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.
374 Results
State | Statute | Description/Statute Name | Statutory language | Level of offense | Definition of ability to pay | Timeline | Burden of proof | Method of determination | Mandatory | Remedies if unable to pay | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Add to Dashboard
|
Connecticut | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-56i(g) | Pretrial drug education and community service program. |
No person may be excluded from any such program for inability to pay such fee or cost, provided (1) such person files with the court an affidavit of indigency or + See moreinability to pay, (2) such indigency or inability to pay is confirmed by the Court Support Services Division, and (3) the court enters a finding thereof. The court may waive all or any portion of such fee depending on such persons ability to pay. If the court finds that a person is indigent or unable to pay for a substance abuse treatment program, the costs of such program shall be paid from the pretrial account established under section 54-56k.
|
All |
indigency |
Before imposition of fine or fee | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Not provided for | Yes |
costs of such program shall be paid from the pretrial account |
Add to Dashboard
|
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 + See morewhether 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 |
Add to Dashboard
|
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 + See morethe 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.
|
All |
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 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 |
Add to Dashboard
|
Kansas | Kan. Stat. Ann. ? 22-4529 | Entitlement of defendant to counsel; application fee; disposition of moneys |
Any defendant entitled to counsel pursuant to Kan. Stat. Ann. ? 22-4503, and amendments thereto, shall pay an application fee in the amount of $100 to the clerk of the + See moredistrict court. Any defendant entitled to counsel in a proceeding for a violation of a condition of release pursuant to Kan. Stat. Ann. ? 22-3716, and amendments thereto, shall pay an application fee of $100 to the clerk of the district court. Such fee shall be paid regardless of whether the defendant has paid application fees pursuant to this section in any other proceeding. If it appears to the satisfaction of the court that payment of the application fee will impose manifest hardship on the defendant, the court may waive payment of all or part of the application fee. All moneys received pursuant to this section shall be remitted to the state treasurer in accordance with the provisions of Kan. Stat. Ann. ? 75-4215, and amendments thereto. Upon receipt of each such remittance, the state treasurer shall deposit the entire amount in the state treasury to the credit of the indigents' defense services fund. If the defendant is acquitted or the case is dismissed, any application fee paid pursuant to this section shall be remitted to the defendant.
|
All |
"manifest hardship" |
Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | No | Not provided for |
Add to Dashboard
|
Kansas | Kan. Stat. Ann. ? 60-2001(b) | Docket fee; authorized only by legislative enactment; poverty affidavit, court review; additional costs; certain sheriff's charges prohibited |
(b)?Poverty affidavit in lieu of docket fee. (1) Effect. In any case where a plaintiff by reason of poverty is unable to pay a docket fee, and an affidavit so + See morestating is filed, no fee will be required. An inmate in the custody of the secretary of corrections may file a poverty affidavit only if the inmate attaches a statement disclosing the average account balance, or the total deposits, whichever is less, in the inmate's trust fund for each month in: (A) The six-month period preceding the filing of the action; or (B) the current period of incarceration, whichever is shorter. Such statement shall be certified by the secretary. On receipt of the affidavit and attached statement, the court shall determine the initial fee to be assessed for filing the action and in no event shall the court require an inmate to pay less than $3. The secretary of corrections is hereby authorized to disburse money from the inmate's account to pay the costs as determined by the court. If the inmate has a zero balance in such inmate's account, the secretary shall debit such account in the amount of $3 per filing fee as established by the court until money is credited to the account to pay such docket fee. Any initial filing fees assessed pursuant to this subsection shall not prevent the court, pursuant to subsection (d), from taxing that individual for the remainder of the amount required under subsection (a) or this subsection.(2)?Form of affidavit. The affidavit provided for in this subsection shall set forth a factual basis upon which the plaintiff alleges by reason of poverty an inability to pay a docket fee, including, but not limited to, the source and amount of the plaintiff's weekly income. Such affidavit shall be signed and sworn to by the plaintiff under oath, before one who has authority to administer the oath, under penalty of perjury, Kan. Stat. Ann. ? 2015 Supp. 21-5903, and amendments thereto. The form of the affidavit shall be deemed sufficient if in substantial compliance with the form set forth by the judicial council.
(3)?Court review; grounds for dismissal; service of process. The court shall review any petition authorized for filing under this subsection. Upon such review, if the court finds that the plaintiff's allegation of poverty is untrue, the court shall direct the plaintiff to pay the docket fee or dismiss the petition without prejudice. Notwithstanding Kan. Stat. Ann. ? 60-301, and amendments thereto, service of process shall not issue unless the court grants leave following its review.
|
All | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
lower f ee |
Add to Dashboard
|
Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 45-6-101(2) | Criminal Mischief |
A person convicted of criminal mischief must be ordered to make restitution in an amount and manner to be set by the court. The court shall determine the manner and + See moreamount of restitution after full consideration of the convicted person's ability to pay the restitution.
|
All | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | No |
Determine amount of restitution accordingly. |
Add to Dashboard
|
Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 45-6-101(2) | Criminal Mischief |
Upon good cause shown by the convicted person, the court may modify any previous order specifying the amount and manner of restitution. Full payment of the amount of restitution ordered + See moremust be made prior to the release of state jurisdiction over the person convicted
|
All | Not provided for | At defendant's request at enforcement | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Not provided for | No |
Modify previous order specifying the amount and manner of restitution. |
Add to Dashboard
|
Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-206(5) | Partner or Family Member Assault -- Penalty |
In addition to any sentence imposed under subsections (3) and (4), after determining the financial resources and future ability of the offender to pay restitution as provided for in 46-18-242, + See morethe court shall require the offender, if able, to pay the victim's reasonable actual medical, housing, wage loss, and counseling costs.
|
Felony | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
No payment of fee |
Add to Dashboard
|
Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-206(6) | Partner or Family Member Assault -- Penalty |
In addition to the requirements of subsection (5), if financially able, the offender must be ordered to pay for the costs of the offender's probation, if probation is ordered by + See morethe court.
|
Felony | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
No payment of fee |
Add to Dashboard
|
Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-503(5) | Sexual intercourse without consent |
In addition to any sentence imposed under subsection (2) or (3), after determining the financial resources and future ability of the offender to pay restitution as required by 46-18-242, the + See morecourt shall require the offender, if able, to pay the victim's reasonable medical and counseling costs that result from the offense. The amount, method, and time of payment must be determined in the same manner as provided for in 46-18-244.
|
Felony | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
Lower restitution amounts or alternative forms of restitution may be available |
Add to Dashboard
|
Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-507(6) | Incest |
In addition to any sentence imposed under subsection (3), (4), or (5), after determining the financial resources and future ability of the offender to pay restitution as required by 46-18-242, + See morethe court shall require the offender, if able, to pay the victim's reasonable costs of counseling that result from the offense. The amount, method, and time of payment must be determined in the same manner as provided for in 46-18-244.
|
Felony | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
Lower restitution amounts or alternative forms of restitution may be available |
Add to Dashboard
|
Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-621(3) | Nonsupport |
If a defense to the charge of nonsupport is inability to pay, the person's inability must be the result of circumstances over which the person had no control. In determining + See moreability to pay, after an allowance for the person's minimal subsistence needs, the support of a spouse, child, or other dependent has priority over any other obligations of the person.
|
Misdemeanor, Felony | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Determined by judge after hearing | Yes |
This is a defense in a nonpayment case |
Add to Dashboard
|
Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-621(13) | Nonsupport |
The court may order that a term of imprisonment imposed under this section be served in another facility made available by the county and approved by the sentencing court. The + See moreoffender, if financially able, shall bear the expense of the imprisonment.
|
Felony | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
No payment of fee |
Add to Dashboard
|
Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-627(4) | Ritual abuse of minor--exceptions--penalty |
In addition to any sentence imposed under subsection (3), after determining pursuant to 46-18-242 the financial resources and future ability of the offender to pay restitution, the court shall require + See morethe offender, if able, to pay the victim's reasonable costs of counseling that result from the offense. The amount, method, and time of payment must be determined in the same manner as provided for in 46-18-244.
|
Felony | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
Lower restitution amounts or alternative forms of restitution may be available |
Add to Dashboard
|
Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 45-6-101(2) | Criminal Mischief |
A person convicted of criminal mischief must be ordered to make restitution in an amount and manner to be set by the court. The court shall determine the manner and + See moreamount of restitution after full consideration of the convicted person's ability to pay the restitution. Upon good cause shown by the convicted person, the court may modify any previous order specifying the amount and manner of restitution. Full payment of the amount of restitution ordered must be made prior to the release of state jurisdiction over the person convicted.
|
Misdemeanor | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Determined by judge after hearing | Yes |
Determine amount of restitution accordingly. |
Add to Dashboard
|
Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 45-9-102(5)(c)(ii) | Criminal possession of dangerous drugs |
The court shall, as conditions of probation pursuant to subsection (5)(a), order: (ii) payment of the costs of imprisonment, probation, and any methamphetamine treatment by the person if the person + See moreis financially able to pay those costs
|
Felony | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
Waive or reduce fee |
Add to Dashboard
|
Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 46-1-1112(2) | Funding [of drug treatment courts] |
A drug offender shall pay the total cost or a reasonable portion of the cost to participate. The cost paid by a drug offender may not exceed $300 a month. + See moreThe costs assessed must be compensatory and not punitive in nature and must take into account the drug offender's ability to pay. Upon a showing of indigency, the drug treatment court may reduce or waive costs under this subsection (2).
|
Misdemeanor |
Indigency |
Before imposition of fine or fee | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Determined by judge after hearing | Yes |
Waive or reduce fee |
Add to Dashboard
|
Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 46-1-1212(2) | Funding [of mental health treatment courts] |
A participant shall pay the total cost or a reasonable portion of the cost to participate. The cost paid by a participant may not exceed $300 a month. The costs + See moreassessed must be compensatory and not punitive in nature and must take into account the participant's ability to pay. Upon a showing of indigency, the mental health treatment court may reduce or waive costs under this subsection.
|
Misdemeanor |
Indigency |
Before imposition of fine or fee | Burden on defendant to show inability to pay | Determined by judge after hearing | Yes |
Waive or reduce fee |
Add to Dashboard
|
Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 46-8-113 | Payment by defendant for assigned counsel--costs to be filed with court |
(3) In any proceeding for the determination of whether a defendant is or will be able to pay the costs of counsel, the court shall question the defendant as to + See morethe defendant's ability to pay those costs and shall inform the defendant that purposely false or misleading statements by the defendant may result in criminal charges against the defendant.
(4) The court may not sentence a defendant to pay the costs for assigned counsel unless the defendant is or will be able to pay the costs imposed by subsection (1). The court may find that the defendant is able to pay only a portion of the costs assessed. In determining the amount and method of payment of costs, the court shall take into account the financial resources of the defendant and the nature of the burden that payment of costs will impose.
(5) A defendant who has been sentenced to pay costs may at any time petition the court that sentenced the defendant for remission of the payment of costs or of any unpaid portion of the costs. If it appears to the satisfaction of the court that payment of the amount due will impose manifest hardship on the defendant or the defendant's immediate family, the court may remit all or part of the amount due in costs or modify the method of payment.
|
Misdemeanor | Not provided for | Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Determined by judge after hearing | Yes |
Waive or reduce fee |
Add to Dashboard
|
Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 46-18-236(2) | Imposition of charge upon conviction or forfeiture--administration |
If a convicting court determines under 46-18-231 and 46-18-232 that the person is not able to pay the fine and costs or that the person is unable to pay within + See morea reasonable time, the court shall waive payment of the charge imposed by this section.
|
All |
As determined under Mont. Code Ann. § 46-18-231 and Mont. Code Ann. § 46-18-232 |
Before imposition of fine or fee | Not provided for | Not provided for | Yes |
Waive surcharge |
The Criminal Justice Debt Reform Builder is a project of the National Criminal Justice Debt Initiative of the Criminal Justice Policy Program at Harvard Law School in collaboration with the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University and with user experience design by metaLAB (at) Harvard.
For more information, please visit cjpp.law.harvard.edu.