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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Florida Fla. Stat. §945.091(6)(b) Extension of the limits of confinement; restitution by employed inmates

An offender who is required to provide restitution or reparation may petition the circuit court to amend the amount of restitution or reparation required or to revise the schedule of

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repayment established by the department or the Florida Commission on Offender Review.

Payment plan/installment plan All Yes
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Florida Fla. Stat. §776.085(4)(b) Defense to civil action for damages; party convicted of forcible or attempted forcible felony

The court shall award a reasonable attorney's fee to be paid to the prevailing party in equal amounts by the losing party and the losing party's attorney; however, the losing

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party's attorney is not personally responsible if he or she has acted in good faith, based on the representations of his or her client. If the losing party is incarcerated for the crime or attempted crime and has insufficient assets to cover payment of the costs of the action and the award of fees pursuant to this paragraph, the party shall, as determined by the court, be required to pay by deduction from any payments the prisoner receives while incarcerated.

Payment plan/installment plan All Yes
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Florida Fla. Stat. §960.17(2) Award constitutes debt owed to state

The court, when placing on probation as provided in chapter 948 any person who owes a debt to the state as a consequence of a criminal act, shall set as

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a condition of probation the payment of the debt to the state. The court may also set the schedule or amounts of payments, subject to modification based on change of circumstances, unless it finds reasons to the contrary. If the court does not order payment, or orders only partial payment, it shall state on the record the reasons therefor.

Payment plan/installment plan All Yes
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Florida Fla. Stat. §903.286 Return of cash bond; requirement to withhold unpaid fines, fees, court costs; cash bond forms

(1) Notwithstanding s. 903.31(2), the clerk of the court shall withhold from the return of a cash bond posted on behalf of a criminal defendant by a person other than

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a bail bond agent licensed pursuant to chapter 648 sufficient funds to pay any unpaid costs of prosecution, costs of representation as provided by ss. 27.52 and 938.29, court fees, court costs, and criminal penalties. If sufficient funds are not available to pay all unpaid costs of prosecution, costs of representation as provided by ss. 27.52 and 938.29, court fees, court costs, and criminal penalties, the clerk of the court shall immediately obtain payment from the defendant or enroll the defendant in a payment plan pursuant to s. 28.246.

(2) All cash bond forms used in conjunction with the requirements of s. 903.09 must prominently display a notice explaining that all funds are subject to forfeiture and withholding by the clerk of the court for the payment of costs of prosecution, costs of representation as provided by ss. 27.52 and 938.29, court fees, court costs, and criminal penalties on behalf of the criminal defendant regardless of who posted the funds.

Payment plan/installment plan All Yes
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Florida Fla. Stat. §28.246(4) Payment of court-related fines or other monetary penalties, fees, charges, and costs; partial payments; distribution of funds

The clerk of the circuit court shall accept partial payments for court-related fees, service charges, costs, and fines in accordance with the terms of an established payment plan. An individual

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seeking to defer payment of fees, service charges, costs, or fines imposed by operation of law or order of the court under any provision of general law shall apply to the clerk for enrollment in a payment plan. The clerk shall enter into a payment plan with an individual who the court determines is indigent for costs. A monthly payment amount, calculated based upon all fees and all anticipated costs, is presumed to correspond to the person’s ability to pay if the amount does not exceed 2 percent of the person’s annual net income, as defined in s. 27.52(1), divided by 12. The court may review the reasonableness of the payment plan.

Payment plan/installment plan All Yes
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Florida Fla. Stat. §775.083(1) Fines

(1) A person who has been convicted of an offense other than a capital felony may be sentenced to pay a fine in addition to any punishment described in s. 775.082;

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when specifically authorized by statute, he or she may be sentenced to pay a fine in lieu of any punishment described in s.775.082. A person who has been convicted of a noncriminal violation may be sentenced to pay a fine . . . If a defendant is unable to pay a fine, the court may defer payment of the fine to a date certain.

Payment plan/installment plan All No
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Alaska Alaska Stat. § 12.55.039(c) Surcharge

The surcharge shall be paid within 10 days of imposition or such shorter period of time as ordered by the court. Failure to pay the surcharge is punishable as contempt

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of court. Proceedings to collect the surcharge may be instituted by the state, the municipality, or by the court on its own motion.

Civil judgment All Yes
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Alaska Alaska Stat. § 12.55.035(d) Fines

If a defendant is sentenced to pay a fine, the court may grant permission for the payment to be made within a specified period of time or in specified installments.

Payment plan/installment plan All No
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Colorado C.R.S. 18-22-103(1);(4) Source of Revenues - Allocation of Moneys

(1)  Each juvenile who is convicted as an adult of a violent crime shall be required to pay a surcharge to the clerk of the court in which the conviction occurs

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in an amount equal to any fine imposed by such court;  (4)  A surcharge assessed by the court pursuant to this section may be collected in the same manner as a judgment in a civil action and the court shall order the district attorney to institute proceedings to collect such surcharge if the court finds that a juvenile convicted as an adult of a violent crime is financially unable to pay all or any portion of such surcharge at the time of sentencing.

Civil judgment Misdemeanor, Felony No
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Colorado C.R.S. 16-18.5-104(1);(4);(5) Initial Collections Investigation - Payment Schedule

(1)   Orders for restitution shall be due and payable at the time that the order of conviction is entered. Unless the defendant is sentenced to the custody of the executive

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director of the department of corrections, if at the time that the court enters an order for restitution pursuant to section 18-1.3-603, C.R.S., the defendant alleges that he or she cannot pay the full amount of restitution, the court shall direct that the defendant report immediately to the collections investigator. ... (4)   (a) (I) Following the investigation described in subsection (3) of this section, the collections investigator shall establish a payment schedule and direct that the defendant: (A)  Pay the full amount ordered immediately; (B)  Pay the full amount ordered as a single payment on a specified date; or (C)  Pay the full amount ordered in specified partial amounts on specified dates.(II)  The collections investigator may ask the court to enter the payment schedule as an order of court.(b)  In addition to the payments required by paragraph (a) of this subsection (4), the collections investigator may direct that: (I)  If the defendant is unemployed, the defendant seek gainful employment and report to the investigator on such efforts by a specified date; (II)  The defendant shall not incur additional debt or financial obligation without the approval of the collections investigator, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; or (III)  The defendant promptly report to the collections investigator any changes in income, assets, or other financial circumstances. (5)   Following the investigation required by subsection (3) of this section, the collections investigator may also:(a) (I)  Record a transcript of the order for restitution in the real estate records in the office of the clerk and recorder of any county in which the defendant holds an interest in real property. From the time of the recording of the transcript, there shall be a lien that is an encumbrance in favor of the state or the victim, or an assignee of the state or the victim, and shall encumber any interest of the defendant in real property in such county. (II)  (A) The lien created by this paragraph (a) shall remain in effect until all amounts of restitution, including interest, costs, time payment fees, and late fees are paid or for a period of twenty years after the recording of the transcript. So long as there is an amount still owing, the collections investigator or the victim or the assignee of the state or the victim may record a new transcript of the order of restitution. Any transcript of the order for restitution recorded pursuant to this subparagraph (II) prior to the expiration of the twenty-year period shall relate back to the date of the recording of the original transcript of the order for restitution and shall be valid for a period of twenty years after the recording of the subsequent transcript. More than one subsequent transcript shall be permitted. (B)  Within twenty-one days after the payment of all such amounts of restitution, the collections investigator or the victim, or the assignee of the state or the victim, shall record a certificate of satisfaction of judgment issued by the clerk of the court with each clerk and recorder where a transcript was recorded. The satisfaction of judgment shall be conclusive evidence that the lien was extinguished. (III)  The collections investigator and the victim shall be exempt from the payment of recording fees charged by the clerk and recorder for the recording of the transcripts and satisfactions of judgment. (b) (I)  File a transcript of the order for restitution with the secretary of state. From the time of the filing of the transcript, there shall be a lien that is an encumbrance in favor of the state or the victim, or an assignee of the state or the victim, and shall encumber any interest of the defendant in any personal property. (II)  The lien created by this paragraph (b), shall remain in effect without the necessity of renewal for twelve years or until all amounts of restitution, including interest, costs, time payment fees, and late fees are paid. Within twenty-one days after the payment of all such amounts of restitution, the collections investigator or the victim, or the assignee of the state or the victim, shall file a satisfaction of judgment with the secretary of state. The satisfaction of judgment shall be conclusive evidence that the lien was extinguished. (III)  The collections investigator and the victim shall be exempt from the payment of filing fees charged by the secretary of state. (c) (I)  File a transcript of the order for restitution with the authorized agent as defined in section 42-6-102 (1.5). From the time of the filing of the transcript, there shall be a lien that is an encumbrance in favor of the state or the victim, or an assignee of the state or the victim, and shall encumber any interest of the defendant in a motor vehicle. In order for such lien to be effective as a valid lien against a motor vehicle, the state or the victim, or the assignee of the state or the victim, shall have such lien filed for public record and noted on the owner's certificate of title in the manner provided in sections 42-6-121 and 42-6-129. (II)  The lien created by this paragraph (c), shall remain in effect for the same period of time as any other lien on motor vehicles as specified in section 42-6-127, C.R.S., or until all amounts of restitution, including interest, costs, time payment fees, and late fees are paid, whichever occurs first. A lien created pursuant to this paragraph (c) may be renewed pursuant to section 42-6-127, C.R.S. Within twenty-one days after the payment of all such amounts of restitution, the collections investigator or the victim or the assignee of the state or the victim shall release the lien pursuant to the procedures specified in section 42-6-125, C.R.S. When a lien created by this paragraph (c) is released, the authorized agent and the executive director of the department of revenue shall proceed as provided in section 42-6-126, C.R.S. (III)  The collections investigator and the victim shall not be exempt from the payment of filing fees charged by the authorized agent for the filing of either the transcript of order or the release of lien. However, the state or the victim, or the assignee of the state or the victim, may add the amount of the filing fees to the lien amount and collect the amount from the defendant.

 

Payment plan/installment plan All No
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Hawaii Haw. Rev. Stat. § 291C-171.5 Collection of fines and costs

(a) Unless discharged by payment or service of imprisonment in default of a fine, a fine may be collected in the same manner as a judgment in a civil action.(b)

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Costs may be collected in the same manner as a judgment in a civil action, but shall not be deemed part of the penalty, and no person shall be imprisoned under this section in default of payment of costs. (c) The state attorney general may institute proceedings to collect the fine, and costs, including interest and attorney's fees, as a civil judgment in the court of appropriate jurisdiction.

Civil judgment All No
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Hawaii Haw. Rev. Stat. § 706-644(5) Consequences of nonpayment; imprisonment for contumacious nonpayment; summary collection

(5) Unless discharged by payment or, in the case of a fee or fine, service of imprisonment pursuant to subsection (3), an order to pay a fee, fine, or restitution,

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whether as an independent order, as a part of a judgment and sentence, or as a condition of probation or deferred plea pursuant to chapter 853, may be collected in the same manner as a judgment in a civil action. The State or the victim named in the order may collect the restitution, including costs, interest, and attorney's fees, pursuant to section 706-646. The State may collect the fee or fine, including costs, interest, and attorney's fees pursuant to section 706-647.

Civil judgment All No
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Illinois 730 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/5-5-6(f) Restitution

Taking into consideration the ability of the defendant to pay, including any real or personal property or any other assets of the defendant, the court shall determine whether restitution shall

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be paid in a single payment or in installments, and shall fix a period of time not in excess of 5 years, except for violations of Sections 16-1.3 and 17-56 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 [720 ILCS 5/17-56], or the period of time specified in subsection (f-1), not including periods of incarceration, within which payment of restitution is to be paid in full. Complete restitution shall be paid in as short a time period as possible. However, if the court deems it necessary and in the best interest of the victim, the court may extend beyond 5 years the period of time within which the payment of restitution is to be paid. If the defendant is ordered to pay restitution and the court orders that restitution is to be paid over a period greater than 6 months, the court shall order that the defendant make monthly payments; the court may waive this requirement of monthly payments only if there is a specific finding of good cause for waiver.

Payment plan/installment plan All No
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Iowa Iowa Code § 909.3 Criminal Corrections - Fines: Payment in installments

1. All fines imposed by the court shall be paid on the day the fine is imposed, and the person shall be instructed to pay such fines with the office of

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the clerk of the district court on the date of imposition.

2. a. The court may, in its discretion, order a fine to be paid in installments.

Payment plan/installment plan All No
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Kentucky Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 534.020(1) Methods of imposing fines; installment payment plan; determination of reason for defendant's default; show cause hearing; certain installment payments not to be reported as liquidated debt

When a defendant is sentenced to pay a fine, the court may provide for payment to be made within a specified period of time or in specified installments. If no

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such provision is made a part of the sentence, then the fine shall be payable forthwith.

Payment plan/installment plan All No
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Kentucky Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 24A.175(4) Court cost enforcement

(4) If the court finds that the defendant does not meet the standard articulated in subsection (3) of this section and that the defendant is nonetheless unable to pay the

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full amount of the court costs, fees, or fines at the time of sentencing, then the court may establish an installment payment plan in accordance with KRS 534.020.

Payment plan/installment plan All No
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Kentucky Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 441.265(3),(5)-(7) Required reimbursement by prisoner of costs of confinement; local policy of fee and expense rates; billing and collection methods

(3) The jailer or his designee may bill and attempt to collect any amount owed which remains unpaid. The governing body of the county may, upon the advice of the

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jailer, contract with one (1) or more public agencies or private vendors to perform this billing and collection. Within twelve (12) months after the date of the prisoner's release from confinement, the county attorney, jailer, or the jailer's designee, may file a civil action to seek reimbursement from that prisoner for any amount owed which remains unpaid . . .

(6) Payment of any required fees may be automatically deducted from the prisoner's property or canteen account. If the prisoner has no funds in his account, a deduction may be made creating a negative balance. If funds become available or if the prisoner reenters the jail at a later date, the fees may be deducted from the prisoner's property or canteen account.

(7) Prior to the prisoner's release, the jailer or his designee may work with the confined prisoner to create a reimbursement plan to be implemented upon the prisoner's release. At the end of the prisoner's incarceration, the prisoner shall be presented with a billing statement produced by the jailer or designee. After the prisoner's release, the jailer or his designee may, after negotiation with the prisoner, release the prisoner from all or part of the prisoner's repayment obligation if the jailer believes that the prisoner will be unable to pay the full amount due.

Civil judgment All No
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Maine Me. Rev. Stat. tit 17-A § 1710 Modification of payment of fine

If a convicted person who has been sentenced to pay a fine is in danger of default, that person shall move the court for a modification of time or method

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of payment to avoid a default. The court may modify its prior order to allow additional time for payment or to reduce the amount of each installment.

Payment plan/installment plan All Yes
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Maine Me. Rev. Stat. tit 17-A § 2015(3)(B) Restitution: Default

B. If it appears that the default is excusable, the court may give the offender additional time for payment or may reduce the amount of each installment.

Payment plan/installment plan All No
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Georgia Ga. Code Ann. § 42-8-34.2(a) Delinquency of Defendant in Payment of Fines, Costs, or Restitution or Reparation; Costs of Garnishment

In the event that a defendant is delinquent in the payment of fines, costs, or restitution or reparation, as was ordered by the court as a condition of probation, the

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defendant's officer shall be authorized, but shall not be required, to execute a sworn affidavit wherein the amount of arrearage is set out. In addition, the affidavit shall contain a succinct statement as to what efforts DCS has made in trying to collect the delinquent amount. The affidavit shall then be submitted to the sentencing court for approval. Upon signature and approval of the court, such arrearage shall then be collectable through issuance of a writ of fieri facias by the clerk of the sentencing court; and DCS may enforce such collection through any judicial or other process or procedure which may be used by the holder of a writ of execution arising from a civil action.

Civil judgment All No