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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Iowa Iowa Code § 910.7(1)-(2) Petition for hearing

1. At any time during the period of probation, parole, or incarceration, the offender or the office or individual who prepared the offender’s restitution plan may petition the court on

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any matter related to the plan of restitution or restitution plan of payment and the court shall grant a hearing if on the face of the petition it appears that a hearing is warranted.

2. After a petition has been filed, the court, at any time prior to the expiration of the offender’s sentence, provided the required notice has been given pursuant to subsection 3, may modify the plan of restitution or the restitution plan of payment, or both, and may extend the period of time for the completion of restitution.

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N/A

Not provided for Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing No

Modification of the restitution plan or payment plan

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Iowa Iowa Code § 909.7 Ability to pay fine presumed.

1. A defendant is presumed to be able to pay a fine. However, if the defendant proves to the satisfaction of the court that the defendant cannot pay the fine, the

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defendant shall not be sentenced to confinement for the failure to pay the fine.

2. A defendant who proves that the defendant cannot pay the fine may, at the discretion of the court, be ordered to perform community service pursuant to section 909.3A.

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Not provided for

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

Community service instead of a fine (additionally, not being imprisoned for failure to pay)

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Iowa Iowa Code § 910.2(2)(a) Restitution or community service

When the offender is not reasonably able to pay all or a part of the crime victim compensation program reimbursement, public agency restitution, court costs including correctional fees approved pursuant

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to section 356.7, court-appointed attorney fees ordered pursuant to section 815.9, including the expense of a public defender, contribution to a local anticrime organization, or medical assistance program restitution, the court may require the offender in lieu of that portion of the crime victim compensation program reimbursement, public agency restitution, court costs including correctional fees approved pursuant to section 356.7, court-appointed attorney fees ordered pursuant to section 815.9, including the expense of a public defender, contribution to a local anticrime organization, or medical assistance program restitution for which the offender is not reasonably able to pay, to perform a needed public service for a governmental agency or for a private nonprofit agency which provides a service to the youth, elderly, or poor of the community.

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

Perform a needed public service for a governmental agency or for a private nonprofit agency which provides a service to the youth, elderly, or poor of the community.

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Iowa Iowa Code § 692A.110(1) Registration fees and civil penalty for offenders

 

A sex offender shall pay an annual fee in the amount of twenty-five dollars to the sheriff of the county of principal residence, beginning with the first required in-person appearance

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at the sheriff’s office after July 1, 2009. If the sex offender has more than one principal residence in this state, the offender shall pay the annual fee in the county where the offender is first required to appear in person after July 1, 2009. The sheriff shall accept the registration. If, at the time of registration, the sex offender is unable to pay the fee, the sheriff may allow the offender time to pay the fee, permit the payment of the fee in installments, or may waive payment of the fee.

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Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for No

Waive payment, allow for payment in installments, or give more time to pay.

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Iowa Iowa Code § 321J.2(3)(c)(2) Operating while under the influence of alcohol or a drug or while having an alcohol concentration of .08 or more (OWI)

As an alternative to a portion or all of the fine, the court may order the person to perform unpaid community service. However, the court shall not order the person

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to perform unpaid community service in lieu of a civil penalty or victim restitution. Surcharges and fees shall also be assessed pursuant to chapter 911.

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N/A

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for No

Community service

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Iowa Iowa Code § 910.4(2)(d),(3) Condition of probation--payment plan

2. When the offender is committed to a county jail, or to an alternate facility, the office or individual charged with supervision of the offender shall prepare a restitution plan of

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payment taking into consideration the offender’s income, physical and mental health, age, education, employment and family circumstances. d. When there is a significant change in the offender’s income or circumstances, the office or individual which has supervision of the plan of payment shall submit a modified restitution plan of payment to the court.

3. a. When there is a transfer of supervision from one office or individual charged with supervision of the offender to another, the sending office or individual shall forward to the receiving office or individual all necessary information regarding the balance owed against the original amount of restitution ordered and the balance of public service required. b. When the offender’s circumstances and income have significantly changed, the receiving office or individual shall submit a new plan of payment to the sentencing court for approval or modification based on the considerations enumerated in this section.

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Significant change in the defendant's circumstances or income.

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Yes

Modified payment plan

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Iowa Iowa Code § 905.14(3) Fees for probation and parole

The department of corrections may adopt rules for the administration of this section. If adopted, the rules shall include a provision for waiving the collection of fees for persons determined

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to be unable to pay.

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Not provided for

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

Waiving the fee at enforcement.

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Iowa Iowa Code § 815.9(6) Indigency determined — penalty

If the person receiving legal assistance is acquitted in a criminal case or is a party in a case other than a criminal case, the court shall order the payment

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of all or a portion of the total costs and fees incurred for legal assistance, to the extent the person is reasonably able to pay, after an inquiry which includes notice and reasonable opportunity to be heard.

All

"reasonably able to pay"

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

Not provided for

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Iowa Iowa Code § 815.9(1) Indigency determined — penalty

1. For purposes of this chapter, chapters 13B, 229A, 232, 665, 812, 814, and 822, and section 811.1A, and the rules of criminal procedure, a person is indigent if the person is

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entitled to an attorney appointed by the court as follows:

a. A person is entitled to an attorney appointed by the court to represent the person if the person has an income level at or below one hundred twenty-five percent of the United States poverty level as defined by the most recently revised poverty income guidelines published by the United States department of health and human services, unless the court determines that the person is able to pay for the cost of an attorney to represent the person on the pending case. In making the determination of a person’s ability to pay for the cost of an attorney, the court shall consider not only the person’s income, but also the availability of any assets subject to execution, including but not limited to cash, stocks, bonds, and any other property which may be applied to the satisfaction of judgments, and the seriousness of the charge or nature of the case.

b. A person with an income level greater than one hundred twenty-five percent, but at or below two hundred percent, of the most recently revised poverty income guidelines published by the United States department of health and human services shall not be entitled to an attorney appointed by the court, unless the court makes a written finding that not appointing counsel on the pending case would cause the person substantial hardship. In determining whether substantial hardship would result, the court shall consider not only the person’s income, but also the availability of any assets subject to execution, including but not limited to cash, stocks, bonds, and any other property which may be applied to the satisfaction of judgments, and the seriousness of the charge or nature of the case.

c. A person with an income level greater than two hundred percent of the most recently revised poverty income guidelines published by the United States department of health and human services shall not be entitled to an attorney appointed by the court, unless the person is charged with a felony and the court makes a written finding that not appointing counsel would cause the person substantial hardship. In determining whether substantial hardship would result, the court shall consider not only the person’s income, but also the availability of any assets subject to execution, including but not limited to cash, stocks, bonds, and any other property which may be applied to the satisfaction of judgments, and the seriousness of the charge or nature of the case.

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Indigent - person has an income level at or below one hundred twenty-five percent of the United States poverty level as defined by the most recently revised poverty income guidelines published

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by the United States department of health and human services.

Ability to pay - the court shall consider not only the person’s income, but also the availability of any assets subject to execution, including but not limited to cash, stocks, bonds, and any other property which may be applied to the satisfaction of judgments, and the seriousness of the charge or nature of the case.

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

Entitled to a court-appointed attorney.

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Iowa Iowa Code § 815.9(5) Indigency determined — penalty

If the person receiving legal assistance is convicted in a criminal case, the total costs and fees incurred for legal assistance shall be ordered paid when the reports submitted pursuant

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to subsection 4 are received by the court, and the court shall order the payment of such amounts as restitution, to the extent to which the person is reasonably able to pay, or order the performance of community service in lieu of such payments, in accordance with chapter 910.

All

"reasonably able to pay"

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

Community service in lieu of payment

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Iowa Iowa Code § 815.14 Fee for public defender

The expense of the public defender required to be reimbursed is subject to a determination of the extent to which the person is reasonably able to pay, as provided for

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in section 815.9 and chapter 910.

All

Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for No

Not provided for

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Iowa Iowa Code § 822.5 Postconviction Procedure: Payment of costs

If the applicant is unable to pay court costs and stenographic and printing expenses, these costs and expenses shall be made available to the applicant in the trial court, and

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on review. Unless the applicant is confined in a state institution and is seeking relief under section 822.2, subsection 1, paragraphs “e” and “f”, the costs and expenses of legal representation shall also be made available to the applicant in the preparation of the application, in the trial court, and on review if the applicant is unable to pay. However, nothing in this section shall be interpreted to require payment of expenses of legal representation, including stenographic, printing, or other legal services or consultation, when the applicant is self-represented or is utilizing the services of an inmate.

All

Not provided for

Not provided for Not provided for Not provided for Yes

Non-payment

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Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2284 Probation or parole; revocation; conditions
If the defendant is placed on probation or paroled, the court may revoke probation, and the Board of Parole may revoke parole if the defendant fails to comply with the
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restitution order. In determining whether to revoke probation or parole, the court or Board of Parole shall consider the defendant's earning ability and financial resources, the willfulness of the defendant's failure to pay, and any special circumstances affecting the defendant's ability to pay. Probation or parole may not be revoked unless noncompliance with the restitution order is attributable to an intentional refusal to obey the order or a failure to make a good faith effort to comply with the order.
All Not provided for At enforcement of fine or fee Not provided for Not provided for Yes

N/A

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Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2206(1)(a),(2) Fine and costs; commitment until paid; installments; deduction from bond; suspension or revocation of motor vehicle operator's license

(1) (a) In all cases in which courts or magistrates have now or may hereafter have the power to punish offenses, either in whole or in part, by requiring the offender

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to pay fines or costs, or both, such courts or magistrates may make it a part of the sentence that the party stand committed and be imprisoned in the jail of the proper county until the fines or costs are paid or secured to be paid or the offender is otherwise discharged according to law if the court or magistrate determines that the offender has the financial ability to pay such fines or costs. The court or magistrate may make such determination at the sentencing hearing or at a separate hearing prior to sentencing. A separate hearing shall not be required. In making such determination, the court or magistrate may consider the information or evidence adduced in an earlier proceeding pursuant to section 29-3902, 29-3903, 29-3906, or 29-3916. At any such hearing, the offender shall have the opportunity to present information as to his or her income, assets, debts, or other matters affecting his or her financial ability to pay. Following such hearing and prior to imposing sentence, the court or magistrate shall determine the offender’s financial ability to pay the fines or costs, including his or her financial ability to pay in installments under subsection (2) of this section.

(2) If the court or magistrate determines, pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, that an offender is financially unable to pay such fines or costs in one lump sum but is financially capable of paying in installments, the court or magistrate shall make arrangements suitable to the court or magistrate and to the offender by which the offender may pay in installments. The court or magistrate shall enter an order specifying the terms of such arrangements and the dates on which payments are to be made. 

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Not provided for

Before imposition of fine or fee Burden on defendant to show inability to pay Determined by judge after hearing Yes

Payment in installments.

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Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2412(2) Fine and costs; nonpayment; commutation upon confinement; credit; amount.

(2) Whenever it is made satisfactorily to appear to the district court, or to the county judge of the proper county, after all legal means have been exhausted, that any person

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who is confined in jail for any fines or costs of prosecution for any criminal offense has no estate with which to pay such fines or costs, it shall be the duty of such court or judge, on his or her own motion or upon the motion of the person so confined, to discharge such person from further imprisonment for such fines or costs, which discharge shall operate as a complete release of such fines or costs.

All

No estate with which to pay such fines or costs

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

If imprisoned for nonpayment of fines and costs, then discharged from prison.

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Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2412(1)(a),(c) Fine and costs; nonpayment; commutation upon confinement; credit; amount

(1) (a) Any person arrested and brought into custody on a warrant for failure to pay fines or costs, for failure to appear before a court or magistrate on the due

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date of such fines or costs, or for failure to comply with the terms of an order pursuant to sections 29-2206 and 29-2206.01, shall be entitled to a hearing on the first regularly scheduled court date following the date of arrest. The purpose of such hearing shall be to determine the person’s financial ability to pay such fines or costs. At the hearing, the person shall have the opportunity to present information as to his or her income, assets, debts, or other matters affecting his or her financial ability to pay. Following the hearing, the court or magistrate shall determine the person’s ability to pay the fines or costs, including his or her financial ability to pay by installment payments as described in section 29-2206;

(c) If the court or magistrate determines that the person is financially unable to pay the fines or costs, the court or magistrate: (i) Shall either: (A) Enter an order pursuant to subdivision (1)(d) of this section discharging the person of such fines or costs; or (B) If the person is subject to an order to pay installments pursuant to section 29-2206, the court or magistrate shall either enter an order pursuant to subdivision (1)(d) of this section discharging the person of such obligation or make any necessary modifications to the order specifying the terms of the installment payments as justice may require and that will enable the person to pay the fines or costs; and (ii) May order the person to complete community service for a specified number of hours pursuant to sections 29-2277 to 29-2279;

 

All Not provided for At defendant's request at enforcement Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing Yes

Discharge payment of fines; installment payments; community service in lieu of fines.

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Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2262.06(4) Fees; waiver; when; failure to pay; effect

The court shall waive payment of the monthly probation programming fees in whole or in part if after a hearing a determination is made that such payment would constitute an

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undue hardship on the offender due to limited income, employment or school status, or physical or mental handicap. Such waiver shall be in effect only during the period of time that the probationer or participant in a non-probation-based program or service is unable to pay his or her monthly probation programming fee.

All

Undue hardship due to limited income, employment or school status, or physical or mental hardship

At enforcement of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing No

Waive payment of the monthly probation programming fees

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Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2281 Restitution; determination of amount; manner of payment

To determine the amount of restitution, the court may hold a hearing at the time of sentencing. The amount of restitution shall be based on the actual damages sustained by

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the victim and shall be supported by evidence which shall become a part of the court record. The court shall consider the defendant’s earning ability, employment status, financial resources, and family or other legal obligations and shall balance such considerations against the obligation to the victim. In considering the earning ability of a defendant who is sentenced to imprisonment, the court may receive evidence of money anticipated to be earned by the defendant during incarceration. A person may not be granted or denied probation or parole either solely or primarily due to his or her financial resources or ability or inability to pay restitution. The court may order that restitution be made immediately, in specified installments, or within a specified period of time not to exceed five years after the date of judgment or defendant’s final release date from imprisonment, whichever is later

All

Defendant's earning ability, employment status, financial resources, and family or other legal obligations and shall balance such considerations against the obligation to the victim. In considering the earning ability of

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a defendant who is sentenced to imprisonment, the court may receive evidence of money anticipated to be earned by the defendant during incarceration.

At enforcement of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing Yes

N/A

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Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2262(2)(m) Probation; conditions

(2) The court may, as a condition of a sentence of probation, require the offender:
(m) To pay for tests to determine the presence of drugs or alcohol, psychological evaluations,

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offender assessment screens, and rehabilitative services required in the identification, evaluation, and treatment of offenders if such offender has the financial ability to pay for such services;

All

Not provided for

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

N/A

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Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2208(1)-(2),(4) Fines or costs; person financially unable to pay; hearing; determination; court or magistrate; powers; order; operate as release

(1) A person who has been ordered to pay fines or costs and who has not been arrested or brought into custody as described in subdivision (1)(a) of section 29-2412

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but who believes himself or herself to be financially unable to pay such fines or costs may request a hearing to determine such person's financial ability to pay such fines or costs. The hearing shall be scheduled on the first regularly scheduled court date following the date of the request. Pending the hearing, the person shall not be arrested or brought into custody for failure to pay such fines or costs or failure to appear before a court or magistrate on the due date of such fines or costs.
(2) At the hearing, the person shall have the opportunity to present information as to his or her income, assets, debts, or other matters affecting his or her financial ability to pay. Following the hearing, the court or magistrate shall determine the person's financial ability to pay the fines or costs, including his or her financial ability to pay in installments as described in section 29-2206.
(4) If the court or magistrate determines that the person is financially unable to pay the fines or costs, the court or magistrate:
(a) Shall either:
(i) Enter an order pursuant to subsection (5) of this section discharging the person of such fines or costs; or
(ii) If the person is subject to an order to pay installments pursuant to section 29-2206, the court or magistrate shall either enter an order pursuant to subsection (5) of this section discharging the person of such obligation or make any necessary modifications to the order specifying the terms of the installment payments as justice may require and that will enable the person to pay the fines or costs; and
(b) May order the person to complete community service for a specified number of hours pursuant to sections 29-2277 to 29-2279.

All

Not provided for

At enforcement of fine or fee Not provided for Determined by judge after hearing No

Waive fines or costs; discharge person of installment order to pay fines or costs; make any necessary modifications to the order specifying the terms of the installment payments as justice may

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require and that will enable the person to pay the fines or costs; order the person to complete community service.