An act relating to taking account of a defendant’s ability to pay for purposes of criminal fines, fees, and surcharges

Summary

The bill bars Vermont courts from adding interest to unpaid criminal fines or fees while a defendant is incarcerated and for 90 days after release, even if a collections agency is involved. It also gives judges the ability to waive or reduce a surcharge when a defendant shows they cannot afford it. The goal is to keep penalties from exceeding a person’s ability to pay, preserving the deterrent purpose of the justice system.

AI-generated summary — may be incomplete or inaccurate. Verify against the official bill text.

Topics

Share