2017 Rhode Island General Laws
Title 12 - Criminal Procedure
Chapter 12-20 - Costs
Section 12-20-10 - Remission of costs - Prohibition against remitting restitution to victims of crime - Ability to pay - Indigency.

§ 12-20-10. Remission of costs - Prohibition against remitting restitution to victims of crime - Ability to pay - Indigency.

(a) The payment of costs in criminal cases may, upon application, be remitted by any justice of the superior court; provided, that any justice of a district court may, in his or her discretion, remit the costs in any criminal case pending in his or her court, or in the case of any prisoner sentenced by the court, and from which sentence no appeal has been taken. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, this section shall not limit the court's inherent power to remit any fine, fee, assessment or other costs of prosecution, provided no order of restitution shall be suspended by the court.

(b) For purposes of §§ 12-18.1-3(d), 12-21-20, 12-25-28(b), 21-28-4.01(c)(3)(iv) and 21-28-4.17.1, the following conditions shall be prima facie evidence of the defendant's indigency and limited ability to pay:

(1) Qualification for and/or receipt of any of the following benefits or services by the defendant:

(i) temporary assistance to needy families

(ii) social security including supplemental security income and state supplemental payments program;

(iii) public assistance

(iv) disability insurance; or

(v) food stamps

(2) Despite the defendant's good faith efforts to pay, outstanding court orders for payment in the amount of one-hundred dollars ($100) or more for any of the following:

(i) restitution payments to the victims of crime;

(ii) child support payments; or

(iii) payments for any counseling required as a condition of the sentence imposed including, but not limited to, substance abuse, mental health, and domestic violence.

History of Section.
(G.L. 1896, ch. 285, § 60; P.L. 1898, ch. 588, § 1; P.L. 1905, ch. 1241, § 1; C.P.A. 1905, § 1223; G.L. 1909, ch. 354, § 60; G.L. 1909, ch. 354, § 54; P.L. 1915, ch. 1261, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 407, § 54; G.L. 1938, ch. 625, § 54; G.L. 1956, § 12-20-10; P.L. 2008, ch. 297, § 4; P.L. 2008, ch. 326, § 4.)