Texas Statutes
Subchapter . B. Procedures for Justice and Municipal Courts
Article 45.0491. Waiver of Payment of Fines and Costs for Certain Defendants and for Children

(a) A municipal court, regardless of whether the court is a court of record, or a justice court may waive payment of all or part of a fine imposed on a defendant if the court determines that:
(1) the defendant is indigent or does not have sufficient resources or income to pay all or part of the fine or was, at the time the offense was committed, a child as defined by Article 45.058(h); and
(2) discharging the fine under Article 45.049 or as otherwise authorized by this chapter would impose an undue hardship on the defendant.
(b) A defendant is presumed to be indigent or to not have sufficient resources or income to pay all or part of the fine or costs for purposes of Subsection (a) or (d) if the defendant:
(1) is in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services, or was in the conservatorship of that department at the time of the offense; or
(2) is designated as a homeless child or youth or an unaccompanied youth, as those terms are defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 11434a, or was so designated at the time of the offense.
(c) A determination of undue hardship made under Subsection (a)(2) is in the court's discretion. In making that determination, the court may consider, as applicable, the defendant's:
(1) significant physical or mental impairment or disability;
(2) pregnancy and childbirth;
(3) substantial family commitments or responsibilities, including child or dependent care;
(4) work responsibilities and hours;
(5) transportation limitations;
(6) homelessness or housing insecurity; and
(7) any other factors the court determines relevant.
(d) A municipal court, regardless of whether the court is a court of record, or a justice court may waive payment of all or part of the costs imposed on a defendant if the court determines that the defendant:
(1) is indigent or does not have sufficient resources or income to pay all or part of the costs; or
(2) was, at the time the offense was committed, a child as defined by Article 45.058(h).
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1263 (H.B. 3060), Sec. 18, eff. September 1, 2007.
Amended by:
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1320 (S.B. 395), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1407 (S.B. 393), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 977 (H.B. 351), Sec. 17, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1127 (S.B. 1913), Sec. 16, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1352 (S.B. 346), Sec. 3.12, eff. January 1, 2020.

Text of article as added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 227 (H.B. 350), Sec. 1

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