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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Florida Fla. Stat. §776.085(4)(b) Defense to civil action for damages; party convicted of forcible or attempted forcible felony
The court shall award a reasonable attorney’s fee to be paid to the prevailing party in equal amounts by the losing party and the losing party’s attorney; however, the losing
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party’s attorney is not personally responsible if he or she has acted in good faith, based on the representations of his or her client. If the losing party is incarcerated for the crime or attempted crime and has insufficient assets to cover payment of the costs of the action and the award of fees pursuant to this paragraph, the party shall, as determined by the court, be required to pay by deduction from any payments the prisoner receives while incarcerated.
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Inability to pay: Has insufficient assets to cover payment

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

Payment deduction

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Florida Fla. Stat. §806.13(6)(c) Criminal mischief; penalties; penalty for minor
If a minor commits a delinquent act prohibited under paragraph (a), the parent or legal guardian of the minor is liable along with the minor for payment of the fine.
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The court may decline to order a person to pay a fine under paragraph (a) if the court finds that the person is indigent and does not have the ability to pay the fine or if the court finds that the person does not have the ability to pay the fine whether or not the person is indigent.
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Inability to pay: Indigent

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

Not specified

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Florida Fla. Stat. §812.015(2) Retail and farm theft; transit fare evasion; mandatory fine; alternative punishment; detention and arrest; exemption from liability for false arrest; resisting arrest; penalties
Upon a second or subsequent conviction for petit theft from a merchant, farmer, or transit agency, the offender shall be punished as provided in s. 812.014(3), except that the court
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shall impose a fine of not less than $50 or more than $1,000. However, in lieu of such fine, the court may require the offender to perform public services designated by the court. In no event shall any such offender be required to perform fewer than the number of hours of public service necessary to satisfy the fine assessed by the court, as provided by this subsection, at the minimum wage prevailing in the state at the time of sentencing.
All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

Public service

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Florida Fla. Stat. §316.193(6) Driving under the influence; penalties
For the purposes of this section, any conviction for a violation of s. 327.35; a previous conviction for the violation of former s. 316.1931, former s. 860.01, or former s.
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316.028; or a previous conviction outside this state for driving under the influence, driving while intoxicated, driving with an unlawful blood-alcohol level, driving with an unlawful breath-alcohol level, or any other similar alcohol-related or drug-related traffic offense, is also considered a previous conviction for violation of this section. However, in satisfaction of the fine imposed pursuant to this section, the court may, upon a finding that the defendant is financially unable to pay either all or part of the fine, order that the defendant participate for a specified additional period of time in public service or a community work project in lieu of payment of that portion of the fine which the court determines the defendant is unable to pay. In determining such additional sentence, the court shall consider the amount of the unpaid portion of the fine and the reasonable value of the services to be ordered; however, the court may not compute the reasonable value of services at a rate less than the federal minimum wage at the time of sentencing.
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Inability to pay: Defendant is financially unable to pay either all or part of the fine

At enforcement of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for No

Public service or Community work project

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Florida Fla. Stat. §316.1937(5)(b) Ignition interlock devices, requiring; unlawful acts
Any person convicted of a violation of subsection (6) who does not have a driver license shall, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, pay a fine of
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not less than $250 or more than $500 per each such violation. In the event that the person is unable to pay any such fine, the fine shall become a lien against the motor vehicle used in violation of subsection (6) and payment shall be made pursuant to s. 316.3025(5).
Traffic Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

Property lien

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Florida Fla. Stat. §938.21 Alcohol and drug abuse programs
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary of the laws of this state, the court may assess for alcohol and other drug abuse programs as provided in s. 893.165 any defendant
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who pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or is convicted of, a violation of any provision of chapter 893 or which involves a criminal violation of s. 316.193, s. 856.011, s. 856.015, or chapter 562, chapter 567, or chapter 568, in addition to any fine and other penalty provided by law, a court cost in an amount up to the amount of the fine authorized for the violation. The court is authorized to order a defendant to pay an additional assessment if it finds that the defendant has the ability to pay the fine and the additional assessment and will not be prevented thereby from being rehabilitated or from making restitution.
All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

Not specified

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Florida Fla. Stat. §775.0844(8) White Collar Crime Victim Protection Act
A person convicted of an aggravated white collar crime under this section is liable for all court costs and shall pay restitution to each victim of the crime, regardless of
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whether the victim is named in the information or indictment. As used in this subsection, “victim” means a person directly and proximately harmed as a result of the commission of the offense for which restitution may be ordered, including any person directly harmed by the defendant’s criminal conduct in the course of the commission of the aggravated white collar crime. The court shall hold a hearing to determine the identity of qualifying victims and shall order the defendant to pay restitution based on his or her ability to pay, in accordance with this section and s. 775.089.
Felony Not provided for Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing Yes

Not specified

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Florida Fla. Stat. §806.13(8) Criminal mischief; penalties; penalty for minor
A minor whose driver license or driving privilege is revoked, suspended, or withheld under subsection (7) may elect to reduce the period of revocation, suspension, or withholding by performing community
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service at the rate of 1 day for each hour of community service performed. In addition, if the court determines that due to a family hardship, the minor’s driver license or driving privilege is necessary for employment or medical purposes of the minor or a member of the minor’s family, the court shall order the minor to perform community service and reduce the period of revocation, suspension, or withholding at the rate of 1 day for each hour of community service performed. As used in this subsection, the term “community service” means cleaning graffiti from public property.
Misdemeanor

Inability to pay: due to a family hardship, the minor's driver license or driving privilege is necessary for employment or medical purposes of the minor or a member of the

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minor's family

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Yes

Community service

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Florida Fla. Stat. §925.11(2)(g) Postsentencing DNA testing
If the court orders DNA testing of the physical evidence, the cost of such testing may be assessed against the sentenced defendant unless he or she is indigent. If the
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sentenced defendant is indigent, the state shall bear the cost of the DNA testing ordered by the court.
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Inability to pay: Indigent

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

The state shall bear the cost

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Florida Fla. Stat. §984.225(3) Powers of disposition; placement in a staff-secure shelter
The court shall order the parent, guardian, or legal custodian to cooperate with efforts to reunite the child with the family, participate in counseling, and pay all costs associated with
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the care and counseling provided to the child and family, in accordance with the family’s ability to pay as determined by the court.
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Family's ability to pay

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

Not specified

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Florida Fla. Stat. §984.226(7) Physically secure setting
The court shall order the parent, guardian, or legal custodian to cooperate with efforts to reunite the child with the family, participate in counseling, and pay all costs associated with
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the care and counseling provided to the child and family, in accordance with the family’s ability to pay as determined by the court.
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Family's ability to pay

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

Not specified

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Florida Fla. Stat. §948.09(3) Payment for cost of supervision and rehabilitation
(3) Any failure to pay contribution as required under this section may constitute a ground for the revocation of probation by the court, the revocation of parole or conditional release by
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the Florida Commission on Offender Review, the revocation of control release by the Control Release Authority, or removal from the pretrial intervention program by the state attorney. The Department of Corrections may exempt a person from the payment of all or any part of the contribution if it finds any of the following factors to exist:(a) The offender has diligently attempted, but has been unable, to obtain employment which provides him or her sufficient income to make such payments. (b) The offender is a student in a school, college, university, or course of career training designed to fit the student for gainful employment. Certification of such student status shall be supplied to the Secretary of Corrections by the educational institution in which the offender is enrolled. (c) The offender has an employment handicap, as determined by a physical, psychological, or psychiatric examination acceptable to, or ordered by, the secretary. (d) The offender’s age prevents him or her from obtaining employment. (e) The offender is responsible for the support of dependents, and the payment of such contribution constitutes an undue hardship on the offender. (f) The offender has been transferred outside the state under an interstate compact adopted pursuant to chapter 949. (g) There are other extenuating circumstances, as determined by the secretary.
All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Administrative decision No

Exempt

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Florida Fla. Stat. §948.06(5) Violation of probation or community control; revocation; modification; continuance; failure to pay restitution or cost of supervision
In any hearing in which the failure of a probationer or offender in community control to pay restitution or the cost of supervision as provided in s. 948.09, as directed,
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is established by the state, if the probationer or offender asserts his or her inability to pay restitution or the cost of supervision, it is incumbent upon the probationer or offender to prove by clear and convincing evidence that he or she does not have the present resources available to pay restitution or the cost of supervision despite sufficient bona fide efforts legally to acquire the resources to do so. If the probationer or offender cannot pay restitution or the cost of supervision despite sufficient bona fide efforts, the court shall consider alternate measures of punishment other than imprisonment. Only if alternate measures are not adequate to meet the state’s interests in punishment and deterrence may the court imprison a probationer or offender in community control who has demonstrated sufficient bona fide efforts to pay restitution or the cost of supervision.
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Inability to pay: Does not have the present resources available to pay restitution or the cost of supervision despite sufficient bona fide efforts legally to acquire the resources to do

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so

Not provided for Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Not provided for No

If the probationer or offender cannot pay restitution or the cost of supervision despite sufficient bona fide efforts, the court shall consider alternate measures of punishment other than imprisonment. Only

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if alternate measures are not adequate to meet the state’s interests in punishment and deterrence may the court imprison a probationer or offender in community control who has demonstrated sufficient bona fide efforts to pay restitution or the cost of supervision.

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Florida Fla. Stat. §985.039(3) Cost of supervision; cost of care
(2) The parent of any child who has been placed under the supervision or care of the department shall provide to the department his or her name, address, social security number,
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date of birth, driver license number or identification card number, and sufficient financial information so as to assist the court in determining the parent’s ability to pay any fee associated with the cost of the child’s supervision or care. If the parent refuses to provide the department with the information required by this subsection, the court shall order the parent to provide such information. The failure of the parent to comply with such order of the court constitutes contempt of court, and the court may punish the parent accordingly.(3) At the time of any detention or disposition hearing, the court shall receive the information described in subsection (2), as well as any other verbal or written information offered as to the ability of the parent of a child who is being placed under the supervision or care of the department to pay any fee imposed pursuant to this section and whether the payment of such fee will create a significant financial hardship. The court may apportion the obligation for the fee to each parent in a manner it deems appropriate; however, the total amount of the daily fee may not exceed the amounts specified in this section. Any finding made by the court as to the ability of the parent to pay such fee, including any finding of indigency or significant financial hardship, shall be in writing and shall contain a detailed description of the facts supporting such finding. If the court makes a finding of indigency and significant financial hardship, the court shall waive the fee or reduce it to an amount deemed appropriate. (4) Notwithstanding subsection (3), the court may reduce or waive the fee as to each parent if the court makes a finding on the record that the parent was the victim of the delinquent act or violation of law for which the child has been placed under the supervision or care of the department and that the parent is cooperating or has cooperated with the investigation of the offense.
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Inability to pay: Indigency or significant financial hardship

Not provided for Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Not provided for Yes

Fee waiver or reduction

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Florida Fla. Stat. §27.52(2) Determination of indigent statutus
(2) DETERMINATION BY THE CLERK.—The clerk of the court shall determine whether an applicant seeking appointment of a public defender is indigent based upon the information provided in the application and
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the criteria prescribed in this subsection.(a) An applicant, including an applicant who is a minor or an adult tax-dependent person, is indigent if the applicant’s income is equal to or below 200 percent of the then-current federal poverty guidelines prescribed for the size of the household of the applicant by the United States Department of Health and Human Services or if the person is receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families-Cash Assistance, poverty-related veterans’ benefits, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). 1. There is a presumption that the applicant is not indigent if the applicant owns, or has equity in, any intangible or tangible personal property or real property or the expectancy of an interest in any such property having a net equity value of $2,500 or more, excluding the value of the person’s homestead and one vehicle having a net value not exceeding $5,000. 2. Notwithstanding the information that the applicant provides, the clerk may conduct a review of the property records for the county in which the applicant resides and the motor vehicle title records of the state to identify any property interests of the applicant under this paragraph. The clerk may evaluate and consider the results of the review in making a determination under this subsection. If the review is conducted, the clerk shall maintain the results of the review in a file with the application and provide the file to the court if the applicant seeks review under subsection (4) of the clerk’s determination of indigent status. (b) Based upon its review, the clerk shall make one of the following determinations: 1. The applicant is not indigent. 2. The applicant is indigent.
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Inability to pay: Indigent (An applicant, including an applicant who is a minor or an adult tax-dependent person, is indigent if the applicant’s income is equal to or below 200

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percent of the then-current federal poverty guidelines).

Before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Other No

Supervision fee

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Florida Fla. Stat. §984.11(3) Services to families in need of services
The department shall advise the parents or legal guardian that they are responsible for contributing to the cost of the child or family services and treatment to the extent of
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their ability to pay. The department shall set and charge fees for services and treatment provided to clients. The department may employ a collection agency for the purpose of receiving, collecting, and managing the payment of unpaid and delinquent fees. The collection agency must be registered and in good standing under chapter 559. The department may pay to the collection agency a fee from the amount collected under the claim or may authorize the agency to deduct the fee from the amount collected.
All

To the extent the family's ability to pay

Not provided for Not provided for Administrative decision Yes

Not specified

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Florida Fla. Stat. §775.083(1) Fines If a defendant is unable to pay a fine, the court may defer payment of the fine to a date certain. All Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

Delay payment

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Florida Fla. Stat. §775.0835(1) Fines; surcharges; Crimes Compensation Trust Fund
When any person pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or is convicted of, any felony or misdemeanor under the laws of this state which resulted in the injury or death
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of another person, the court may, if it finds that the defendant has the present ability to pay the fine and finds that the impact of the fine upon the defendant’s dependents will not cause such dependents to be dependent on public welfare, in addition to any other penalty, order the defendant to pay a fine, commensurate with the offense committed and with the probable impact upon the victim, but not to exceed $10,000. The fine shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit in the Crimes Compensation Trust Fund.
All

Defendant has the present ability to pay the fine and the impact of the fine upon the defendant’s dependents will not cause such dependents to be dependent on public welfare

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for No

Not specified

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Florida Fla. Stat. §922.04 Discharge of prisoner unable to pay fine
When the court determines on the written application of a prisoner that he or she has been imprisoned for 60 days solely for failure to pay a fine or costs
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which total not more than $300 and that the prisoner is indigent and unable to pay the fine or costs, the court shall order the prisoner discharged from custody.
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Inability to pay: Indigent and unable to pay cost not more than $300

Not provided for Not provided for Other Yes

Discharge or Release from custody

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Florida Fla. Stat. §924.17 Costs when appellant is indigent If the court determines that the defendant is indigent and unable to pay costs, the appeal shall be a supersedeas without payment of costs. All

Inability to pay: Indigent and unable to pay cost

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Yes

The appeal will be a supersedeas without payment of costs