When a defendant defaults in payment of a fine and the court determines that the defendant is indigent, the court must waive payment of the fine and court costs.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. The court must waive only the fine
• D. The court must waive costs only

Answer: (B)

When someone is indigent, the court does consider their ability to pay and may adjust or waive penalties. However, waiving both the fine and all court costs is not automatic in every case. The court might waive the fine, but still impose or allow for payment of court costs, or it might require an alternative remedy such as community service or a payment plan. Because the outcome depends on statutes and the judge’s discretion, the statement that the court must waive payment of both the fine and court costs is not universally true.