Tex.
Code of Crim. Proc. Article 45.0445
Reconsideration of Satisfaction of Fine or Costs
(a)
If the defendant notifies the justice or judge that the defendant has difficulty paying the fine and costs in compliance with the judgment, the justice or judge shall hold a hearing to determine whether the judgment imposes an undue hardship on the defendant.(b)
For purposes of Subsection (a), a defendant may notify the justice or judge by:(1)
voluntarily appearing and informing the justice or judge or the clerk of the court in the manner established by the justice or judge for that purpose;(2)
filing a motion with the justice or judge;(3)
mailing a letter to the justice or judge; or(4)
any other method established by the justice or judge for that purpose.(c)
If the justice or judge determines at the hearing under Subsection (a) that the judgment imposes an undue hardship on the defendant, the justice or judge shall consider whether to allow the defendant to satisfy the fine and costs through one or more methods listed under Article 45.041(a-1).(d)
The justice or judge may decline to hold a hearing under Subsection (a) if the justice or judge:(1)
previously held a hearing under that subsection with respect to the case and is able to determine without holding a hearing that the judgment does not impose an undue hardship on the defendant; or(2)
is able to determine without holding a hearing that:(A)
the judgment imposes an undue hardship on the defendant; and(B)
the fine and costs should be satisfied through one or more methods listed under Article 45.041(a-1).(e)
The justice or judge retains jurisdiction for the purpose of making a determination under this article.(a)
If the defendant is not in custody when the judgment is rendered or if the defendant fails to satisfy the judgment according to its terms, the court may order a capias pro fine, as defined by Article 43.015 (Definitions), issued for the defendant’s arrest. The capias pro fine shall state the amount of the judgment and sentence, and command the appropriate peace officer to bring the defendant before the court immediately or place the defendant in jail until the business day following the date of the defendant’s arrest if the defendant cannot be brought before the court immediately.(a-1)
If the court that issued the capias pro fine is unavailable, the arresting officer may, in lieu of placing the defendant in jail, take the defendant to:(1)
a justice of the peace court or county criminal law magistrate court with jurisdiction over Class C misdemeanors that is located in the same county, if the court that issued the capias pro fine was a justice of the peace court; or(2)
a municipal court that is located in the same municipality, if the court that issued the capias pro fine was a municipal court.(a-1)
If the court that issued the capias pro fine is unavailable, the arresting officer may take the defendant to one of the following locations in lieu of placing the defendant in jail:(1)
if the court that issued the capias pro fine was a justice of the peace, to a justice of the peace or county criminal law magistrate court with jurisdiction over Class C misdemeanors that is located within the same county; or(2)
if the court that issued the capias pro fine was a municipal court, to a municipal court judge that is located within the same city.(a-2)
The court may not issue a capias pro fine for the defendant’s failure to satisfy the judgment according to its terms unless the court holds a hearing to determine whether the judgment imposes an undue hardship on the defendant and the defendant fails to:(1)
appear at the hearing; or(2)
comply with an order issued under Subsection (a-4) as a result of the hearing.(a-3)
If the justice or judge determines at the hearing under Subsection (a-2) that the judgment imposes an undue hardship on the defendant, the justice or judge shall determine whether the fine and costs should be satisfied through one or more methods listed under Article 45.041(a-1). The justice or judge retains jurisdiction for the purpose of making a determination under this subsection.(a-4)
If the justice or judge determines at the hearing under Subsection (a-2) that the judgment does not impose an undue hardship on the defendant, the justice or judge shall order the defendant to comply with the judgment not later than the 30th day after the date the determination is made.(a-5)
The court shall recall a capias pro fine if, before the capias pro fine is executed, the defendant:(1)
provides notice to the justice or judge under Article 45.0445 (Reconsideration of Satisfaction of Fine or Costs) and a hearing is set under that article; or(2)
voluntarily appears and makes a good faith effort to resolve the capias pro fine.(b)
A capias pro fine may not be issued for an individual convicted for an offense committed before the individual’s 17th birthday unless:(1)
the individual is 17 years of age or older;(2)
the court finds that the issuance of the capias pro fine is justified after considering:(A)
the sophistication and maturity of the individual;(B)
the criminal record and history of the individual; and(C)
the reasonable likelihood of bringing about the discharge of the judgment through the use of procedures and services currently available to the court; and(3)
the court has proceeded under Article 45.050 (Failure to Pay Fine; Failure to Appear; Contempt: Juveniles) to compel the individual to discharge the judgment.(c)
This article does not limit the authority of a court to order a child taken into custody under Article 45.058 (Children Taken into Custody).
Source:
Article 45.0445 — Reconsideration of Satisfaction of Fine or Costs, https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/htm/CR.45.htm#45.0445 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).
