pay the fine, costs, or restitution or that the defendant did make a bona fide effort to pay the fine, costs, or restitution. |
At enforcement of fine or fee | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Determined by judge after hearing | No |
Cannot be imprisoned for default on payment. |
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Vermont | Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13 § 5238(f) | Co-payment and reimbursement orders |
A person who may be or has been ordered to pay all or part of the cost of representation by co-payment or reimbursement order may at any time petition the court making the order for remission of all of the amount or any part thereof. If it appears to the satisfaction of the court that payment of the amount due will impose manifest hardships on the defendant or the defendant's immediate family or that the circumstances of case disposition and the interests of justice so require, the court may remit all or part of the amount due or modify the method of payment.
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All |
Payment of the amount due will impose manifest hardships on the defendant or the defendant's immediate family or that the circumstances of case disposition and the interests of justice so require.
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At defendant's request before imposition of fine or fee | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Other | No |
Court will remit all or part of the amount due or modify the method of payment. |
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Vermont | Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13 § 7180(c)(3),(4)(C) | Remedies for failure to pay fines, costs, surcharges, and penalties |
(c) Civil contempt proceeding. (3) Hearing. -- The hearing shall be conducted in a summary manner. The court shall examine the defendant and any other witnesses and may require the defendant to produce documents relevant to the defendant's ability to pay the amount due. Evidence is admissible if it is of a type commonly relied upon by a reasonably prudent person in the conduct of his or her affairs. The Vermont Rules of Evidence shall not apply except that the rules related to privilege shall apply. The State shall not be a party except with the permission of the court. The defendant may be represented by counsel at the defendant's own expense.
(4)(C) If the court concludes that the defendant is not in contempt because the defendant does not have the ability to pay the amount due, the court may: (i) suspend all or any part of the amount due in the interests of justice, except that the court may not waive surcharges imposed pursuant to section 7282 of this title; (ii) order the defendant to participate in the Restorative Justice Program conducted by a community reparative board and direct the reparative board to determine an appropriate amount of community service to be performed in lieu of all or part of the amount due. |
All |
Not provided for |
At enforcement of fine or fee | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Determined by judge after hearing | Yes |
Suspend all or any part of the amount due in the interests of justice, except that the court may not waive surcharges imposed pursuant to section 7282 of this title; order the defendant to participate in the Restorative Justice Program conducted by a community reparative board and direct the reparative board to determine an appropriate amount of community service to be performed in lieu of all or part of the amount due.
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Vermont | Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13 § 7180(f) | Community service for traffic offense |
(f) (1) A defendant who is not incarcerated may file a motion to convert all or part of a traffic offense fine to community service. The court may grant the motion if the defendant establishes that he or she has made a good faith effort to pay the fine but is unable to do so. A fine converted to community service pursuant to this subsection shall not be considered a modification of sentence and shall not be subject to the time limits of Vermont Rule of Criminal Procedure 35.
(2) Community service performed pursuant to a motion granted under this subsection shall be: (A) credited against outstanding fines at the then-existing rate of the Vermont minimum wage: (B) monitored by Diversion, a restorative justice panel of a community justice center, or a similar entity approved by the court, that shall report on the defendant's compliance status to the court; (C) performed in the county where the offense occurred. (3) A conversion of a fine to community service under this subsection: (A) shall not apply to surcharges, court costs, or other assessments; (B) shall be in addition to the contempt procedures applicable under this section. |
Traffic |
Made a good faith effort to pay the fine but is unable to do so. |
At defendant's request at enforcement | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Other | No |
Convert to community service |
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Vermont | Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13 § 2022 | Bad checks |
A person who issues or passes a check or similar sight order for the payment of money, knowing that it will not be honored by the drawee, shall be imprisoned for not more than one year or fined not more than $ 1,000.00, or both. The court shall order restitution in the amount of the check or order, together with a service charge not to exceed $ 5.00, if it is established that the defendant has the ability to pay.
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Misdemeanor |
Not provided for |
Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
No restitution or service charge ordered |
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Vermont | Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13 § 7043(d)(2),(e)(1) | Restitution |
(d) In awarding restitution, the Court shall make findings with respect to: . . . (2) The offender's current ability to pay restitution, based on all financial information available to the Court, including information provided by the offender.
(e)(1) An order of restitution shall establish the amount of the material loss incurred by the victim, which shall be the restitution judgment order. In the event the offender is unable to pay the restitution judgment order at the time of sentencing, the court shall establish a restitution payment schedule for the offender based upon the offender's current and reasonably foreseeable ability to pay, subject to modification under subsection (l) of this section. |
All |
Not provided for |
Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Determined by judge after hearing | Yes |
Payment plan |
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