{"id":352272,"date":"2023-09-13T23:22:42","date_gmt":"2023-09-14T04:22:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/fines.html"},"modified":"2023-09-13T23:22:42","modified_gmt":"2023-09-14T04:22:42","slug":"fines","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/fines.html","title":{"rendered":"Criminal Fines"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Criminal Fines<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/sarah-williams-j-d\/\">Sarah Williams, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/melissa-bender-esq\/\">Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            September 13, 2023\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n    <div class=\"fl-callout-text article-blockquote\">\n        <p>Many people have paid a fine at some point, such as for speeding. Sometimes, more serious crimes lead to fines. These fines have a much higher cost than a traffic ticket. Also, a defendant convicted of an offense that caused a financial loss may have to reimburse victims.<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n<p>The purposes of imposing a fine or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/restitution.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">restitution<\/a>&nbsp;include:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Punishing the offender for an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-law-basics\/infractions.html\">infraction<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges.html#Felony-vs-Misdemeanor\">misdemeanor, or felony offense<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>Helping to compensate the state, federal, or local government for prosecuting the offense<\/li>\r\n<li>Detering any future criminal acts such as fraud and other financial crimes<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>See how courts decide on fines and restitution in a criminal case. You can also consult with a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">defense attorney<\/a> about fines and other penalties for criminal charges. Defense lawyers often argue and negotiate to lower these fines for their clients.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>How and Why Fines Are Used in Criminal Sentencing<\/h2>\r\n<p>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/sentencing.html\">sentencing<\/a>&nbsp;judge has the discretion to impose a criminal fine on the defendant after conviction. For minor crimes and first offenses, judges often impose fines with no prison time or probation as an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/alternative-sentences.html\">alternative sentence<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Sometimes, the fine replaces a prison sentence or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/probation.html\">probation<\/a>, but the criminal conviction and criminal record will still stand. In other situations, the judge can sentence a defendant to both a fine plus probation or time behind bars.<\/p>\r\n<p>The decision to levy a criminal fine instead of prison time or probation depends on the following factors:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>The type of criminal case (for example, a felony or misdemeanor crime)<\/li>\r\n<li>The severity of the criminal charges (for example, first-degree&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-law-basics\/classifications-of-crimes.html#:~:text=State%20laws%20may,least%20severe%20punishment.\">Class A or Class B felony offenses<\/a>)<\/li>\r\n<li>The defendant&#8217;s criminal history (for example, no prior offenses or only petty crimes)<\/li>\r\n<li>Testimony of a defendant or their loved ones about financial costs directly related to the crime<\/li>\r\n<li>Measures taken by the defendant to make amends and correct their mistakes (such as community service)<\/li>\r\n<li>Whether the state law criminal statute carries&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/types-of-sentences.html\">minimum sentencing requirements<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>The totality of the circumstances (for example, whether the defendant was under duress or extreme stress)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Fines are often discussed during the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/plea-bargain.html\">plea bargain process<\/a>. At this stage, your&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">criminal defense lawyer<\/a>&nbsp;negotiates with the prosecution to resolve your case without going to trial. This could result in reduced charges against you or even a reduced sentence.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Fines vs. Restitution<\/h2>\r\n<p>Both criminal fines and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/restitution.html\">restitution<\/a>&nbsp;require the defendant to pay money as punishment for a crime, but they differ in one key way. Fines are paid to the government and court system, while restitution goes to the victims of a crime for their injuries.<\/p>\r\n<p>For example, if a graffiti artist spray-painted a public bench or traffic sign, they&#8217;re fined for vandalism. On the other hand, if the graffiti artist spray-painted a homeowner&#8217;s mailbox, they&#8217;re expected to pay restitution to the homeowner to compensate them for the damage or cost of repairs, in addition to any fines.<\/p>\r\n<p>Restitution is typically ordered at the sentencing hearing by the criminal court. So, crime victims seeking restitution must provide proof of expenses incurred due to the crime before sentencing. For example:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>The cost to replace stolen property<\/li>\r\n<li>Medical bills (including emergency services and physical therapy)<\/li>\r\n<li>Property damage and repair costs (quotes and\/or estimates to replace doors or locks)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>If a defendant objects to the restitution amount ordered, the courts will hold a contested restitution hearing. In&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/nycourts.gov\/courthelp\/criminal\/restitution.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New York<\/a>, the court may consider the defendant&#8217;s ability to pay before entering an order for restitution. The criminal justice system has programs such as the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/criminal-vns\/restitution-process#:~:text=At%20sentencing%2C%20the,her%20restitution%20obligations.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Inmate Financial Responsibility Program<\/a>. This allows federal inmates to allocate a percentage of their prison wages toward the restitution owed.<\/p>\r\n<h2>What Are Assessments and Surcharges?<\/h2>\r\n<p>Assessments and surcharges are separate fees after a criminal conviction.&nbsp;They can either be standalone fees or tacked onto the total cost of a fine. So even if a defendant doesn&#8217;t have to pay the maximum fine amount, these fees can result in a court debt.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>Jurisdictions vary in the collection of these fees. They usually use the revenue to help fund court services and support programs for victims.<\/p>\r\n<p>A&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/surcharge.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mandatory surcharge<\/a>&nbsp;is a fee imposed on a convicted defendant separate from fines and restitution.<\/p>\r\n<p>Assessment fees arise for defendants convicted of certain offenses, such as driving under the influence (DUI cases), and drug offenses, such as felony drug possession. These cases require additional testing before admission into a court-ordered program. A chemical dependency assessment is an example.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Differences in State Assessments and Surcharges<\/h3>\r\n<p>In&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.revisor.mn.gov\/statutes\/cite\/357.021#stat.357.021.6:~:text=Surcharges%20on%20criminal%20and%20traffic%20offenders\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Minnesota<\/a>, the court administrator collects a $75 surcharge on every person convicted of any felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor, or petty misdemeanor offense other than a parking violation. A person convicted must&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.revisor.mn.gov\/statutes\/cite\/169A.284\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pay the cost for any assessment<\/a>&nbsp;required directly to the entity conducting it. The statute also imposes a flat fee of $25.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/comptroller.nyc.gov\/reports\/fees-fines-and-fairness\/#:~:text=New%20York%20State%20imposes,to%20pay%20mandatory%20surcharges.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New York<\/a>&nbsp;charges mandatory surcharges and fees up to $375 on all who plead guilty to a crime or are convicted.<\/p>\r\n<p>Forty-eight states and the District of Columbia have statutes authorizing&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/finesandfeesjusticecenter.org\/content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Assessments-Surcharges-2.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mandatory assessment and surcharge fees<\/a>. Oregon eliminated its unitary assessment in 2012. Although Idaho charges several fees, no statutory fee is universally applicable to all cases.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Questions About Fines? Get in Touch With an Attorney<\/h2>\r\n<p>Compared to prison, a sentence involving a fine and probation may seem like a walk in the park. However, failure to abide by all the rules or pay fines and restitution can result in severe penalties, including:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>A warrant for nonpayment<\/li>\r\n<li>A civil judgment<\/li>\r\n<li>Collateral consequences (for example, suspension of a driver&#8217;s license)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you negotiate a lighter sentence and establish a payment plan for court fees and surcharges. Contact a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">criminal defense attorney<\/a>&nbsp;in your area to learn more about your options.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" 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