Criminal Justice Policy Program at Harvard Law School
50-State Criminal Justice Debt Reform Builder Bringing transparency to areas of significant legal complexity.
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.
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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)
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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.
50 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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Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 3-1-317(2) | User surcharge for court information technology -- exception |
If a court determines that a defendant in a criminal case or determines pursuant to 25-10-404 that a party in a civil case is unable to pay the surcharge, the + See morecourt may waive payment of the surcharge imposed by this section.
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All | Not provided for | Not provided for | Not provided for | Not provided for | No |
Waive surcharge |
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Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 3-1-318(2) | Surcharges upon certain criminal convictions -- exception |
A court may not waive payment of the surcharge unless the court determines that the defendant is unable to pay the surcharge. Inability to pay must be supported by a + See moresworn statement from the defendant demonstrating financial inability to pay without substantial hardship in providing for personal or family necessities. The statement is not admissible in the proceeding unless offered for impeachment purposes and is not admissible in a subsequent prosecution for perjury or false swearing.
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All |
Financial inability to pay without substantial hardship in providing for personal or family necessities |
Not provided for | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Not provided for | No |
Waive surcharge |
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Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 45-6-101(2) | Criminal Mischief |
A person convicted of criminal mischief must be ordered to make restitution in an amount and manner to be set by the court. The court shall determine the manner and + See moreamount of restitution after full consideration of the convicted person's ability to pay the restitution.
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All | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | No |
Determine amount of restitution accordingly. |
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Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 45-6-101(2) | Criminal Mischief |
Upon good cause shown by the convicted person, the court may modify any previous order specifying the amount and manner of restitution. Full payment of the amount of restitution ordered + See moremust be made prior to the release of state jurisdiction over the person convicted
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All | Not provided for | At defendant's request at enforcement | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Not provided for | No |
Modify previous order specifying the amount and manner of restitution. |
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Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 46-18-241(3) | Condition of Restitution |
If at any time the court finds that, because of circumstances beyond the offender's control, the offender is not able to pay any restitution, the court may order the offender + See moreto perform community service during the time that the offender is unable to pay. The offender must be given a credit against restitution due at the rate of the hours of community service times the state minimum wage in effect at the time that the community service is performed.
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All | Not provided for | Not provided for | Not provided for | Not provided for | No |
Community service payable against restitution owed in amount equal to the minimum wage for each hour worked. |
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Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-206(5) | Partner or Family Member Assault -- Penalty |
In addition to any sentence imposed under subsections (3) and (4), after determining the financial resources and future ability of the offender to pay restitution as provided for in 46-18-242, + See morethe court shall require the offender, if able, to pay the victim's reasonable actual medical, housing, wage loss, and counseling costs.
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Felony | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
No payment of fee |
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Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-206(6) | Partner or Family Member Assault -- Penalty |
In addition to the requirements of subsection (5), if financially able, the offender must be ordered to pay for the costs of the offender's probation, if probation is ordered by + See morethe court.
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Felony | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
No payment of fee |
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Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-503(5) | Sexual intercourse without consent |
In addition to any sentence imposed under subsection (2) or (3), after determining the financial resources and future ability of the offender to pay restitution as required by 46-18-242, the + See morecourt shall require the offender, if able, to pay the victim's reasonable medical and counseling costs that result from the offense. The amount, method, and time of payment must be determined in the same manner as provided for in 46-18-244.
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Felony | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
Lower restitution amounts or alternative forms of restitution may be available |
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Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-507(6) | Incest |
In addition to any sentence imposed under subsection (3), (4), or (5), after determining the financial resources and future ability of the offender to pay restitution as required by 46-18-242, + See morethe court shall require the offender, if able, to pay the victim's reasonable costs of counseling that result from the offense. The amount, method, and time of payment must be determined in the same manner as provided for in 46-18-244.
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Felony | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
Lower restitution amounts or alternative forms of restitution may be available |
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Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-621(3) | Nonsupport |
If a defense to the charge of nonsupport is inability to pay, the person's inability must be the result of circumstances over which the person had no control. In determining + See moreability to pay, after an allowance for the person's minimal subsistence needs, the support of a spouse, child, or other dependent has priority over any other obligations of the person.
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Misdemeanor, Felony | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Determined by judge after hearing | Yes |
This is a defense in a nonpayment case |
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Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-621(13) | Nonsupport |
The court may order that a term of imprisonment imposed under this section be served in another facility made available by the county and approved by the sentencing court. The + See moreoffender, if financially able, shall bear the expense of the imprisonment.
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Felony | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
No payment of fee |
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Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-627(4) | Ritual abuse of minor--exceptions--penalty |
In addition to any sentence imposed under subsection (3), after determining pursuant to 46-18-242 the financial resources and future ability of the offender to pay restitution, the court shall require + See morethe offender, if able, to pay the victim's reasonable costs of counseling that result from the offense. The amount, method, and time of payment must be determined in the same manner as provided for in 46-18-244.
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Felony | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
Lower restitution amounts or alternative forms of restitution may be available |
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Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 45-6-101(2) | Criminal Mischief |
A person convicted of criminal mischief must be ordered to make restitution in an amount and manner to be set by the court. The court shall determine the manner and + See moreamount of restitution after full consideration of the convicted person's ability to pay the restitution. Upon good cause shown by the convicted person, the court may modify any previous order specifying the amount and manner of restitution. Full payment of the amount of restitution ordered must be made prior to the release of state jurisdiction over the person convicted.
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Misdemeanor | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Determined by judge after hearing | Yes |
Determine amount of restitution accordingly. |
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Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 45-9-102(5)(c)(ii) | Criminal possession of dangerous drugs |
The court shall, as conditions of probation pursuant to subsection (5)(a), order: (ii) payment of the costs of imprisonment, probation, and any methamphetamine treatment by the person if the person + See moreis financially able to pay those costs
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Felony | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
Waive or reduce fee |
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Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 46-1-1112(2) | Funding [of drug treatment courts] |
A drug offender shall pay the total cost or a reasonable portion of the cost to participate. The cost paid by a drug offender may not exceed $300 a month. + See moreThe costs assessed must be compensatory and not punitive in nature and must take into account the drug offender's ability to pay. Upon a showing of indigency, the drug treatment court may reduce or waive costs under this subsection (2).
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Misdemeanor |
Indigency |
Before imposition of fine or fee | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Determined by judge after hearing | Yes |
Waive or reduce fee |
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Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 46-1-1212(2) | Funding [of mental health treatment courts] |
A participant shall pay the total cost or a reasonable portion of the cost to participate. The cost paid by a participant may not exceed $300 a month. The costs + See moreassessed must be compensatory and not punitive in nature and must take into account the participant's ability to pay. Upon a showing of indigency, the mental health treatment court may reduce or waive costs under this subsection.
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Misdemeanor |
Indigency |
Before imposition of fine or fee | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Determined by judge after hearing | Yes |
Waive or reduce fee |
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