(1) A defendant
sentenced to pay a fine or costs who defaults in the payment
thereof or of any installment is in contempt of court as provided
in chapter 7.21 RCW. The court may issue a warrant of arrest for
his or her appearance.
(2) When a fine or assessment of costs is imposed on a
corporation or unincorporated association, it is the duty of the
person authorized to make disbursement from the assets of the
corporation or association to pay the fine or costs from those
assets, and his or her failure to do so may be held to be
contempt.
(3) If a term of imprisonment for contempt for nonpayment of
a fine or costs is ordered, the term of imprisonment shall be set
forth in the commitment order, and shall not exceed one day for
each twenty-five dollars of the fine or costs, thirty days if the
fine or assessment of costs was imposed upon conviction of a
violation or misdemeanor, or one year in any other case,
whichever is the shorter period. A person committed for
nonpayment of a fine or costs shall be given credit toward
payment for each day of imprisonment at the rate specified in the
commitment order.
(4) If it appears to the satisfaction of the court that the
default in the payment of a fine or costs is not contempt, the
court may enter an order allowing the defendant additional time
for payment, reducing the amount thereof or of each installment
or revoking the fine or costs or the unpaid portion thereof in
whole or in part.
(5) A default in the payment of a fine or costs or any
installment thereof may be collected by any means authorized by
law for the enforcement of a judgment. The levy of execution for
the collection of a fine or costs shall not discharge a defendant
committed to imprisonment for contempt until the amount of the
fine or costs has actually been collected.
[2010 c 8 § 1006; 1989 c 373 § 13; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 96 § 3.]
NOTES:
Severability -- 1989 c 373: See RCW 7.21.900.
Fine and costs -- Collection procedure, commitment for failure to pay, execution against defendant's property: Chapter 10.82 RCW.