VA HB660

Courts may waive assessment of fees, either wholly or in part, in criminal or traffic cases for defendants determined to be indigent under existing financial criteria in § 19.2-159

Creates a presumption that indigent defendants are unable to pay fees and shall receive relief unless the court makes a specific finding to the contrary

Defendants previously deemed indigent during the pendency of their case automatically qualify for the presumption of inability to pay

Courts retain authority to partially or fully remit court debt previously imposed through show cause hearings or petitions under § 19.2-358

Amends existing law to add new § 19.2-362.1 as an exception allowing courts to remit fines and penalties for indigent defendants