Payment options for criminal fines and fees.

Existing law requires a court to charge various fines, fees, penalties, and assessments for criminal defendants, including fines assessed as a penalty for a crime, restitution fines, and fees for the support and maintenance of the courts, as specified. This bill would require a defendant or ward to be given the opportunity to pay a fine, fee, or assessment related to a criminal proceeding or conviction, or a juvenile proceeding involving a misdemeanor or felony, except for an order of victim restitution, with a payment plan. The bill would authorize a defendant or ward to be charged a fee for processing an installment account and a fee for processing a credit card transaction, and would generally authorize a reduction of the fine if the defendant or ward establishes autopayment linked to a valid bank account. The bill would authorize a willful violation of an order establishing a payment plan to be punished as contempt. By expanding the crime of contempt, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.