Under what condition may the court waive a fine and costs for an indigent defendant?

• A. If each alternative method would impose a hardship
• B. If the defendant is indigent, the court must waive
• C. If the defendant pays a portion
• D. If the judge determines hardship is not present

Answer: (A)

When deciding about fines for someone who can’t pay, the key idea is fairness in how obligations are met. The court may waive the fine and costs only if there is no feasible way to satisfy it without causing hardship. In other words, if every alternative method to handle the payment would impose a burden on the defendant, the court can grant a waiver. This ensures the punishment doesn’t become an impossible hardship. If the person’s indigence is there but a workable alternative exists (like a reasonable payment plan or community service), a waiver isn’t appropriate. And if hardship isn’t present, meaning there’s a viable way to pay or fulfill the obligation, the court would not waive.