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.

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"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.

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"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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Virginia Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-355 Petition of defendant
(a) In determining whether the defendant is unable to pay such fine forthwith, the court may require such defendant to file a petition, under oath, with the court, upon a
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form provided by the court, setting forth the financial condition of the defendant. (b) Such form shall be a questionnaire, and shall include, but shall not be limited to: the name and residence of the defendant; his occupation, if any; his family status and the number of persons dependent upon him; his monthly income; whether or not his dependents are employed and, if so, their approximate monthly income; his banking accounts, if any; real estate owned by the defendant, or any interest he may have in real estate; income produced therefrom; any independent income accruing to the defendant; tangible and intangible personal property owned by the defendant, or in which he may have an interest; and a statement listing the approximate indebtedness of the defendant to other persons. Such form shall also include a payment plan of the defendant, if the court should exercise its discretion in permitting the payment of such fine and costs in installments or other conditions to be fixed by the court.
All Not provided for Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for No

permitting the payment of such fine and costs in installments or other conditions to be fixed by the court

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Virginia Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-358(C) Show cause hearing on default
B. Following the order to show cause or following a capias issued for a defendant's failure to comply with a court order to appear issued pursuant to subsection A of
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§ 19.2-354, unless the defendant shows that his default was not attributable to an intentional refusal to obey the sentence of the court, or not attributable to a failure on his part to make a good faith effort to obtain the necessary funds for payment, or unless the defendant shows that any failure to appear was not attributable to an intentional refusal to obey the order of the court, the court may order the defendant confined as for a contempt for a term not to exceed sixty days or impose a fine not to exceed $500. The court may provide in its order that payment or satisfaction of the amounts in default at any time will entitle the defendant to his release from such confinement or, after entering the order, may at any time reduce the sentence for good cause shown, including payment or satisfaction of such amounts. C. If it appears that the default is excusable under the standards set forth in subsection B hereof, the court may enter an order allowing the defendant additional time for payment, reducing the amount due or of each installment, or remitting the unpaid portion 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 after hearing No

additional time for payment, reducing the amount due or of each installment, or remitting the unpaid portion in whole or in part

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Virginia Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-363 Authority of Governor to grant relief from fines and penalties in case of deceased defendant
provided, that when the party against whom the fine or penalty has been imposed and judgment rendered therefor has departed this life leaving a spouse or children surviving, the Governor
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may remit such fine or penalty upon the certificate of the judge of the circuit court of the county or city wherein such fine or penalty was imposed and judgment rendered, that to enforce the same against the estate, real or personal, of the decedent, would impose hardship upon the spouse or children
All

would impose hardship upon the spouse or children

At defendant's request at enforcement Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing No

remittance

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Virginia Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-299.2(C) Local alcohol safety action program - ability to pay
If the referral is to the local alcohol safety action program, the program may charge a fee for the education and intervention component, or both, not to exceed $300, based
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upon the defendant's ability to pay.
All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Yes

Not specified

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Virginia Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-150.1 Substance abuse treatment as condition of parole - exemptions
Any person who is granted parole and who is required to receive substance abuse treatment as a condition of parole shall contribute towards the cost of such treatment based upon
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his ability to pay, as established pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Board of Corrections. The regulations shall provide that (i) any fees collected for such treatment shall be paid directly to the service provider and (ii) any person may be exempt from the payment of such fees on the grounds of unreasonable hardship.
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unreasonable hardship

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

exemption from payment of fees

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Virginia Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-57.3(D) Education/treatment program sliding scale fee structure
The court shall require the person entering such education or treatment program or services under the provisions of this section to pay all or part of the costs of the
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program or services, including the costs of any assessment, evaluation, testing, education and treatment, based upon the person's ability to pay. Such programs or services shall offer a sliding-scale fee structure or other mechanism to assist participants who are unable to pay the full costs of the required programs or services.
All Not provided for Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes

sliding scale fee structure

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Virginia Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-251 Program costs - ability to pay
The court shall require the person entering such program under the provisions of this section to pay all or part of the costs of the program, including the costs of
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the screening, assessment, testing, and treatment, based upon the accused's ability to pay unless the person is determined by the court to be indigent.
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Indigence

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Other Yes

exemption from payment of fees

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Virginia Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-251.01(A) Education fee - based upon ability to pay
The services agency or program may require the person entering such program or services under the provisions of this section to pay a fee for the education and treatment component,
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or both, based upon the defendant's ability to pay.
Felony Not provided for Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes

Not specified

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Virginia Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-258.1(H) Program costs - indigency
The court shall require the person entering such program under the provisions of this section to pay all or part of the costs of the program, including the costs of
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the screening, evaluation, testing and education, based upon the person's ability to pay unless the person is determined by the court to be indigent.
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Indigence

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Other Yes

exemption from payment of fees

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Virginia Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-271.1(B) Waiver of fee - indigency Upon a positive finding that the defendant is indigent, the court may reduce or waive the fee. All

Indigence

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

waiver of fee

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Wyoming Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-13-421(b),(d) Restitution as condition of parole.

(b) The board shall provide for restitution in the amount determined by the court pursuant to W.S. 7 9 103 unless the board finds the parolee is not reasonably capable

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of making the payments, in which case the board may modify the amount of restitution to be paid, taking into account the factors enumerated in W.S. 7 9 106.

(d) The board may waive the payment of some or all of the restitution as a condition of parole if it finds the payment of some or all of the restitution will work an undue hardship on the parolee or his family. Victims who have requested to receive notification pursuant to W.S. 1 40 204(f) of information authorized to be released pursuant to W.S. 1 40 204(d) shall be given notice and an opportunity to be heard prior to the board making a decision to waive some or all of the restitution under this subsection.

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Parolee is not reasonably capable of making the payments; undue hardship on the parolee or his family

At enforcement of fine or fee Not provided for Administrative decision Yes

Modify the amount of restitution to be paid; waive all or some of restituion as condition of parole.

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Wyoming Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-9-102 Order to pay upon conviction

In addition to any other punishment prescribed by law the court shall, upon conviction for any misdemeanor or felony, order a defendant to pay restitution to each victim as determined

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under W.S. 7 9 103 and 7 9 114 unless the court specifically finds that the defendant has no ability to pay and that no reasonable probability exists that the defendant will have an ability to pay.

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Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing Yes

Restituion not ordered

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Wyoming Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-6-106 Determination of need; reimbursement for services

(a) The determination of whether a person covered by W.S. 7 6 104 is a needy person shall be deferred until his first appearance in court or in a suit

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for payment or reimbursement under W.S. 7 6 108, whichever occurs earlier. Thereafter, the court shall determine, with respect to each proceeding, whether he is a needy person. For purposes of this section, an appeal, probation revocation or proceeding to correct or modify a sentence is a separate proceeding. The determination of need shall be based on a separate application submitted at the time of each proceeding.

(b) In determining whether a person is a needy person and in determining the extent of his inability to pay, and, in the case of an unemancipated minor, the inability to pay of his custodial parent or another person who has a legal obligation of support, the court shall consider the standards set forth in Rule 44(d), Wyoming Rules of Criminal Procedure. Release on bail does not necessarily prevent a person from being determined to be needy. In each case the person, subject to the penalties for perjury, shall certify in writing, or by other record, the material factors relating to his ability to pay as the court prescribes.

(c) In every case in which a person has received services under W.S. 7 6 104, the presiding judge shall determine whether the person or, in the case of an unemancipated minor, his custodial parent or any other person who has a legal obligation of support, is able to provide any funds towards payment of part or all of the cost associated with such services. If the person or, in the case of an unemancipated minor, his custodial parent or any other person who has a legal obligation of support, is not able to provide any funds towards payment of costs, the court shall enter a specific finding on the record. If the court determines the person or, in the case of an unemancipated minor, his custodial parent or any other person who has a legal obligation of support, is able to provide any amount as reimbursement, the court shall order the person or, in the case of an unemancipated minor, his custodial parent or any other person who has a legal obligation of support, to reimburse the state for all or part of the costs of the services provided or shall state on the record the reasons why an order for reimbursement was not entered. Where a person is initially provided with counsel pursuant to W.S. 7 6 105(a), but subsequently retains private counsel, the court may order the person to reimburse the state for the services already provided. All reimbursements under this act shall be made through the clerk of court.

(d) The state public defender shall report in the agency's annual report concerning: (i) The number of cases by court in which an attorney was appointed to represent a person at public expense under this act during the preceding calendar quarter; (ii) For each case in which an attorney was appointed, whether the court ordered reimbursement under this section or, if reimbursement was not ordered, whether the court complied with subsection (c) of this section; (iii) For the guardian ad litem program, the number of cases, the amount of monies expended and the amounts of reimbursements from participating counties.

(e) If the court orders release on bail pending trial or appeal, probation before sentence, suspended sentence or probation, the court shall order the needy person as a condition of bail, sentence or probation to repay the state for expenses and services provided by appointed attorneys pursuant to the state public defender's standard fee schedule if the court determines the defendant has an ability to pay or that a reasonable probability exists that the defendant will have an ability to pay.

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Wyo. R. Crim. P. 44(d): In making a determination of eligibility, the judicial officer shall consider: (1) The probable cost of representation given the number and severity of the offenses

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charged and the factual and legal complexity of the case. (2) The defendant's income from all sources and the defendant's capacity to earn income. (3) The expenses of the defendant's household and whether a spouse or roommate contributes or ought to contribute to those expenses. (4) The defendant's responsibility for the support of others. (5) The defendant's assets whether held individually or with others. (6) The defendant's debts and the periodic payments due on the debts. (7) The defendant's capacity to borrow money. Uncertainty as to a defendant's eligibility for appointed counsel should be resolved in the defendant's favor. An erroneous determination of eligibility may be corrected at any time.

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing Yes

N/A

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Wyoming Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-9-103(c) Determination of amount owed; execution

The court shall order the defendant to pay all or part of the restitution claimed or shall state on the record specific reasons why an order for restitution was not

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entered. If the court determines that the defendant has no ability to pay and that no reasonable probability exists that the defendant will have an ability to pay in the future, the court shall enter specific findings in the record supporting its determination.

All Not provided for Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing Yes Not provided for
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Wyoming Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-11-402(a) Subpoena of witnesses for indigent defendants

(a) Upon application of a defendant and upon a satisfactory showing that the defendant is financially unable to pay the fees of a witness and that the presence of the

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witness is necessary to an adequate defense, the court shall order that a subpoena be issued for service on a named witness and order that all fees and costs incurred be paid as provided by subsection (b) of this section.

(b) If the court orders a subpoena to be issued under this section, the costs incurred and the fees of the witness so subpoenaed shall be paid by the public defender's office.

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

Fees of the witness so subpoenaed shall be paid by the public defender's office

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Wyoming Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-11-505 Payment of costs of prosecution

Payment of the costs of prosecution may be added to and made a part of the sentence in any felony or misdemeanor case if the court determines that the defendant

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has an ability to pay or that a reasonable probability exists that the defendant will have an ability to pay.

All

Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge without hearing Yes

Payment of the costs of prosecution not added to and made a part of the sentence in any felony or misdemeanor case