46-18-231. Fines in felony and misdemeanor cases. (1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (1)(b), whenever, upon a verdict of guilty or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, an offender has been found guilty of an offense for which a felony penalty of imprisonment could be imposed, the sentencing judge may, in lieu of or in addition to a sentence of imprisonment, impose a fine only in accordance with subsection (3).
     (b) For those crimes for which penalties are provided in the following sections, a fine may be imposed in accordance with subsection (3) in addition to a sentence of imprisonment:
     (i) 45-5-103(4), mitigated deliberate homicide;
     (ii) 45-5-202, aggravated assault;
     (iii) 45-5-213, assault with a weapon;
     (iv) 45-5-302(2), kidnapping;
     (v) 45-5-303(2), aggravated kidnapping;
     (vi) 45-5-401(2), robbery;
     (vii) 45-5-502(3), sexual assault when the victim is less than 16 years old and the offender is 3 or more years older than the victim or the offender inflicts bodily injury in the course of committing the sexual assault;
     (viii) 45-5-503(2) and (3), sexual intercourse without consent;
     (ix) 45-9-101(2), (3), and (5)(d), criminal possession with intent to distribute a narcotic drug, criminal possession with intent to distribute a dangerous drug included in Schedule I or Schedule II, or other criminal possession with intent to distribute a dangerous drug;
     (x) 45-9-102(4), criminal possession of an opiate;
     (xi) 45-9-103(2), criminal possession of an opiate with an intent to distribute; and
     (xii) 45-9-109, criminal possession with intent to distribute dangerous drugs on or near school property.
     (2) Whenever, upon a verdict of guilty or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, an offender has been found guilty of an offense for which a misdemeanor penalty of a fine could be imposed, the sentencing judge may impose a fine only in accordance with subsection (3).
     (3) The sentencing judge may not sentence an offender to pay a fine unless the offender is or will be able to pay the fine. In determining the amount and method of payment, the sentencing judge shall take into account the nature of the crime committed, the financial resources of the offender, and the nature of the burden that payment of the fine will impose.
     (4) Any fine levied under this section in a felony case shall be in an amount fixed by the sentencing judge not to exceed $50,000.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 198, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 106, Ch. 370, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 610, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 575, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 42, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 519, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 52, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 21, Ch. 395, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 18, Ch. 432, L. 1999.