50-State Criminal Justice Debt Reform Builder Bringing transparency to areas of significant legal complexity.
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
State
- Alabama (12)
- Alaska (8)
- Arizona (5)
- (-) Arkansas (8)
- California (90)
- Colorado (29)
- Connecticut (19)
- Delaware (4)
- Florida (36)
- Georgia (14)
- Hawaii (14)
- Idaho (15)
- Illinois (23)
- Indiana (15)
- Iowa (12)
- Kansas (6)
- Kentucky (17)
- Louisiana (10)
- Maine (9)
- Maryland (3)
- Massachusetts (39)
- Michigan (17)
- Minnesota (14)
- Mississippi (8)
- Missouri (15)
- Montana (29)
- Nebraska (14)
- Nevada (7)
- New Hampshire (29)
- New Jersey (9)
- New Mexico (14)
- New York (8)
- North Carolina (14)
- North Dakota (14)
- Ohio (32)
- Oklahoma (10)
- Oregon (13)
- Pennsylvania (6)
- Rhode Island (3)
- South Carolina (17)
- South Dakota (10)
- Tennessee (11)
- Texas (17)
- Utah (5)
- Vermont (9)
- Virginia (10)
- Washington (15)
- Washington DC (5)
- (-) West Virginia (16)
- Wisconsin (7)
- Wyoming (17)
Keyword search
Reset
Reset all filtersTimeline
Burden of proof
Method of determination
Narrrow results
Level of Offense
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Arkansas | Ark. Code Ann. § 5-4-205(e)(2);(f)(3) | Restitution |
(e)(2)In determining the method of payment, the court shall take into account: (A) The financial resources of the defendant and the burden that payment of restitution will impose with regard to another obligation of the defendant; (B) The ability of the defendant to pay restitution on an installment basis or on another condition to be fixed by the court; and (C) The rehabilitative effect on the defendant of the payment of restitution and the method of payment....(f) (3) In determining whether to revoke probation or conditional release, the court or releasing authority shall consider: (A) The defendant's employment status; (B) The defendant's earning ability; (C) The defendant's financial resources; (D) The willfulness of the defendant's failure to pay; and (E) Any other special circumstances that may have a bearing on the defendant's ability to pay.
|
All |
"The financial resources of the defendant and the burden that payment of restitution will impose with regard to another obligation of the defendant; The ability of the defendant to pay restitution on an installment basis or on another condition to be fixed by the court."
|
Not provided for | Not provided for | Determined by judge after hearing | Yes | Not provided for |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Arkansas | Ark. Const. Art. 2, § 9 | Excessive Bail or Punishment Prohibited -- Witness -- Detention |
Excessive bail shall not be required; nor shall excessive fines be imposed; nor shall cruel or unusual punishments be inflicted; nor witnesses be unreasonably detained. |
All |
Fines cannot be "excessive". |
Not provided for | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes | Not provided for |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Arkansas | Ark. Code Ann. § 5-4-303(f) | Conditions of Suspension or Probation |
(1) If the court suspends imposition of sentence on a defendant or places him or her on probation conditioned upon his or her making restitution under subdivision (c)(6) of this section, the court, by concurrence of the victim, defendant, and the prosecuting authority, shall determine the amount to be paid as restitution. (2) After considering the assets, financial condition, and occupation of the defendant, the court shall further determine: (A) Whether restitution shall be total or partial; (B) The amounts to be paid if by periodic payments; and (C) If a personal service is contemplated, the reasonable value and rate of compensation for the personal service rendered to the victim.
|
All | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes | Not provided for |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Arkansas | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-93-104(b)-(d) | Supervision Fee -- Direct Payment by Offender -- Failure to Pay |
(b) (1) When an offender on probation defaults in the payment of supervision fees or any installment thereof, the court may require the offender to show cause why he or she would not be imprisoned for nonpayment. (2) The offender shall not be imprisoned if the offender is financially unable to make the payments and states so to the court in writing, under oath, and the court so finds. (3) Unless the offender shows that his or her default was not attributable to a purposeful refusal to obey the sentence of the court or to a failure on his or her part to make a good faith effort to obtain the funds required for payment, the court may order the defendant imprisoned until the payments are made. (4) If the court determines that the default in payment is not attributable to the causes specified in subdivision (b)(3) of this section, the court may enter an order allowing the offender additional time for payment, reducing the amount of each installment, or revoking the fees or the unpaid portion thereof in whole or in part. (c) (1) The offender on parole may be imprisoned for violation of parole if the offender is financially able to make the payments and if the payments are not made and the Parole Board so finds, subject to the limitations set out in this subsection. (2) The offender shall not be imprisoned if the offender is financially unable to make the payments and states so under oath to the Parole Board in writing, and the Parole Board so finds. (d) Court costs under § 16-10-305 shall be collected in full before any fees are collected under this section.
|
All |
"The offender is financially unable to make the payments." |
Not provided for | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Determined by judge without hearing | Yes |
Additional Time, Reduced Payments, Revoke Fees. |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Arkansas | Ark. Code Ann. § 5-65-114 | Inability to Pay -- Alternative Public Service Work |
If a court finds that a person against whom fines, fees, or court costs are levied for violating this chapter is financially unable to pay the fines, fees, or costs, the court shall order the person to perform public service work as the court determines is appropriate.
|
All |
"Financially unable to pay the fines, fees, or costs." |
Not provided for | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
Community Service. |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Arkansas | Ark. Code Ann. § 5-4-303(g)(2)(B) | Conditions of Suspension or Probation |
The amount of the assessed attorney's fee shall be commensurate with the defendant's ability to pay. |
All | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Determined by judge without hearing | Yes |
Waiver/Reduction of Fee. |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Arkansas | A.C.A. § 5-2-331 | Cost of Mental Health Services, Examination, and Treatment of Defendant |
Rules establishing reasonable charges for the cost of treatment or other mental health services under this section shall provide for waiving or postponing the collection of the charges based on: (A) Clinical considerations; (B) The defendant's inability to pay; or (C) A court determination that the defendant is wholly or partly indigent and qualifies for the appointment of an attorney under § 16-87-213.
|
All | Not provided for | At enforcement of fine or fee | Not provided for | Administrative decision | No | Not provided for |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
Arkansas | A.C.A. § 16-13-704 | Installment Payments -- Definition |
(a) (1) If the court concludes that the defendant has the ability to pay the fine, but that requiring the defendant to make immediate payment in full would cause a severe and undue hardship for the defendant and the defendant's dependents, the court may authorize payment of the fine by means of installment payments in accordance with this subchapter; (d) "Ability to pay" means that the resources of the defendant, including all available income and resources, are sufficient to pay the fine and provide the defendant and his or her dependents with a reasonable subsistence compatible with health and decency.
|
All |
"The resources of the defendant, including all available income and resources, are sufficient to pay the fine and provide the defendant and his or her dependents with a reasonable subsistence compatible with health and decency."
|
Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | No | Not provided for |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
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, 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. |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
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 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 |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
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 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 |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
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 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 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; |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
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 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 |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
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. 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. |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
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 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. |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
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 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 |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
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 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 |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
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 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 |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
West Virginia | W. Va. Code § 62-12-26 | Extended supervision for certain sex offenders; sentencing; conditions; supervision provisions; supervision fee |
(f) The sentencing court may, based upon defendant’s ability to pay, impose a supervision fee to offset the cost of supervision. Said fee shall not exceed $50 per month. Said fee may be modified periodically based upon the defendant’s ability to pay.
|
All |
Not provided for |
Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Determined by judge without hearing | Yes |
No fee or reduced fee; modification of fee. |
|
Add to Dashboard
|
West Virginia | W. Va. Code §17C-5A-3a. | Traffic Regulations and laws of the road - Establishment of and participation in the Motor Vehicle Alcohol Test and Lock Program. |
(5) The fee for installation and removal of ignition interlock devices shall be waived for persons determined to be indigent by the Division of Motor Vehicles pursuant to §17C-5A-3 of this code. The commissioner shall establish by legislative rule, proposed pursuant to §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code, procedures to be followed with regard to persons determined by the Division of Motor Vehicles to be indigent. The rule shall include, but is not limited to, promulgation of application forms, establishment of procedures for the review of applications, and the establishment of a mechanism for the payment of installations for eligible offenders.
|
All |
Not provided for |
Not provided for | Not provided for | Not provided for | No |
Fee waiver |
The Criminal Justice Debt Reform Builder is a project of the National Criminal Justice Debt Initiative of the Criminal Justice Policy Program at Harvard Law School in collaboration with the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University and with user experience design by metaLAB (at) Harvard.
For more information, please visit cjpp.law.harvard.edu.