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

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.

32 Results

Export results to Excel

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
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

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

+ See more
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.

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

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

+ See more
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.

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

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

+ See more
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.

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

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

+ See more
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.

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

New Mexico N.M. Stat. Ann. § 31-20-6 Conditions of order deferring or suspending sentence

The defendant upon conviction shall be required to pay the actual costs of the defendant’s supervised probation service to the adult probation and parole division of the corrections department or

+ See more
appropriate responsible agency for deposit to the corrections department intensive supervision fund not exceeding one thousand eight hundred dollars ($1,800) annually to be paid in monthly installments of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) and not more than one hundred fifty dollars ($150), as set by the appropriate district supervisor of the adult probation and parole division, based upon the financial circumstances of the defendant. The defendant’s payment of the supervised probation costs shall not be waived unless the court holds an evidentiary hearing and finds that the defendant is unable to pay the costs. If the court waives the defendant’s payment of the supervised probation costs and the defendant’s financial circumstances subsequently change so that the defendant is able to pay the costs, the appropriate district supervisor of the adult probation and parole division shall advise the court and the court shall hold an evidentiary hearing to determine whether the waiver should be rescinded.

All

Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge after hearing No

Fee waiver

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

New Mexico N.M. Stat. Ann. § 31-16-7 Recovery from defendant

A. The district attorney may, on behalf of the state, recover payment or reimbursement, as the case may be, from each person who has received legal assistance or another benefit

+ See more
under the Indigent Defense Act: (1) to which he was not entitled; (2) with respect to which he was not a needy person when he received it; or (3) with respect to which he has failed to make the certificate required by Section 62 B of the Indigent Defense Act and for which he refuses to pay. Suit must be brought within six years after the date on which the aid was received.

B. The district attorney may, on behalf of the state, recover payment or reimbursement, as the case may be, from each person other than a person covered by SMayubsection A who has received legal assistance under the Indigent Defense Act and who, on the date on which suit is brought, is financially able to pay or reimburse the state for it according to the standards of ability to pay applicable under the Indigent Defense Act but refuses to do so. Suit must be brought within three years after the date on which the benefit was received. 

All

Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing No

May not recover payment or reimbursement.

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

New Mexico N.M. Stat. Ann. § 31-12-3(D) Paying fines, fees, or costs in installments

If it appears that a defendant's default in the payment of a fine, fees or costs is not contumacious, the court may allow the defendant additional time for payment, reduce

+ See more
the amount of the fine or of each installment, revoke the fine or the unpaid portion in whole or in part or require the defendant to perform community service in lieu of the fine, fees or costs.

All

Default not "contumacious"

At enforcement of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing No

Additional time for payment, reduce the amount of the fine or of each installment, revoke the fine or the unpaid portion in whole or in part, or require the defendant to

+ See more
perform community service in lieu payment.

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

New Mexico N.M. Stat. Ann. § 31-12-3(A) Paying fines, fees, or costs in installments

Any person sentenced to pay a fine or to pay fees and costs in any criminal proceeding against him, either in addition to or without a term of imprisonment, may

+ See more
in the discretion of the court be allowed to pay such fine, fees or costs in installments of such amounts, at such times and upon such conditions as the court may fix. The defendant may also be required to serve a period of time in labor to be known as “community service” in lieu of all or part of the fine. If unable to pay the fees or costs, he may be granted permission to perform community service in lieu of them as well . . .

All

Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing No

Community service in lieu of payment.

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

New Mexico N.M. Stat. Ann. § 31-16-5(B)-(C) Determination of indigency

B. In determining whether a person is a needy person and the extent of his inability to pay, the court concerned may consider such factors as income, property owned, outstanding obligations

+ See more
and the number and ages of his dependents. Release on bail does not necessarily prevent him from being a needy person. In each case, the person shall, subject to the penalties for perjury, certify in writing or by other record material factors relating to his ability to pay as the court prescribes.

C. To the extent that a person covered by Section 60 [31-16-3 NMSA 1978] of the Indigent Defense Act is able to provide for an attorney, the other necessary services and facilities of representation and court costs, the court may order him to provide for their payment.

All

Factors considered: income, property owned, outstanding obligations and number and age of dependents

Not provided for Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing Yes

Representation provided without costs

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

New Mexico N.M. Stat. Ann. § 31-15-12(C) Explanation of rights; waiver of counsel; application fee; indigency determination

A person shall pay a non-refundable application fee of ten dollars ($10.00) at the time the person applies with the public defender for representation. The fee shall be deposited in

+ See more
the public defender automation fund. The public defender shall determine if the person is indigent and unable to pay the fee, subject to review by the court. When the person remains in custody and is unable to pay the fee, the court may waive payment of the fee.

All

Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Other No

Fee waiver

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

New Mexico N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-18-1.2(C)-(D) Disposition of seized animals

C. An agent of the New Mexico livestock board, an animal control agency operated by the state, a county or a municipality, or an animal shelter or other animal welfare

+ See more
organization designated by an animal control agency or an animal shelter, in the custody of which an animal that has been cruelly treated has been placed may petition the court to request that the animal's owner may be ordered to post security with the court to indemnify the costs incurred to care and provide for the seized animal pending the disposition of any criminal charges of committing cruelty to animals pending against the animal's owner.
D. The court shall determine the amount of security while taking into consideration all of the circumstances of the case including the owner’s ability to pay, and may conduct periodic reviews of its order. If the posting of security is ordered, the animal control agency, animal shelter or animal welfare organization may, with permission of the court, draw from the security to indemnify the costs incurred to care and provide for the seized animal pending disposition of the criminal charges.

All

Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing No

N/A

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

New Mexico N.M. Stat. Ann. § 31-1A-2(J) Procedures for post-conviction consideration of DNA evidence; requirements

The cost of DNA testing ordered pursuant to this section shall be borne by the state or the petitioner, as the district court may order in the interest of justice.

+ See more
Provided, that a petitioner shall not be denied DNA testing because of the petitioner's inability to pay for the cost of DNA testing. 

All

Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing No

Cost paid by state.

 

 

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

New Mexico N.M. Stat. Ann. § 31-17-1(B) Victim restitution

If the defendant is currently unable to make any restitution but there is a reasonable possibility that the defendant may be able to do so at some time during his

+ See more
probation or parole 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 he will not be able to make any restitution, he shall so state and shall specify the reasons.

All

Unable to make restituion.

Before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Not provided for No

N/A

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

New Mexico N.M. Stat. Ann. § 31-20-6 Conditions of order deferring or suspending sentence

The magistrate, metropolitan or district court shall attach to its order deferring or suspending sentence reasonable conditions as it may deem necessary to ensure that the defendant will observe the

+ See more
laws of the United States and the various states and the ordinances of any municipality . . . The defendant upon conviction shall be required to pay the actual costs of the defendant's supervised probation service to the adult probation and parole division of the corrections department or appropriate responsible agency for deposit to the corrections department intensive supervision fund not exceeding one thousand eight hundred dollars ($1,800) annually to be paid in monthly installments of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) and not more than one hundred fifty dollars ($150), as set by the appropriate district supervisor of the adult probation and parole division, based upon the financial circumstances of the defendant. The defendant's payment of the supervised probation costs shall not be waived unless the court holds an evidentiary hearing and finds that the defendant is unable to pay the costs. If the court waives the defendant's payment of the supervised probation costs and the defendant's financial circumstances subsequently change so that the defendant is able to pay the costs, the appropriate district supervisor of the adult probation and parole division shall advise the court and the court shall hold an evidentiary hearing to determine whether the waiver should be rescinded.

All

Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing No

Fee waiver

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

New Mexico N.M. Stat. Ann. § 31-21-10(G)(1) Parole authority and procedure

G. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978, the board shall require the inmate as a condition of parole: (1) to pay the actual costs of parole services

+ See more
to the adult probation and parole division of the corrections department for deposit to the corrections department intensive supervision fund not exceeding one thousand eight hundred dollars ($1,800) annually to be paid in monthly installments of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) and not more than one hundred fifty dollars ($150), as set by the appropriate district supervisor of the adult probation and parole division, based upon the financial circumstances of the defendant. The defendant's payment of the supervised parole costs shall not be waived unless the board holds an evidentiary hearing and finds that the defendant is unable to pay the costs. If the board waives the defendant's payment of the supervised parole costs and the defendant's financial circumstances subsequently change so that the defendant is able to pay the costs, the appropriate district supervisor of the adult probation and parole division shall advise the board and the board shall hold an evidentiary hearing to determine whether the waiver should be rescinded.

All

Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing No

Fee waiver

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

New Mexico N.M. Stat. Ann. § 33-9-3 Community corrections grant fund; established; co-payments

A. There is created in the state treasury a special fund to be known as the “community corrections grant fund”. All money appropriated to the fund or accruing to it

+ See more
as a result of gift, deposit, investments or other sources shall not be transferred to another fund or encumbered or disbursed in any manner except as provided in the Adult Community Corrections Act. The fund shall be for the purpose of providing programs and services for the diversion of criminal offenders to community-based settings.
B. The department shall require criminal offenders who participate in a program and who receive services to make a co-payment to offset the cost of the services. The amount of the co-payment shall be based upon the offender's ability to pay. The department shall collect the co-payments and on a monthly basis deliver them to the state treasurer for deposit in the community corrections grant fund.

All Not provided for Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Administrative decision No

Copayment sent based on ability to pay.

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

New Mexico N.M. Stat. Ann. § 35-5-8(A) Magistrate court; indigency standard; fee schedule; reimbursement

A. The magistrate court shall use a standard adopted by the public defender department to determine indigency of persons accused of crimes carrying a possible jail sentence.

All

Indigency

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

N/A

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

New Mexico N.M. Stat. Ann. § 34-6-46(A) District court; indigency standard; fee schedule; reimbursement

The district court shall use a standard adopted by the public defender department to determine indigency of persons accused of crimes carrying a possible jail sentence.

All

Indigent

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

N/A

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

North Dakota N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-32-05(1) Imposition of fine--Response to nonpayment
1. The court, in making a determination of the propriety of imposing a sentence to pay a fine, shall consider the following factors:a. The ability of the defendant to pay
+ See more
without undue hardship. b. Whether the defendant, other than a defendant organization, gained money or property as a result of commission. c. Whether the sentence to pay a fine will interfere with the defendant's capacity to make restitution. d. Whether a sentence to pay a fine will serve a valid rehabilitative purpose.
All

ability of the defendant to pay without undue hardship

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes

fine not imposed

BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

North Dakota N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-32-08(1) Hearing prior to ordering restitution, reparation, or reimbursement of indigent defense costs and expenses--Conditions--Collection of restitution for insufficient funds checks--Continuing appropriation
Before imposing restitution or reparation as a sentence or condition of probation, the court shall hold a hearing on the matter with notice to the prosecuting attorney and to the
+ See more
defendant as to the nature and amount of restitution. The court, when sentencing a person adjudged guilty of criminal activities that have resulted in pecuniary damages, in addition to any other sentence the court may impose, shall order that the defendant make restitution to the victim or other recipient as determined by the court, unless the court states on the record, based upon the criteria in this subsection, the reason it does not order restitution or orders only partial restitution. Restitution must include payment to the owner of real property that is contaminated by the defendant in the manufacturing of methamphetamine for the cost of removing the contamination and returning the property to the property's condition before contamination and to any other person that has incurred costs in decontaminating the property. In determining whether to order restitution, the court shall take into account: a. The reasonable damages sustained by the victim or victims of the criminal offense, which damages are limited to those directly related to the criminal offense and expenses actually incurred as a direct result of the defendant's criminal action. This can include an amount equal to the cost of necessary and related professional services and devices relating to physical, psychiatric, and psychological care. The defendant may be required as part of the sentence imposed by the court to pay the prescribed treatment costs for a victim of a sexual offense as defined in chapters 12.1-20 and 12.1-27.2. b. The ability of the defendant to restore the fruits of the criminal action or to pay monetary reparations, or to otherwise take action to restore the victim's property. c. The likelihood that attaching a condition relating to restitution or reparation will serve a valid rehabilitational purpose in the case of the particular offender considered.The court shall fix the amount of restitution or reparation, which may not exceed an amount the defendant can or will be able to pay, and shall fix the manner of performance of any condition or conditions of probation established pursuant to this subsection. The court shall order restitution be paid to the division of adult services for any benefits the division has paid or may pay under chapter 54-23.4 unless the court, on the record, directs otherwise. Any payments made pursuant to the order must be deducted from damages awarded in a civil action arising from the same incident. An order that a defendant make restitution or reparation as a sentence or condition of probation may, unless the court directs otherwise, be filed, transcribed, and enforced by the person entitled to the restitution or reparation or by the division of adult services in the same manner as civil judgments rendered by the courts of this state may be enforced.
All Not provided for Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes Not provided for