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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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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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,
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and the court so finds
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
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indigent.
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
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and court-ordered drug testing of indigent offenders.
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)
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days. 
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
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participation in the program would provide a benefit to his community.
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
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of 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.
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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Wisconsin Wis. Stat. § 814.67(bg) Witnesses fee for indigent defendants (bg) For interpreters assisting the state public defender in representing an indigent in preparing for court proceedings, $35 per one?half day. All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Yes Not provided for
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Wisconsin Wis. Stat. § 973.055(4) Domestic abuse surcharge waiver
(4) A court may waive part or all of the domestic abuse surcharge under this section if it determines that the imposition of the full surcharge would have a negative
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impact on the offender’s family.
All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No Not provided for
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Wisconsin Wis. Stat. § 977.06 Determination of Indigence
(1) DUTIES. The state public defender shall determine whether persons are indigent and shall establish a system to do all of the following: (a) Verify the information necessary to determine indigence
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under rules promulgated under s. 977.02 (3). The information provided by a person seeking assigned counsel that is subject to verification shall include any social security numbers provided on an application under sub. (1m), income records, value of assets, eligibility for public assistance, and claims of expenses. (b) Redetermine indigence during the course of representation of persons receiving representation. (c) Record the amount of time spent on each case by the attorney appointed under s. 977.08. (d) Collect for the cost of representation from persons who are indigent in part or who have been otherwise determined to be able to reimburse the state public defender for the cost of providing counsel. (1m) APPLICATION FOR REPRESENTATION. The state public defender shall request each person seeking to have counsel assigned for him or her under s. 977.08, other than a child who is entitled to be represented by counsel under s. 48.23 or 938.23, to provide the state public defender with his or her social security number and the social security numbers of his or her spouse an dependent children, if any. (2) VERIFICATIONS. (a) A person seeking to have counsel assigned for him or her under s. 977.08, other than a person who is entitled to be represented by counsel under s. 48.23, 51.60, 55.105, or 938.23, shall sign a statement declaring that he or she has not disposed of any assets for the purpose of qualifying for that assignment of counsel. If the representative or authority making the indigence determination finds that any asset was disposed of for less than its fair market value for the purpose of obtaining that assignment of counsel, the asset shall be counted under rules promulgated under s. 977.02 (3) at its fair market value at the time it was disposed of, minus the amount of compensation received for the asset. (am) A person seeking to have counsel assigned for him or her under s. 977.08, other than a person who is entitled to be represented by counsel under s. 48.23, 51.60, 55.105, or 938.23, shall sign a statement declaring that the information that he or she has given to determine eligibility for assignment of counsel he or she believes to be true and that he or she is informed that he or she is subject to the penalty under par. (b). (b) A person who makes a false representation that he or she does not believe is true for purposes of qualifying for assignment of counsel is guilty of a Class I felony. (3) REDETERMINATIONS. (a) Unless the court has made an adjustment under s. 973.06 (1) (e), upon determination at the conclusion of a case that a person’s financial circumstances are changed, the state public defender may adjust the amount of payment for counsel. (b) The state public defender may petition a court that ordered payment under s. 757.66, 973.06 (1) (e) or 977.076 (1) to modify an order or judgment to adjust the amount of payment or the scheduled amounts at any time. (c) Except as provided in ss. 48.275 (2) (b) and 938.275 (2) (b), an adjustment under this subsection shall be based on the person’s ability to pay and on the fee schedule established by the board under s. 977.075 (3).
All

Unspecified

At defendant's request before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge after hearing No

Public defender services are funded 100% through the state of Wisconsin. KNOW YOUR STATE, SIXTH AMENDMENT CTR. (Last visited Jan. 29, 2017), http://sixthamendment.org/state-indigent-defense-systems/ .

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Wisconsin Wis. Stat. § 973(3) Community Service in lieu of fine
(3) (a) In lieu of part or all of a fine imposed by a court, the court may stay the execution of part or all of the sentence and provide
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that the defendant perform community service work under pars. (b) and (c). Any applicable driver improvement surcharge under s. 346.655, any safe ride program surcharge under s. 346.657, or any domestic abuse surcharge under s. 973.055 shall be imposed under ch. 814 regardless of whether part or all of the sentence has been stayed. If the defendant fails to comply with the community service order, the court shall order the defendant brought before the court for imposition of sentence. If the defendant complies with the community service order, he or she has satisfied that portion of the sentence. (b) The court may require that the defendant perform community service work for a public agency or a nonprofit charitable organization. The number of hours of work required may not exceed what would be reasonable considering the seriousness of the offense and any other offense which is read into the record at the time of conviction. An order may only apply if agreed to by the defendant and the organization or agency. The court shall ensure that the defendant is provided a written statement of the terms of the community service order and that the community service order is monitored. (c) Any organization or agency acting in good faith to which a defendant is assigned pursuant to an order under this subsection has immunity from any civil liability in excess of $25,000 for act or omissions by or impacting on the defendant.
All

Not specified. In the discretion of the court at time of sentencing under this statute.

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

Defendant must complete a number of hours of community service work. The number of hours is determined by the court and should not exceed what would be reasonable given the

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severity of the crime.

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Wisconsin Wis. Stat. § 938.235(8)(b) Compensation for guardian ad litem
The court may order either or both of the parents of a juvenile for whom a guardian ad litem is appointed under this chapterto pay all or any part of
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the compensation of the guardian ad litem. Upon motion by the guardian ad litem, the court may order either or both of the parents of the juvenile to pay the fee for an expert witness used by the guardian ad litem, if the guardian ad litem shows that the use of the expert is necessary to assist the guardian ad litem in performing his or her functions or duties under this chapter. If one or both of the parents are indigent or if the court determines that it would be unfair to a parent to require him or her to pay, the court may order the county of venue to pay the compensation and fees, in whole or in part. If the court orders the county of venue to pay, the court may also order either or both of the parents to reimburse the county, in whole or in part, for the payment.
All

Not specified.

Not provided for Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing No

The court may order the county of venue to pay instead.

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Wisconsin Wis. Stat. § 814.29(1) Security for costs, service and fees for indigents
1) (a) Except as provided in sub. (1m), any person may commence, prosecute or defend any action or special proceeding in any court, or any writ of error or appeal
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therein, without beingrequired to give security for costs or to pay any service or fee, upon order of the court based on a finding that because of poverty the person is unable to pay the costs of the action or special proceeding, or any writ of error or appeal therein, or to give security for those costs. (b) A person seeking an order under par. (a) shall file in the court an affidavit in the form prescribed by the judicial conference, setting forth briefly the nature of the cause, defense or appeal and facts demonstrating his or her poverty. (c) The finding and order of the court under par. (a) shall be in the form prescribed by the judicial conference. The court may deny the request for an order if the court finds that the affidavit states no claim, defense or appeal upon which the court may grant relief. (d) The court shall make a finding of poverty and issue an order under par. (a) if the affidavit demonstrates any of the following: 1. That the person is a recipient of means?tested public assistance, including aid to families with dependent children, relief funded by a relief block grant under ch. 49, relief provided by counties under s. 59.53 (21), medical assistance, supplemental security income, food stamps or benefits received by veterans under s. 45.40 (1m) or under 38 USC 501 to 562 [38 USC 1501 to 1562]. 2. That the person is represented by an attorney through a legal services program for indigent persons, including, without limitation, those funded by the federal legal services corporation, the state public defender or volunteer attorney programs based on indigence. 3. That the person is otherwise unable, because of poverty, to pay the costs of the action, proceeding or appeal or to give security for those costs. In determining the person’s ability under this subdivision to pay or give security for fees and costs, the court shall consider the person’s household size, income, expenses, assets and debts and the federal poverty guidelines under 42 USC 9902 (2).
All

In determining the person’s ability under this subdivision
to pay or give security for fees and costs, the court shall
consider the person’s household size, income, expenses, assets
and debts

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and the federal poverty guidelines under 42 USC 9902
(2).

Not provided for Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge without hearing No Not provided for
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Wisconsin Wis. Stat. § 800.09(1g) Judgment
The court may defer payment of any judgment or provide for installment payments. At the time that the judgment is rendered, the court shall inform the defendant, orally and in
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writing, of the date by which restitution and the payment of the forfeiture, plus costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under ch. 814, must be made, and of the possible consequences of failure to do so in timely fashion, including imprisonment, as provided in s.800.095, or suspension of the defendant’s motor vehicle operating privilege, as provided in sub. (1b) (c), if applicable. In addition, the court shall inform the defendant, orally and in writing, that the defendant should notify the court if he or she is unable to pay the judgment because of poverty, as that term is used in s. 814.29 (1)(d), and that he or she may request community service in lieu of payment of the judgment. If the defendant is not present, the court shall ensure that the information is sent to the defendant by mail. If the defendant is present and the court, using the criteria in s. 814.29 (1) (d), determines that the defendant is unable to pay the judgment because of poverty, the court shall provide the defendant with an opportunity to pay the judgment in installments, taking into account the defendant’s income, or to perform communityservice in lieu of payment of the judgment. In 1st class cities, all of the written information required by this subsection shall be printed in English and Spanish and provided to each defendant.
All

Not specified.

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Other No

The court may impose community service if the defendant is unable to complete payment of the judgment