Poverty Penalties and Poverty Traps

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State Statute Description/Statute Name Statutory language Type of poverty penalty or poverty trap Level of offense Mandatory
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Montana Mont. Code Ann. § 46-18-244(6) Type and time of payment--defenses--ensuring payment
For a felony offense: (a) during any period that the offender is incarcerated, the department of corrections shall take a percentage, as set by department rule, of any money in
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any account of the defendant administered by the department and use the money to satisfy any existing restitution obligation; (b) at the beginning of any period during which the offender is not incarcerated, the offender shall sign a statement allowing any employer of the offender to garnish up to 25% of the offender's compensation and give the garnished amounts to the department of corrections to be used by the department to satisfy any existing restitution obligation; and (c) during any period that the defendant is on probation or parole, the probation and parole officer shall set a monthly restitution payment amount by dividing the total amount of unpaid restitution by the number of remaining months of probation or parole. The probation and parole officer may adjust the monthly payment up or down by a maximum of 10%, depending on the offender's circumstances.
Wage/bank account garnishment All Yes
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Montana Mont. Code Ann. § 46-18-244(7) Type and time of payment--defenses--ensuring payment
The department of corrections shall give the department of revenue a copy of the order to pay restitution. If full restitution has not been paid, the department of revenue shall,
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pursuant to an agreement made under 46-18-241, intercept any state tax refunds and any federal tax refunds, as provided by law, due the offender and transfer the money to the department of corrections for a felony offense and to the sentencing court for a misdemeanor offense for disbursement to the victim.
Wage/bank account garnishment All Yes
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Oklahoma Okla. Stat. tit. 22, § 1355.14D Payment of costs of representation--Fee schedule
Any order directing the defendant to pay costs of representation shall be a lien against all real and personal property of the defendant and may be filed against such property
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and foreclosed as provided by law for civil liens.
Property liens All Yes
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Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 18-63 Commitment for failure to pay a fine Upon any conviction for a crime, if the convict fails to pay any fine lawfully imposed, he shall be committed to a community correctional center until such fine is paid. Incarceration All Yes
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Montana Mont. Code Ann. § 46-18-244(6) Type and time of payment--defenses--ensuring payment
(a) during any period that the offender is incarcerated, the department of corrections shall take a percentage, as set by department rule, of any money in any account of the
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defendant administered by the department and use the money to satisfy any existing restitution obligation; (b) at the beginning of any period during which the offender is not incarcerated, the offender shall sign a statement allowing any employer of the offender to garnish up to 25% of the offender's compensation and give the garnished amounts to the department of corrections to be used by the department to satisfy any existing restitution obligation; and (c) during any period that the defendant is on probation or parole, the probation and parole officer shall set a monthly restitution payment amount by dividing the total amount of unpaid restitution by the number of remaining months of probation or parole. The probation and parole officer may adjust the monthly payment up or down by a maximum of 10%, depending on the offender's circumstances.
Wage/bank account garnishment Felony Yes
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Montana Mont. Code Ann. § 46-18-244(7) Type and time of payment--defenses--ensuring payment
The department of corrections shall give the department of revenue a copy of the order to pay restitution. If full restitution has not been paid, the department of revenue shall,
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pursuant to an agreement made under 46-18-241, intercept any state tax refunds and any federal tax refunds, as provided by law, due the offender and transfer the money to the department of corrections for a felony offense and to the sentencing court for a misdemeanor offense for disbursement to the victim.
Wage/bank account garnishment All Yes
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Montana Mont. Code Ann. § 46-18-601 Judgment in writing--lien
(1) The judgment shall be reduced to writing and signed by the judge. (2) A judgment that the defendant pay a fine or costs constitutes a lien upon the real estate
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of the defendant, which lien dates from the date of the defendant's arrest.
Property liens All Yes
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Oklahoma 22 Okl.St.Ann. § 456A Bench warrant, fee for issuance of
For the issuance of each bench warrant for a defendant's failure to pay court costs, fines, fees, or assessments in felony, misdemeanor, or traffic cases, the court clerk shall charge
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and collect a fee of Five Dollars ($5.00). The fee shall be included in the execution bond amount on the face of the bench warrant which is issued for the defendant's failure to pay and shall be in addition to the delinquent amount owed by the defendant. This fee shall be deposited in the court clerk's revolving fund pursuant to the provisions of Section 220 of Title 19 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
Collection fee/interest All Yes
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Oklahoma 22 Okl.St.Ann. § 966A Bench warrant, fee for issuance of
For the issuance of each bench warrant for a defendant's failure to pay court costs, fines, fees, or assessments in felony, misdemeanor, or traffic cases, the court clerk shall charge
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and collect a fee of Five Dollars ($5.00). The fee shall be included in the execution bond amount on the face of the bench warrant which is issued for the defendant's failure to pay and shall be in addition to the delinquent amount owed by the defendant. This fee shall be deposited in the court clerk's revolving fund pursuant to the provisions of Section 220 of Title 19 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
Collection fee/interest All Yes
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Oklahoma 28 Okl.St.Ann. § 101 Fees and costs in criminal cases part of penalty--Enforcement by imprisonment--Persons unable to pay
The fees herein provided for the clerk of the district court and the sheriff, as provided in this act, and all costs in the prosecution of all criminal actions shall,
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in case of conviction of the defendant, be adjudged a part of the penalty of the offense of which the defendant may be convicted, whether the punishment for such offense be either imprisonment, or fine, or both, and fixed either by the verdict of the jury, or judgment of the court, trying the case, and if the defendant shall refuse to pay the fine, fees or costs, the payment of such fees and costs, in addition to the payment of the fine assessed, shall be enforced by imprisonment until the same shall be satisfied at a rate of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) per day of such fees and costs, or fine, or both, or shall be satisfied at a rate of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per day of such fees and costs, or fine, or both, should the defendant perform useful labor. If the defendant is without means to pay the fine, fees or costs, the total amount owed shall be entered upon the judgment docket and thereupon the same remedies shall be available for the enforcement of said judgment as are available to any other judgment creditor.The term “all costs in the prosecution of all criminal actions”, as used in this section, shall include only the following taxable items: 1. Court clerk's costs and fees authorized by statute; 2. Sheriff's fees; 3. Fees and mileage of witnesses; and 4. Cost deposits in the appellate court, whether on appeal, in an original proceeding or in any postconviction challenge, if waived on the basis of a pauper's affidavit.
Incarceration All Yes
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Oklahoma Okla. Stat. tit. 57, § 20 Credit on fine and costs--Credit for efficient work and good behavior
Every county, city or town convict in this state, whether required to work upon the public highways of the county, city or town, in accordance with the laws of this
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state, or merely confined in the county, city or town prison, shall receive credit upon his or her fine and costs of One Dollar ($1.00) for each day confined in prison, or worked upon the public highways, rock pile, or rock crusher, or public work; provided that those prisoners or convicts doing and performing the most efficient work and making the best prisoners, shall be entitled to an additional credit of one (1) day for every five (5) days of work, the custodian of the prison to determine at the end of each five (5) days of imprisonment whether or not the prisoner is entitled to such credit, and to make a record of the decision and notify the prisoner of the same.
Work program/jail industry program Misdemeanor Yes
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Oklahoma Okla. Stat. tit. 11, § 22-138 Municipal collection agency contracts
A governing body of a municipality that enters into a contract with a collection agency pursuant to this section may authorize the addition of a collection fee in an amount
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not to exceed thirty-five percent (35%) on each item described in subsection A of this section that has been referred by the municipality to the collection agency for collection. If a municipality enters into such contract with a collection agency and authorizes the collection fee, the court shall order defendants to reimburse the fee arising pursuant to paragraph 2 of subsection A of this section and such court-ordered fee may be collected as provided by law for the collection of any other civil debt or criminal action.
Collection fee/interest All Yes
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Oklahoma Okla. Stat. tit. 57, § 58.3 Sentence and fine or cost credits for prisoner labor
Prisoners employed as provided herein shall be given a credit of two (2) days on a jail sentence for each day worked, and a credit of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per
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day upon the payment of a fine or court cost, if sentenced for nonpayment of a fine or court cost. The sheriff shall be authorized to order the credit be given to the prisoner on the records of the court where the conviction of the prisoner is filed.
Work program/jail industry program All Yes
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Wisconsin Wis. Stat. § 757.66 Recovery of legal fees paid for indigent defendants
Whenever a county or the state has paid for legal representation of an indigent defendant and the county board or the department of justice so requires, the clerk of the
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court where representation for the indigent was appointed shall prepare, sign and record in the office of the register of deeds a certificate stating the name and residence of the indigent beneficiary, the amount paid by the county or the state for his or her legal representation, the date when paid, the court and county in which the case was heard and such other information as the county board directs. If a certificate is recorded within 6 months after payment is made by the county or the state it may, within the time after the recording provided by s. 893.86, commence an action to recover from the indigent defendant, or his or her estate if the action is commenced within the time set for filing claims by creditors, the amount paid by the county or the state for his or her legal representation. In any such action ss. 859.02 and 893.86, so far as applicable, may be pleaded in defense. The claim shall not take precedence over the allowances in ss. 861.31, 861.33 and 861.35. The district attorney or the department of justice, as applicable, shall commence and prosecute all actions and proceedings necessary under this section to make the recovery when it appears that the indigent defendant or his or her estate is able to pay the claim.
Other All Yes
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Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 18-50(a)(1) Credit against unpaid fine for time spent in confinement, employed or performing community service

(a)(1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, each person committed to any community correctional center upon conviction of any criminal offense, and held therein only for the

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payment of a fine, shall be discharged from confinement when the time served by such person at a per diem rate equal to the average daily cost of incarceration as determined by the Commissioner of Correction amounts to such fine or the balance thereof remaining unpaid. Such person shall earn an additional credit of fifty dollars toward such fine or balance thereof remaining unpaid for each day such person is employed at productive or maintenance work and has established a satisfactory work record. In computing the number of days to be served, credit shall be given for Sundays, holidays and the day of admission. Each person so committed shall be released during the day following that which completes the time to be served when computed in accordance with this subdivision, or immediately upon payment of the fine in full.

Incarceration All Yes
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Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 18-85a(b) State's claim against inmate's property for repayment of costs of incarceration

(b) The state shall have a claim against each inmate for the costs of such inmate’s incarceration under this section, and regulations adopted in accordance with this section, for which

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the state has not been reimbursed. Any property owned by such inmate may be used to satisfy such claim, except property that is: (1) Exempt pursuant to section 52-352b or 52-352d, except as provided in subsection (b) of section 52-321a; (2) subject to the provisions of section 54-218; (3) acquired by such inmate after the inmate is released from incarceration, but not including property so acquired that is subject to the provisions of section 18-85b, 18-85c or 52-367c, and except as provided in subsection (b) of section 52-321a; (4) acquired by such inmate for work performed during incarceration as part of a program designated or defined in regulations adopted by the Commissioner of Correction, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, as a job training, skill development or career opportunity or enhancement program, other than a pilot program established pursuant to section 18-90b, except that the commissioner may assess a fee for participation in any such program; or (5) credited to a discharge savings account pursuant to section 18-84a, not in excess of one thousand dollars. In addition to other remedies available at law, the Attorney General, on request of the Commissioner of Correction, may bring an action in the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford to enforce such claim, provided no such action shall be brought but within two years from the date the inmate is released from incarceration or, if the inmate dies while in the custody of the commissioner, within two years from the date of the inmate's death, except that such limitation period shall not apply if such property was fraudulently concealed from the state.

Property liens All Yes
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Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 18-85b(a) State's claim against proceeds of person's cause of action

(a) In the case of causes of action of any person obligated to pay the costs of such person's incarceration under section 18-85a and regulations adopted in accordance with said

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section brought by such person within twenty years from the date such person is released from incarceration, the claim of the state shall be a lien against the proceeds therefrom in the amount of the costs of incarceration or fifty per cent of the proceeds received by such person after payment of all expenses connected with the cause of action, whichever is less, for repayment under said section, and shall have priority over all other claims, including any lien of the state for repayment of public assistance, except (1) attorney's fees for the cause of action, (2) expenses of suit, (3) costs of hospitalization connected with the cause of action by whomever paid over and above hospital insurance or other such benefits, and, for such period of hospitalization as was not paid for by the state, physicians' fees for services during any such period as are connected with the cause of action over and above medical insurance or other such benefits, (4) child support obligations pursuant to subsection (d) of section 17b-93, (5) restitution or payment of compensation to a crime victim ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction, and (6) payment of a civil judgment rendered in favor of a crime victim by a court of competent jurisdiction; and such claim shall consist of the total amount of the costs of incarceration under section 18-85a and regulations adopted in accordance with said section. The proceeds of such causes of action shall be assignable to the state for payment of the amount due under section 18-85a, and regulations adopted in accordance with said section, irrespective of any other provision of law.

Property liens All Yes
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Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 18-85b(b) State's claim against proceeds of person's inheritance for repayment of costs of incarceration

(b) In the case of an inheritance of an estate by any person who is obligated to pay the costs of such person's incarceration under section 18-85a and regulations adopted

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in accordance with said section that is received by such person within twenty years from the date such person is released from incarceration, the claim of the state shall be a lien against such inheritance in the amount of the costs of incarceration or fifty per cent of the assets of the estate payable to such person, whichever is less. The Court of Probate shall accept any such lien notice filed by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee with the court prior to the distribution of such inheritance, and to the extent of such inheritance not already distributed, the court shall order distribution in accordance therewith.

Property liens All Yes
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Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 18-85c State's claim against person's estate for repayment of costs of incarceration

Upon the death of any person obligated to pay the costs of such person's incarceration under section 18-85a and regulations adopted in accordance with said section that occurs within twenty

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years from the date such person is released from incarceration, the state shall have a claim against such person's estate for all costs of incarceration under the provisions of said section and such regulations for which the state has not been reimbursed, to the extent that the amount which the surviving spouse, parent or dependent children of the decedent would otherwise take from such estate is not needed for their support.

Property liens All Yes
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Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 18-101(b) Disposition of Inmate Compensation

(b) On granting privileges to any inmate under section 18-100, the commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall disburse any compensation earned by such inmate in accordance with the following priorities:

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(1) Federal taxes due; (2) restitution or payment of compensation to a crime victim ordered by any court of competent jurisdiction; (3) payment of a civil judgment rendered in favor of a crime victim by any court of competent jurisdiction; (4) victims compensation through the criminal injuries account administered by the Office of Victim Services; (5) state taxes due; (6) support of such inmate's dependents, if any; (7) such inmate's necessary travel expense to and from work and other incidental expenses; (8) deposits credited to the inmate's discharge savings account under section 18-84a; and (9) costs of such inmate's incarceration under section 18-85a and regulations adopted in accordance with said section

Wage/bank account garnishment All Yes