NC H722

Courts must assess a defendant's ability to pay before imposing criminal court costs, considering factors such as income relative to federal poverty guidelines, receipt of public assistance, housing stability, mental health treatment status, and employment barriers

Failure-to-appear fee reduced from $200 to $100, and the $20 installment plan setup fee is eliminated for defendants paying court costs over time

Driver's license revocations solely for failure to appear in court or failure to pay fines, penalties, or court costs are prohibited, effective October 1, 2025

Court costs are eliminated for seat belt infractions (front seat penalty remains $25.50, rear seat $10), and the $250 community service program fee may be waived by a judge for good cause

Probation supervision fees ($40/month) must be waived when probation is extended solely to allow completion of monetary payment obligations