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Below are the poverty penalties and poverty traps that meet your search criteria. Many include a See related provisions prompt which searches our database for laws that may pertain to your result.
88 Results
State | Statute | Description/Statute Name | Statutory language | Type of poverty penalty or poverty trap | Level of offense | Mandatory | |
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Washington DC | DC ST § 11-741 | Contempt powers (DC Court of Appeals) |
(a) Subject to the limitation described in subsection (b), and in addition to the powers conferred by section 402 of title 18, United States Code, the District of Columbia Court + See moreof Appeals, or a judge thereof, may punish for disobedience of an order or for contempt committed in the presence of the court....
(3)(A) An individual imprisoned for 6 consecutive months for civil contempt for disobedience of an order in a proceeding described in paragraph (1) who continues to disobey such order may be prosecuted for criminal contempt for disobedience of such order at any time before the expiration of the 12-month period that begins on the first day of such individual's imprisonment, except that an individual so imprisoned as of the date of the enactment of this subsection may be prosecuted under this subsection at any time during the 90-day period that begins on the date of the enactment of this subsection.
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Incarceration | All | No |
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Washington DC | DC ST § 11-944 | Contempt power (Superior Court of DC) |
(a) Subject to the limitation described in subsection (b), and in addition to the powers conferred by section 402 of title 18, United States Code, the Superior Court, or a + See morejudge thereof, may punish for disobedience of an order or for contempt committed in the presence of the court....
(3)(A) An individual imprisoned for 6 consecutive months for civil contempt for disobedience of an order in a proceeding described in paragraph (1) who continues to disobey such order may be prosecuted for criminal contempt for disobedience of such order at any time before the expiration of the 12-month period that begins on the first day of such individual's imprisonment, except that an individual so imprisoned as of the date of the enactment of this subsection may be prosecuted under this subsection at any time during the 90-day period that begins on the date of the enactment of this subsection.
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Incarceration | All | No |
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Pennsylvania | 42 Pa. Stat. Ann. § 9730(b)(2) | Failure to pay court costs, restitution and fines |
(b) Procedures regarding default.--(1) If a defendant defaults in the payment of a fine, court costs or restitution after imposition of sentence, the issuing authority or a senior judge or + See moresenior magisterial district judge appointed by the president judge for the purposes of this section may conduct a hearing to determine whether the defendant is financially able to pay.
(2) If the issuing authority, senior judge or senior magisterial district judge determines that the defendant is financially able to pay the fine or costs, the issuing authority, senior judge or senior magisterial district judge may turn the delinquent account over to a private collection agency or impose imprisonment for nonpayment, as provided by law.
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Incarceration | All | No |
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New Jersey | N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:46-2 | Consequences of Nonpayment |
If the court finds that the person defaulted on payment of a court-imposed financial obligation, restitution, or child support or other support or maintenance ordered by a court without good cause and finds + See morethat the default was willful, the court may, in addition to the action required by paragraph (1) of this subsection a., impose a term of imprisonment or participation in a labor assistance program or enforced community service to achieve the objective of the court-imposed financial obligation, restitution, or child support or other support or maintenance ordered by a court. These options shall not reduce the amount owed by the person in default. The term of imprisonment or enforced community service or participation in a labor assistance program in such case shall be specified in the order of commitment. It need not be equated with any particular dollar amount but, in the case of a fine it shall not exceed one day for each $50 of the fine nor shall it exceed a period of 90 consecutive days. In no case shall the total period of imprisonment in the case of a disorderly persons offense for both the sentence of imprisonment and for failure to pay a fine exceed six months.
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Incarceration | All | No |
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Virginia | Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-358(B) | Incarceration for Default |
A. When an individual obligated to pay a fine, costs, forfeiture, restitution or penalty defaults in the payment or any installment payment, the court upon the motion of the Commonwealth + See morein the case of a conviction of a violation of a state law, or attorney for a locality or for the Commonwealth in the event of a conviction of a violation of a local law or ordinance, or upon its own motion, may require him to show cause why he should not be confined in jail or fined for nonpayment. A show cause proceeding shall not be required prior to issuance of a capias if an order to appear on a date certain in the event of nonpayment was issued pursuant to subsection A of § 19.2-354 and the defendant failed to appear. 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 § 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
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Incarceration | All | No |
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Nevada | Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 176.064 (3)(c) | Collection fee for unpaid administrative assessment, fine, fee or restitution; use of collection agency; report to credit agencies; civil judgment; attachment or garnishment; suspension of driver's license; imprisonment |
3. The court may, on its own motion or at the request of a state or local entity that is responsible for collecting the delinquent fine, administrative assessment, fee or restitution, + See moretake any or all of the following actions, in the following order of priority if practicable: . . .
(c) Order the suspension of the driver’s license of the defendant. If the defendant does not possess a driver’s license, the court may prohibit the defendant from applying for a driver’s license for a specified period. If the defendant is already the subject of a court order suspending or delaying the issuance of the defendant’s driver’s license, the court may order the additional suspension or delay, as appropriate, to apply consecutively with the previous order. At the time the court issues an order suspending the driver’s license of a defendant pursuant to this paragraph, the court shall require the defendant to surrender to the court all driver’s licenses then held by the defendant. The court shall, within 5 days after issuing the order, forward to the Department of Motor Vehicles the licenses, together with a copy of the order. At the time the court issues an order pursuant to this paragraph delaying the ability of a defendant to apply for a driver’s license, the court shall, within 5 days after issuing the order, forward to the Department of Motor Vehicles a copy of the order. The Department of Motor Vehicles shall report a suspension pursuant to this paragraph to an insurance company or its agent inquiring about the defendant’s driving record, but such a suspension must not be considered for the purpose of rating or underwriting.
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Driver's license suspension/impoundment | All | No |
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Nevada | Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 176.064 (3)(d) | Collection fee for unpaid administrative assessment, fine, fee or restitution; use of collection agency; report to credit agencies; civil judgment; attachment or garnishment; suspension of driver's license; imprisonment |
3. The court may, on its own motion or at the request of a state or local entity that is responsible for collecting the delinquent fine, administrative assessment, fee or restitution, + See moretake any or all of the following actions, in the following order of priority if practicable: . . .
(d) For a delinquent fine or administrative assessment, order the confinement of the person in the appropriate prison, jail or detention facility, as provided in NRS 176.065 and 176.075.
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Incarceration | All | No |
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Louisiana | CCRP 885.1 | Suspension of driving privileges |
A. When a fine is levied against a person convicted of any criminal offense, including any violation of the Louisiana Highway Regulatory Act or any municipal or parish ordinance regulating + See moretraffic in any municipality or in any parish and the defendant is granted an extension of time to pay the fine, the judge of the court having jurisdiction may order the driver's license to be surrendered to the sheriff or official of the court collecting fines for a period of time not to exceed one hundred eighty days. If, after expiration of one hundred eighty days, the defendant has not paid the fine, the sheriff or official of the court designated to collect fines shall forward the license to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections....
C. If, after expiration of one hundred eighty days, the defendant has not paid the fine, the sheriff or official of the court designated to collect fines shall forward the license to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Upon receipt of the defendant's surrendered driver's license, the department shall suspend the driver's license of the defendant. The suspension shall begin when the department receives written notification from the court, and the department shall send immediate written notification to the defendant informing him of the suspension of driving privileges.
D. The department shall not reinstate, return, reissue, or renew a driver's license in its possession pursuant to this Section until payment of the fine and any additional administrative cost, fee, or penalty required by the judge having the jurisdiction and any other cost, fee, or penalty required by the department in accordance with R.S. 32:414(H) or other applicable cost, fee, or penalty provision.
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Driver's license suspension/impoundment | All | No |
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Louisiana | CCRP 885 | fine and costs |
A defendant who has been imprisoned for default in the payment of a fine, or fine and costs, under a sentence imposed pursuant to Article 884, may, at any time + See morebefore expiration of the term of imprisonment, obtain his release by paying to his custodian all of the costs imposed and a sum of money that bears the same proportion to the imposed fine as the term of alternate imprisonment yet to run bears to the whole of such term of imprisonment.
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Incarceration | All | No |
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Louisiana | La. Stat. Ann. § 13:4611 | Contempt |
For any other contempt of court, including disobeying an order for the payment of child support or spousal support or an order for the right of custody or visitation, by + See morea fine of not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisonment for not more than three months, or both.
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Incarceration | All | No |
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Mississippi | Miss. Code Ann. § 63-1-53 (1) | Driver's license suspension |
Upon failure of any person to respond timely and properly to a summons or citation charging such person with any violation of this title, or upon failure of any person + See moreto pay timely any fine, fee or assessment levied as a result of any violation of this title, the clerk of the court shall give written notice to such person by United States first-class mail at his last known address advising such person that, if within ten (10) days after such notice is deposited in the mail, the person has not properly responded to the summons or citation or has not paid the entire amount of all fines, fees and assessments levied, then the court will give notice thereof to the Commissioner of Public Safety and the commissioner may suspend the driver's license of such person.
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Driver's license suspension/impoundment | Traffic | No |
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Mississippi | Miss. Code Ann. § 99-37-5(2) | Payment and orders |
(2) When a defendant sentenced to pay a fine or costs or ordered to make restitution is also placed on probation or imposition or execution of sentence is suspended, the + See morecourt may make payment of the fine or costs or the making of restitution a condition of probation or suspension of sentence. Such offenders shall make restitution payments directly to the victim. As an alternative to a contempt proceeding under Sections 99-37-7 through 99-37-13, the intentional refusal to obey the restitution order or a failure by a defendant to make a good faith effort to make such restitution may be considered a violation of the defendant's probation and may be cause for revocation of his probation or suspension of sentence.
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Incarceration | All | No |
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Mississippi | Miss. Code Ann. § 99-37-7(2) | Contempt for default |
(2) Unless the defendant shows that his default was not attributable to an intentional refusal to obey the order of the court or to a failure on his part to + See moremake a good faith effort to make the payment, the court may find that his default constitutes contempt and may order him committed until the fine or the restitution, or a specified part thereof, is paid.
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Incarceration | All | No |
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South Carolina | S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-250. | Revocation of license |
If the department imposes a monetary penalty under this section which is not paid or a contested case hearing requested within thirty days after demand by the department, the license + See moreor licenses may be suspended or revoked by the department.
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Driver's license suspension/impoundment | All | No |
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South Carolina | S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-270. Revocation of permits. | Revocation of permit | In addition to the penalties provided in this chapter, the department may revoke the permit of a person failing to comply with any requirements hereof. | Driver's license suspension/impoundment | All | No |
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Connecticut | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-399 | Commitment of debtor for contempt. |
Any judge before whom any such examination is ordered may commit the judgment debtor for contempt in case of his neglect or refusal to attend or be sworn at the + See moreexamination or to answer any question put to him during the examination, and any such neglect or refusal, if the examination is ordered or had before a committee, may be by such committee reported to the judge by whom he was appointed, which judge may thereupon proceed for the contempt as fully as if the examination had been ordered or had before himself.
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Incarceration | All | No |
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Kansas | Kan. Stat. Ann. § 22-3425(1) | Commitment for failure to pay fine and costs |
(1) When a defendant is adjudged to pay a fine and costs, the court may order him to be committed to the county jail until such fine and costs are + See morepaid or may make an order providing for the payment of such fines and costs in installments.
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Incarceration | All | No |
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Kansas | Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-6604(j) | Authorized dispositions; crimes committed on or after July 1, 1993 |
(j) This section shall not deprive the court of any authority conferred by any other Kansas statute to decree a forfeiture of property, suspend or cancel a license, remove a + See moreperson from office or impose any other civil penalty as a result of conviction of crime.
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Driver's license suspension/impoundment | All | No |
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Kansas | Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-6604(j) | Authorized dispositions; crimes committed on or after July 1, 1993 |
(j) This section shall not deprive the court of any authority conferred by any other Kansas statute to decree a forfeiture of property, suspend or cancel a license, remove a + See moreperson from office or impose any other civil penalty as a result of conviction of crime.
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Driver's license suspension/impoundment | All | No |
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Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 46-18-208 | Termination of remaining portion of deferred or suspended sentence--petition |
When imposition of a sentence has been deferred or execution of a sentence has been suspended, the prosecutor or defendant may file a petition to terminate the time remaining on + See morethe sentence
The court may grant the petition if it finds that...the defendant has paid all restitution and court-ordered financial obligations in full.
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Incarceration | All | No |
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