Poverty Penalties and Poverty Traps

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 poverty penalty and poverty trap policy recommendations in CJPP’s Policy Guide

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.

21 Results

Export results to Excel

State Statute Description/Statute Name Statutory language Type of poverty penalty or poverty trap Level of offense Mandatory
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-356d Installment payment order.
(a) When a judgment is rendered against a natural person, the judgment creditor or judgment debtor may move the court for an order for installment payments in accordance with a
+ See more
money judgment. After hearing and consideration of the judgment debtor’s financial circumstances, the court may order installment payments reasonably calculated to facilitate payment of the judgment.
Payment plan/installment plan All No
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

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 more
examination 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.
Incarceration All No
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 51-164r Failure to pay or plead
(a) Any person charged with an infraction who fails to pay the fine and any additional fee imposed or send in his plea of not guilty by the answer date
+ See more
or wilfully fails to appear for any scheduled court appearance date which may be required shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor.(b) Any person charged with any violation specified in subsection (b) of section 51-164n who fails to pay the fine and any additional fee imposed or send in his plea of not guilty by the answer date or wilfully fails to appear for any scheduled court appearance date which may be required shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
Increased fine Misdemeanor No
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 18-85(b) Compensation of inmates. Deposit in account. Disbursement priorities.

(b) Compensation so earned shall be deposited, under the direction of the Commissioner of Correction, in an account in a savings bank or state bank and trust company in this

+ See more
state or an account administered by the State Treasurer. Any compensation so earned shall be paid to the inmate on the inmate’s release from incarceration, except that the commissioner may, while the inmate is in custody, disburse any compensation earned by such inmate in accordance with the following priorities: (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 the inmate’s dependents, if any; (7) the 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; (9) costs of such inmate’s incarceration under section 18-85a and regulations adopted in accordance with said section; and (10) payment to the clerk of the court in which an inmate, confined in a correctional facility only for payment of a fine, was convicted, such portion of such compensation as is necessary to pay such fine.

Wage/bank account garnishment All No
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

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

+ See more
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
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

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

+ See more
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
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

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

+ See more
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
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

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

+ See more
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
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

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:

+ See more
(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
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-28a Enforcement of orders of financial restitution.

All financial obligations ordered pursuant to subsection (c) of section 53a-28 or subsection (a) of section 53a-30, as amended by this act, may be enforced in the same manner as a

+ See more
judgment in a civil action by the party or entity to whom the obligation is owed. The party or entity seeking enforcement of the financial obligations as a judgment in a civil action shall file with the Superior Court a copy of the court’s order of restitution ordered pursuant to section 53a-28 or 53a-30, as amended by this act, together with an affidavit prepared by the agency or entity monitoring payment of the obligations, on a form prescribed by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator, attesting to the terms of restitution and manner of performance fixed by the court or the Court Support Services Division, identifying the amount of the obligation that has been paid and the amount of the obligation that is owed. Such obligations may be enforced at any time during the ten-year period following the offender’s release from confinement or termination of probation, or within ten years of the entry of the order and sentence, whichever is longer. There shall be no entry fee for filing an enforcement action pursuant to this section. Not later than thirty days after the date of filing of the judgment and the affidavit, the party or entity seeking enforcement of such judgment shall mail notice of filing of the judgment by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the offender at such offender’s last-known address. The proceeds of an execution shall not be distributed to the party or entity seeking enforcement of such judgment earlier than thirty days after the date of filing proof of service with the clerk of the court in which enforcement of such judgment is sought. No fee shall be required for the filing of an execution. The payment of marshal’s fees for service of an execution shall be collected in accordance with the provisions of section 52-261.

Property liens All No
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-350f Enforcement of money judgment. Costs, fees and interest.

A money judgment may be enforced against any property of the judgment debtor unless the property is exempt from application to the satisfaction of the judgment under section 52-352a, 52-352b,

+ See more
52-352d or 52-361a or any other provision of the general statutes or federal law. The money judgment may be enforced, by execution or by foreclosure of a real property lien, to the amount of the money judgment with (1) all statutory costs and fees as provided by the general statutes, (2) interest as provided by chapter 673 on the money judgment and on the costs incurred in obtaining the judgment, and (3) any attorney’s fees allowed pursuant to section 52-400c.

Property liens All No
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-361a Execution on wages after judgment.

(a) Application. If a judgment debtor fails to comply with an installment payment order, the judgment creditor may apply to the court for a wage execution. The application shall contain

+ See more
the judgment creditor's or the judgment creditor's attorney's statement setting forth the particulars of the installment payment order and of the judgment debtor's failure to comply. The application shall be accompanied by a fee of one hundred dollars payable to the clerk of the court for the administrative costs of complying with the provisions of this section which fee may be recoverable by the judgment creditor as a taxable cost of the action.

Wage/bank account garnishment All No
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-74. Remission of fine.

Any judge of the Superior Court may remit any fine, if in his judgment such course will tend to the reformation of offenders or the furtherance of the ends of justice.

All No
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-151 Cost of transcript and printing on appeal.

In any appeal in a criminal action, where it appears to the trial court that the accused is without funds with which to defray the costs of securing a transcript of

+ See more
the evidence, or printing the briefs and the appendices to the briefs, such costs shall be defrayed by the state.

All No
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-147 Rules for payment of expenses. Waiver of fee or cost.

No fee or cost imposed pursuant to any provision of the general statutes on a person who is a defendant or has been convicted in a criminal proceeding or prosecution shall

+ See more
be waived by the court, except as authorized by such provision or for good cause shown.

All No
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Maine Me. Rev. Stat. tit 17-A § 1807(8) Conditions of probation

8. Condition of probation that includes staying within jurisdiction of court; application fee; use of fees. Whenever the court requires as a condition of probation that the person remain within the

+ See more
jurisdiction of the court, unless permission to leave temporarily is granted in writing by the person's probation officer, the Department of Corrections may impose on a person applying for such permission an application fee of $25. The department may impose on a person an additional fee of $25 per month if permission is sought and granted to leave the jurisdiction of the court on a periodic basis. Permission to leave may not be denied or withdrawn solely because the person is not able to pay the application fee or the additional fee. When a person fails to pay a fee imposed under this subsection, the department may refuse to process the application or may withdraw permission to leave if the failure to pay is attributable to the person's willful refusal to pay or to a failure on the person's part to make a good faith effort to obtain the funds required for the payment.

Condition or extension of supervision Felony No
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Maine Me. Rev. Stat. tit 4 § 7 General jurisdiction; control of records

The Supreme Judicial Court may exercise its jurisdiction according to the common law not inconsistent with the Constitution or any statute, and may punish contempts against its authority by fine

+ See more
and imprisonment, or either, and administer oaths.

Incarceration All No
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Maine Me. Rev. Stat. tit 4 § 7 General jurisdiction; control of records

The Supreme Judicial Court may exercise its jurisdiction according to the common law not inconsistent with the Constitution or any statute, and may punish contempts against its authority by fine

+ See more
and imprisonment, or either, and administer oaths.

Increased fine All No
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Maine Me. Rev. Stat. tit 17-A § 1854(2)(A) Requirements of administrative release

2. Discretionary requirements. In addition to the requirements in subsection 1, the court in its sentence may require the person:

A. To pay to the appropriate county an administrative supervision fee of not

+ See more
more than $50 per month, as determined by the court, for the term of the administrative release. In determining the amount of the fee, the court shall take into account the financial resources of the person and the nature of the burden its payment imposes. When a person fails to pay the administrative supervision fee, the court may revoke administrative release as provided in sections 1855 and 1856 unless the person shows that failure to pay was not attributable to a willful refusal to pay or to a failure on that person's part to make a good faith effort to obtain the funds required for the payment.

Incarceration All No
BS-+-Light-Rounded-Square
Add to Dashboard

+ Create New

Maine Me. Rev. Stat. tit 17-A § 1753 Electronic monitoring fee and substance testing fee as conditions of probation

If a court imposes a sentencing alternative authorized under section 1502 that includes a period of probation, upon the request of the Department of Corrections, the court shall attach as

+ See more
a condition of probation an electronic monitoring fee, a substance testing fee or both, as governed by section 1807, subsection 7.

Condition or extension of supervision All No