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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.
23 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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Delaware | 10 Del. C. §8603(a) | Nonpayment of Costs |
When a defendant who is required to pay the costs of defense defaults in the payment thereof or of any installment, the court on motion of the Attorney General or upon its own motion may require the defendant to show cause why the default should not be treated as contempt of court, and may issue a rule or order to show cause why such default should not be treated as contempt of court, and may take such further actions as the court determines to produce the defendant before the court.
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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 without hearing | No |
Additional Time for Payment; Reducing Payment or Installment Amount; Revoking Payment in Whole or Unpaid Part. |
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Delaware | 10 Del. C. §8603(d) | Nonpayment of Costs |
If it appears to the satisfaction of the court that the default in the payment of defense costs is not contempt, the court may enter an order allowing the defendant additional time for payment, reducing the amount thereof or of each installment, or revoking such payment or the unpaid portion thereof 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 without hearing | No |
Additional Time for Payment; Reducing Payment or Installment Amount; Revoking Payment in Whole or Unpaid Part. |
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Delaware | 10 Del. C. §8601(d) | Recoupment of Costs |
A defendant who has been required to pay the costs of defense and who is not in contumacious default in the payment thereof may at any time petition the court for remission of the payment of such costs, or of any unpaid portion thereof. If it appears to the satisfaction of the court that payment of the amount due will impose manifest hardship on the defendant or immediate family, the court may remit all or part of the amount due in costs, or modify the method of payment.
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All |
"Will impose manifest hardship on the defendant or immediate family." |
At defendant's request at enforcement | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Determined by judge without hearing | No |
Remission of All or Part of Fee. |
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Delaware | 10 Del. C. § 8601(c) | Recoupment of Costs |
The court shall not require a defendant to pay the costs of defense unless the defendant is, or will be, able to pay them. In determining the amount and method of payment of such costs, 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 |
"The court shall take account of the financial resources of the defendant and the nature of the burden that payment of costs will impose." |
Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Determined by judge without hearing | Yes |
Defendant Not Required to Pay. |
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Mississippi | Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-20 (2) | Fines; payment; indigent defendants; inability to work or unavailability of work |
The defendant shall not be imprisoned if the defendant is financially unable to pay a fine and so states to the court in writing, under oath, after sentence is pronounced, + See moreand the court so finds
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All | Not provided for | At defendant's request at enforcement | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Other | Yes |
work for the county |
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Mississippi | Miss. Code Ann. § 99-5-38 (8) | community service |
The court may allow a defendant to perform community service in lieu of paying the costs required by subsection (2)(b) or (c) if the court determines that the defendant is + See moreindigent.
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Felony |
indigence |
Not provided for | Not provided for | Not provided for | No |
community service |
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Mississippi | Miss. Code Ann. § 63-11-31 (7)(a) | Interlock Device Fund |
The Department of Public Safety shall promulgate rules and regulations for the use of monies in the Interlock Device Fund to offset the cost of device installation and operation by + See moreand court-ordered drug testing of indigent offenders.
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Misdemeanor |
inadequate resources to pay; participation in public assistance programs |
Not provided for | Burden on government to show ability to pay | Administrative decision | Yes |
Interlock Device Fund |
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Mississippi | Miss. Code Ann. § 47-7-49 (1) | hardship waiver |
A hardship waiver may be granted by the sentencing court or the Department of Corrections. A hardship waiver may not be granted for a period of time exceeding ninety (90) + See moredays.
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Misdemeanor |
inability to pay |
At defendant's request at enforcement | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
hardship waiver |
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Mississippi | Miss. Code Ann. § 47-5-1007 (1)(a) | Waiver | The department may waive the monthly fee if the offender is a full-time student or is engaged in vocational training. | Misdemeanor |
full-time student |
Not provided for | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
waiver |
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Mississippi | Miss. Code Ann. § 47-5-1007 (1)(b) | sliding scale | based on a sliding scale using the standard of need for each family that is used to calculate TANF benefits | Misdemeanor |
TANF benefits recipient |
Not provided for | Not provided for | Other | Yes |
sliding scale for payment |
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Mississippi | Miss. Code Ann. § 47-5-1013 (a) | waiver |
The sentencing judge may charge a program fee of less than Eighty-eight Dollars ($ 88.00) per month in cases of extreme financial hardship, when such judge determines that the offender's + See moreparticipation in the program would provide a benefit to his community.
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Misdemeanor |
extreme financial hardship |
Not provided for | Not provided for | Not provided for | No |
lower fee |
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Mississippi | Miss. Code Ann. § 99-37-3(2) | Imposition and amount |
In determining whether to order restitution which may be complete, partial or nominal, the court shall take into account:(a) The financial resources of the defendant and the burden that payment + See moreof restitution will impose, with due regard to the other obligations of the defendant;
(b) The ability of the defendant to pay restitution on an installment basis or on other conditions to be fixed by the court; and
(c) The rehabilitative effect on the defendant of the payment of restitution and the method of payment.
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All |
ability of defendant to pay on installment basis, financial resources of the defendant, burden of payment |
Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
installment plan, reduction of amount, or waiver |
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Tennessee | Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-101(b)(2) | Assault - Domestic Abuse |
if the relationship between the defendant and the victim of the assault is such that the victim is a domestic abuse victim as defined in § 36-3-601, and if, as + See moredetermined by the court, the defendant possesses the ability to pay a fine in an amount not in excess of two hundred dollars ($200), then the court shall impose a fine at the level of the defendant's ability to pay, but not in excess of two hundred dollars ($200).
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Misdemeanor |
No definition of ability to pay is provided. However, in imposing fines, courts must consider the defendant's ability to pay, prior criminal history, potential for rehabilitation, financial means, and other mitigating and enhancing factors.
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Before imposition of fine or fee | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Determined by judge after hearing | Yes |
Imposition of a lower fee |
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Tennessee | Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-102(e)(2) | Aggravated Assault - Domestic Abuse |
In addition to any other punishment that may be imposed for a violation of this section, if the relationship between the defendant and the victim of the assault is such + See morethat the victim is a domestic abuse victim as defined in § 36-3-601, and if, as determined by the court, the defendant possesses the ability to pay a fine in an amount not in excess of two hundred dollars ($200), then the court shall impose a fine at the level of the defendant's ability to pay, but not in excess of two hundred dollars ($200).
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All |
No definition of ability to pay is provided. However, in imposing fines, courts must consider the defendant's ability to pay, prior criminal history, potential for rehabilitation, financial means, and other mitigating and enhancing factors.
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Before imposition of fine or fee | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Determined by judge after hearing | Yes |
Imposition of a lower fee |
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Tennessee | Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-111(c)(5) | Domestic Assault - Additional Fee |
In addition to any other punishment that may be imposed for a violation of this section, if, as determined by the court, the defendant possesses the ability to pay a + See morefine in an amount not in excess of two hundred twenty-five dollars ($225), then the court shall impose a fine at the level of the defendant's ability to pay, but not in excess of two hundred twenty-five dollars ($225).
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All |
No definition of ability to pay is provided. However, in imposing fines, courts must consider the defendant's ability to pay, prior criminal history, potential for rehabilitation, financial means, and other mitigating and enhancing factors.
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Before imposition of fine or fee | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Determined by judge after hearing | Yes |
Imposition of a lower fee |
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Tennessee | Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-709(e) | Sex Offender Conviction Tax |
The court may waive all or any portion of the tax required by this section if the court finds that a person convicted of a sex offense is indigent or + See morefinancially unable to pay.
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All |
No definition of ability to pay is provided. However, in imposing fines, courts must consider the defendant's ability to pay, prior criminal history, potential for rehabilitation, financial means, and other mitigating and enhancing factors.
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Not provided for | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Determined by judge after hearing | No |
Reduction or waiver of the fee |
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Tennessee | Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-428(d) | Fines and Penalties; Mandatory Minimums; Allocation |
(1) Unless the judge, using the applicable criteria set out in § 40-14-202(c), determines that a person convicted of violating this section is indigent, or that payment of the minimum + See morefine would result in a severe economic hardship, or such fine would otherwise not be in the interests of justice, the minimum fines imposed by this section shall be mandatory and shall not be reduced, suspended, waived or otherwise released by the court. No plea agreement shall be accepted by a court if the agreement attempts to reduce or suspend all or any portion of the mandatory fines imposed by this section unless the judge determines that one (1) of the conditions set out in the first sentence of this subdivision (d)(1) exists.(2) If the judge of a court of general sessions determines that it is necessary to reduce, suspend, waive or otherwise release the minimum fines imposed by this section, the judge shall assess the fine, and write on the warrant the amount of the fine, the fact that it is reduced, suspended, waived or released and the reasons for the reduction, suspension, waiver or release. If done by the judge of a court of record, the judge shall assess the fine and make a specific finding of fact on the record relative to the reduction, suspension, waiver or release and the reasons for the reduction, suspension, waiver or release.
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All |
No definition of ability to pay is provided. However, in imposing fines, courts must consider the defendant's ability to pay, prior criminal history, potential for rehabilitation, financial means, and other mitigating and enhancing factors.
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Not provided for | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Determined by judge after hearing | Yes |
Reduction or waiver of the fee |
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Tennessee | Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-39-305(b) | Sexual Offender Fee |
The department may waive all or any portion of the fees required by this section if it determines that an offender is indigent or financially unable to pay all or + See moreany portion of the fee. The department shall waive only that portion of the surcharge which the offender is financially unable to pay.
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All |
No definition of ability to pay is provided. However, in imposing fines, courts must consider the defendant's ability to pay, prior criminal history, potential for rehabilitation, financial means, and other mitigating and enhancing factors.
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Not provided for | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Determined by judge after hearing | No |
Reduction or waiver of the fee |
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Tennessee | Tenn. Code Ann. § 41-2-128(5) | Prisoners who may apply for release -- Procedure. |
(5)(A) The judge shall, at the time of sentencing, cause the sentencing order to reflect the defendant's cost of incarceration and treatment and shall affix to the order, taking into + See moreconsideration the defendant's ability to pay, the time and manner in which the costs are to be paid. The court shall enter the necessary orders requiring that the costs of incarceration and treatment be paid or secured, including, but not limited to, orders of probation that include, as a condition thereof, the payment of costs covered by this subdivision (c)(5).(B) When a defendant alleges inability to pay pursuant to the terms set out by the order, the defendant may petition the court for modification as to the terms of payment. When it is determined that the defendant is unable to pay the entirety of the costs covered by this subdivision (c)(5) in the time and manner imposed by the court, any costs imposed against the defendant shall be pursuant to a schedule promulgated by the chief administrative officer of the county, or the officer's designee, with the schedule to be based upon the defendant's ability to pay the same.(C) In promulgating the schedule governing costs and the amount thereof to be paid by the defendant, the chief administrative officer of the county, or the officer's designee, shall consider the defendant's ability to pay and the disbursement schedule set forth in § 41-2-129 and shall incorporate payments ordered in this subsection (c) into the schedule.(D) In no event shall a person be denied access to this program or be denied discharge from incarceration as a result of that person's inability to pay.
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All | Not provided for | Not provided for | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Not provided for | Yes |
Reduction or waiver of the fee |
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Tennessee | Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-401(m) | Fees for particular services |
(m) Indigent parties. No clerk shall be permitted to collect any fee authorized by this section without permitting any person the opportunity to institute a cause of action by means + See moreof a pauper's oath, in accordance with Rule 29 of the Rules of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
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All | Not provided for | At enforcement of fine or fee | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Not provided for | Yes |
Not specified |
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