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Bill

HB 660

Court fines and fees; waiver of fees for indigent defendant.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bonita Anthony and 7 co-sponsors

Virginia bill would require courts to waive fines and fees for indigent criminal defendants, shifting court funding burden away from defendants unable to pay.

Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (7-Y 0-N)
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Bill Summary · HB 660

Legislative bill overview

HB 660 would require Virginia courts to waive court fines and fees for defendants who cannot afford to pay them due to indigency. The bill aims to prevent poor defendants from facing additional financial hardship through the criminal justice system while ensuring court operations continue through alternative funding mechanisms.

Why is this important

Court fines and fees disproportionately burden low-income defendants, often creating cycles of debt and additional legal consequences when people cannot pay. This impacts access to justice and raises constitutional concerns about equal treatment under law. The bill addresses whether courts should fund operations through charges on people least able to pay.

Potential points of contention

  • Revenue impact: Courts rely partly on fine and fee revenue; the bill requires identifying alternative funding sources, which the fiscal impact statement likely addresses and which may require general fund appropriations
  • Definition and determination of indigency: Questions remain about who qualifies, what documentation is required, and who determines eligibility, potentially creating administrative burdens
  • Implementation variation: Different courts may interpret and apply waiver criteria inconsistently, creating fairness concerns and potential disparate outcomes across judicial districts

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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