Court & Hearings

They are costs you must pay if you are convicted or plead guilty in a criminal or traffic case. These assessments are set by law and are different from fines or restitution. You will get a court document, usually part of your sentencing order, that lists any assessments you owe.

A waiver A document that gives up a legal right or excuses a requirement only applies to criminal court A court where a person is accused of a crime in front of a judge. The other side of the case is the State of Illinois, represented by a State's Attorney. The person accused is called the defendant. Criminal courts are different from civil courts, where two people or businesses can bring problems in front of a judge. assessments. It does not apply in:

• Civil cases
• Juvenile For misdemeanor offenses, a defendant is considered a juvenile if the offense occurred when they were 17 or younger.For felony offenses, a defendant is considered a juvenile if the offense occurred when they were 16 or younger. cases
• Traffic cases, unless you are in Cook County. In Cook County, the waiver forms can only be used for certain traffic and petty offenses listed in Schedules 2, 6, 9, 10, and 13 of Article 15 of the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act.

The waiver also does not cover:

• Fines
• Restitution, which is money owed to a victim
• Taxes or other separate penalties

You may qualify if:

• You get certain public benefits, like SNAP (food stamps), SSI, TANF, AABD, GA, or Medicaid.
• Your income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL). If your income is above 200% but below 400% FPL, you may qualify for a partial waiver. A document that gives up a legal right or excuses a requirement
• Paying the assessments would cause you serious financial hardship.

Yes. If your income is between 200% and 400% of the federal poverty level, the judge may grant a partial waiver. A document that gives up a legal right or excuses a requirement You may then be ordered to pay 25%, 50%, or 75% of the assessments, depending on your income.

To apply, fill out the required forms and file them with the circuit court clerk.

• Use our Criminal court fee waiver easy form to fill out your forms and get filing instructions at the end.
• You can also download the forms and instructions directly from the Illinois Courts website.

You must file your application no later than 30 days after your sentencing date.

Not always. The judge may decide based only on your forms. If the judge needs more information, you will get a notice to attend a hearing. When the parties in a case present their sides of a case to a judge or other officer

The judge can:

• Grant a full waiver: A document that gives up a legal right or excuses a requirement you pay nothing
• Grant a partial waiver: you pay part of the assessments
• Deny To refuse or say no the waiver: you pay all assessments

The judge may also allow you to: 

• Pay in installments
• Delay payment
• Use another reasonable payment plan

If you do not pay on time, the court may:

• Send your case to collections
• Extend your probation, A criminal court sentence which releases a person into the community. They are under supervision and given certain conditions. supervision, or conditional discharge until you pay
• Hold you in contempt of court When someone violates a court order or disrespects the court

If you posted a cash bond, the court may use it to cover assessments before returning any leftover money.

No. It is free to apply for a waiver of criminal or traffic assessments.