Module 3 Question 2

Module 3 Exercises:

Question 2. Requested a hearing.

Defendant: Lisa Nguyen, a recent college graduate, has been cited for a parking violation. Lisa was placed on a payment plan for her parking fine. She initially made payments, but eventually was unable to keep up and missed a couple of payments. These missed payments resulted in additional fees being added to her original fine, making it increasingly difficult for her to keep up. Despite her best efforts, the accumulated fees now surpasses the amount she already paid. She called the court and learned that she could request a hearing about her ability to pay the fine. She followed the instructions and now appears for the requested hearing.

$670.00 Parking fine - This fine may not be waived or modified.
$75.00/month Payment plan
$225.00 of Payments made
$250.00 Late Fees ($50.00/month) - Late fees are waivable or modifiable under state statute for good cause.
Total: $695.00

Instructions: Conduct the ability to pay assessment using the chatbot below.

Lisa Ngyen Ability to Pay Assessment Bot

Loading QnA...

<div id='Q-1' name='Q-1' style='display:none;'> What would you like to ask Lisa a question about?
</div><div id='Q-1.1' name='Q-1.1' style='display:none;'> Lisa recently lost her job and is currently unemployed. Lisa's income from unemployment benefits would equate to an income of $19,000 a year, barely above 125% of the FPG in 2024. She has been actively seeking employment but is finding it challenging due to the competitive job market and her lack of work experience.<br><br>Would you like to ask another question?
</div><div id='Q-1.1.1' name='Q-1.1.1' style='display:none;'>GOTO:1</div><div id='Q-1.1.2' name='Q-1.1.2' style='display:none;'> What is your determination of Lisa's ability to pay and the proportionate sanction amount? GOTO:2</div><div id='Q-1.2' name='Q-1.2' style='display:none;'> Lisa currently receives unemployment benefits as she recently lost her job but receives no other benefits.<br><br>Would you like to ask another question?
</div><div id='Q-1.2.1' name='Q-1.2.1' style='display:none;'>GOTO:1</div><div id='Q-1.2.2' name='Q-1.2.2' style='display:none;'> What is your determination of Lisa’s ability to pay and the proportionate sanction amount? GOTO:2</div><div id='Q-1.3' name='Q-1.3' style='display:none;'> Lisa's financial resources are limited to a small amount of savings, which she has been using to cover her basic living expenses along with her unemployment benefits. She has accumulated significant credit card debt from her period of unemployment.<br><br>Would you like to ask another question?
</div><div id='Q-1.3.1' name='Q-1.3.1' style='display:none;'>GOTO:1</div><div id='Q-1.3.2' name='Q-1.3.2' style='display:none;'> What is your determination of Lisa’s ability to pay and the proportionate sanction amount? GOTO:2</div><div id='Q-1.4' name='Q-1.4' style='display:none;'>Lisa is not homeless but is at risk of eviction due to her inability to pay rent consistently. She is reserving her remaining savings to continue to pay as much rent as possible because she cannot use her credit card.<br><br>Would you like to ask another question?
</div><div id='Q-1.4.1' name='Q-1.4.1' style='display:none;'>GOTO:1</div><div id='Q-1.4.2' name='Q-1.4.2' style='display:none;'> What is your determination of Lisa’s ability to pay and the proportionate sanction amount? GOTO:2</div><div id='Q-1.5' name='Q-1.5' style='display:none;'>  Lisa's monthly expenses include rent, utilities, food, and student loan payments. She has accumulated significant credit card debt to cover these expenses during her period of unemployment. <br><br>Would you like to ask another question?
</div><div id='Q-1.5.1' name='Q-1.5.1' style='display:none;'>GOTO:1</div><div id='Q-1.5.2' name='Q-1.5.2' style='display:none;'> What is your determination of Lisa’s ability to pay and the proportionate sanction amount? GOTO:2</div><div id='Q-1.6' name='Q-1.6' style='display:none;'> Lisa has no dependents.<br><br>Would you like to ask another question?
</div><div id='Q-1.6.1' name='Q-1.6.1' style='display:none;'>GOTO:1</div><div id='Q-1.6.2' name='Q-1.6.2' style='display:none;'> What is your determination of Lisa’s ability to pay and the proportionate sanction amount? GOTO:2</div><div id='Q-1.7' name='Q-1.7' style='display:none;'> Lisa's efforts to acquire additional resources include applying for temporary gigs and part-time work, but her job search has been hindered by her lack of transportation and limited access to reliable internet for job applications.<br><br>Would you like to ask another question?
</div><div id='Q-1.7.1' name='Q-1.7.1' style='display:none;'>GOTO:1</div><div id='Q-1.7.2' name='Q-1.7.2' style='display:none;'> What is your determination of Lisa’s ability to pay and the proportionate sanction amount? GOTO:2</div><div id='Q-1.8' name='Q-1.8' style='display:none;'> The present matter is Lisa's only legal financial obligation to the court but she is concerned that paying the additional fines and fees would deplete her savings, leaving her without a financial cushion until she gets her next job.  <br><br>Would you like to ask another question?
</div><div id='Q-1.8.1' name='Q-1.8.1' style='display:none;'>GOTO:1</div><div id='Q-1.8.2' name='Q-1.8.2' style='display:none;'> What is your determination of Lisa’s ability to pay and the proportionate sanction amount? GOTO:2</div><div id='Q-2' name='Q-2' style='display:none;'>As a reminder, here are the fines and fees:<br> • $670.00 Parking Fine - This fine may not be waived or modified.<br>• $75.00/month Payment plan <br> • $225.00 Payments made <br>• $250.00 Late Fees ($50.00/month) - Late fees are waivable or modifiable under state statue for good cause.<br>• $695.00 Total
</div><div id='Q-2.1' name='Q-2.1' style='display:none;'>Incorrect, D. Waive the full amount of the waivable late fee and create a new payment plan for the remaining obligation, is the best answer. GOTO:3</div><div id='Q-2.2' name='Q-2.2' style='display:none;'>Incorrect, D. Waive the full amount of the waivable late fee and create a new payment plan for the remaining obligation, is the best answer. GOTO:3</div><div id='Q-2.3' name='Q-2.3' style='display:none;'>Incorrect, D. Waive the full amount of the waivable late fee and create a new payment plan for the remaining obligation, is the best answer. GOTO:3</div><div id='Q-2.4' name='Q-2.4' style='display:none;'>Correct! GOTO:3</div><div id='Q-2.5' name='Q-2.5' style='display:none;'>Incorrect, D. Waive the full amount of the waivable late fee and create a new payment plan for the remaining obligation, is the best answer. GOTO:3</div><div id='Q-3' name='Q-3' style='display:none;'> Here, the court does not have discretion to waive or modify the parking violation fine which limits the impact on the overall LFO. However, the payment plan and late fees are within the court’s control and make an important impact for Lisa. Waiving the late fees recognizes Lisa’s previous compliance and active participation with the court. Further, the original payment plan may have been proportionate with Lisa’s salary before she lost her job. A proportionate amount for LFO is typically more than 2% of the individual’s income. When Lisa lost her job, the monthly payment was almost 5% of her monthly income. A new payment plan should not be more than $30 a month, 2% of her salary.<br><br>
Payment plans can be powerful where the consideration of ability to pay is not assessed until the risk of incarceration is presented as required by Bearden. Payment plans are particularly important if your jurisdiction does not currently allow for waiver of particular legal financial obligations. For Lisa, this was the value of being able to request a hearing when there is a change of circumstances. 
</div><div id='A-1.1' name='A-1.1' style='display:none;'> Income.
</div><div id='A-href-1.1' name='A-href-1.1' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.1' name='A-target-1.1' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.1' name='X-1.1' style='display:none;'>Income.</div><div id='A-1.1.1' name='A-1.1.1' style='display:none;'> Yes, I have more questions.
</div><div id='A-href-1.1.1' name='A-href-1.1.1' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.1.1' name='A-target-1.1.1' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.1.1' name='X-1.1.1' style='display:none;'>Yes, I have more questions.</div><div id='A-1.1.2' name='A-1.1.2' style='display:none;'> No, I am ready to make the ability to pay determination.
</div><div id='A-href-1.1.2' name='A-href-1.1.2' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.1.2' name='A-target-1.1.2' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.1.2' name='X-1.1.2' style='display:none;'>No, I am ready to make the ability to pay determination.</div><div id='A-1.2' name='A-1.2' style='display:none;'> Benefits.
</div><div id='A-href-1.2' name='A-href-1.2' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.2' name='A-target-1.2' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.2' name='X-1.2' style='display:none;'>Benefits.</div><div id='A-1.2.1' name='A-1.2.1' style='display:none;'> Yes, I have more questions.
</div><div id='A-href-1.2.1' name='A-href-1.2.1' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.2.1' name='A-target-1.2.1' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.2.1' name='X-1.2.1' style='display:none;'>Yes, I have more questions.</div><div id='A-1.2.2' name='A-1.2.2' style='display:none;'> No, I am ready to make the ability to pay determination.
</div><div id='A-href-1.2.2' name='A-href-1.2.2' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.2.2' name='A-target-1.2.2' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.2.2' name='X-1.2.2' style='display:none;'>No, I am ready to make the ability to pay determination.</div><div id='A-1.3' name='A-1.3' style='display:none;'> Financial Resources and Assets.
</div><div id='A-href-1.3' name='A-href-1.3' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.3' name='A-target-1.3' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.3' name='X-1.3' style='display:none;'>Financial Resources and Assets.</div><div id='A-1.3.1' name='A-1.3.1' style='display:none;'> Yes, I have more questions.
</div><div id='A-href-1.3.1' name='A-href-1.3.1' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.3.1' name='A-target-1.3.1' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.3.1' name='X-1.3.1' style='display:none;'>Yes, I have more questions.</div><div id='A-1.3.2' name='A-1.3.2' style='display:none;'> No, I am ready to make the ability to pay determination.
</div><div id='A-href-1.3.2' name='A-href-1.3.2' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.3.2' name='A-target-1.3.2' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.3.2' name='X-1.3.2' style='display:none;'>No, I am ready to make the ability to pay determination.</div><div id='A-1.4' name='A-1.4' style='display:none;'> Living Situation. 
</div><div id='A-href-1.4' name='A-href-1.4' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.4' name='A-target-1.4' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.4' name='X-1.4' style='display:none;'>Living Situation.</div><div id='A-1.4.1' name='A-1.4.1' style='display:none;'> Yes, I have more questions.
</div><div id='A-href-1.4.1' name='A-href-1.4.1' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.4.1' name='A-target-1.4.1' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.4.1' name='X-1.4.1' style='display:none;'>Yes, I have more questions.</div><div id='A-1.4.2' name='A-1.4.2' style='display:none;'> No, I am ready to make the ability to pay determination.
</div><div id='A-href-1.4.2' name='A-href-1.4.2' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.4.2' name='A-target-1.4.2' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.4.2' name='X-1.4.2' style='display:none;'>No, I am ready to make the ability to pay determination.</div><div id='A-1.5' name='A-1.5' style='display:none;'> Living Expenses.
</div><div id='A-href-1.5' name='A-href-1.5' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.5' name='A-target-1.5' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.5' name='X-1.5' style='display:none;'>Living Expenses.</div><div id='A-1.5.1' name='A-1.5.1' style='display:none;'> Yes, I have more questions.
</div><div id='A-href-1.5.1' name='A-href-1.5.1' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.5.1' name='A-target-1.5.1' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.5.1' name='X-1.5.1' style='display:none;'>Yes, I have more questions.</div><div id='A-1.5.2' name='A-1.5.2' style='display:none;'> No, I am ready to make the ability to pay determination.
</div><div id='A-href-1.5.2' name='A-href-1.5.2' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.5.2' name='A-target-1.5.2' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.5.2' name='X-1.5.2' style='display:none;'>No, I am ready to make the ability to pay determination.</div><div id='A-1.6' name='A-1.6' style='display:none;'> Cost for Dependent Care.
</div><div id='A-href-1.6' name='A-href-1.6' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.6' name='A-target-1.6' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.6' name='X-1.6' style='display:none;'>Cost for Dependent Care.</div><div id='A-1.6.1' name='A-1.6.1' style='display:none;'> Yes, I have more questions.
</div><div id='A-href-1.6.1' name='A-href-1.6.1' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.6.1' name='A-target-1.6.1' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.6.1' name='X-1.6.1' style='display:none;'>Yes, I have more questions.</div><div id='A-1.6.2' name='A-1.6.2' style='display:none;'> No, I am ready to make the ability to pay determination.
</div><div id='A-href-1.6.2' name='A-href-1.6.2' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.6.2' name='A-target-1.6.2' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.6.2' name='X-1.6.2' style='display:none;'>No, I am ready to make the ability to pay determination.</div><div id='A-1.7' name='A-1.7' style='display:none;'> Efforts to Acquire Additional Resources.
</div><div id='A-href-1.7' name='A-href-1.7' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.7' name='A-target-1.7' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.7' name='X-1.7' style='display:none;'>Efforts to Acquire Additional Resources.</div><div id='A-1.7.1' name='A-1.7.1' style='display:none;'> Yes, I have more questions.
</div><div id='A-href-1.7.1' name='A-href-1.7.1' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.7.1' name='A-target-1.7.1' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.7.1' name='X-1.7.1' style='display:none;'>Yes, I have more questions.</div><div id='A-1.7.2' name='A-1.7.2' style='display:none;'> No, I am ready to make the ability to pay determination.
</div><div id='A-href-1.7.2' name='A-href-1.7.2' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.7.2' name='A-target-1.7.2' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.7.2' name='X-1.7.2' style='display:none;'>No, I am ready to make the ability to pay determination.</div><div id='A-1.8' name='A-1.8' style='display:none;'> Other Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs).
</div><div id='A-href-1.8' name='A-href-1.8' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.8' name='A-target-1.8' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.8' name='X-1.8' style='display:none;'>Other Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs).</div><div id='A-1.8.1' name='A-1.8.1' style='display:none;'> Yes, I have more questions.
</div><div id='A-href-1.8.1' name='A-href-1.8.1' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.8.1' name='A-target-1.8.1' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.8.1' name='X-1.8.1' style='display:none;'>Yes, I have more questions.</div><div id='A-1.8.2' name='A-1.8.2' style='display:none;'> No, I am ready to make the ability to pay determination.
</div><div id='A-href-1.8.2' name='A-href-1.8.2' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-1.8.2' name='A-target-1.8.2' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-1.8.2' name='X-1.8.2' style='display:none;'>No, I am ready to make the ability to pay determination.</div><div id='A-2.1' name='A-2.1' style='display:none;'> A. Require Lisa to pay the full amount today. 
</div><div id='A-href-2.1' name='A-href-2.1' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-2.1' name='A-target-2.1' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-2.1' name='X-2.1' style='display:none;'>A. Require Lisa to pay the full amount today.</div><div id='A-2.2' name='A-2.2' style='display:none;'>B.Create a new payment plan for the full amount. 
</div><div id='A-href-2.2' name='A-href-2.2' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-2.2' name='A-target-2.2' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-2.2' name='X-2.2' style='display:none;'>B.Create a new payment plan for the full amount.</div><div id='A-2.3' name='A-2.3' style='display:none;'> C. Waive some of the waivable late fee and create a new payment plan for the remaining obligation. 
</div><div id='A-href-2.3' name='A-href-2.3' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-2.3' name='A-target-2.3' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-2.3' name='X-2.3' style='display:none;'>C. Waive some of the waivable late fee and create a new payment plan for the remaining obligation.</div><div id='A-2.4' name='A-2.4' style='display:none;'> D. Waive the full amount of the waivable late fee and create a new payment plan for the remaining obligation.
</div><div id='A-href-2.4' name='A-href-2.4' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-2.4' name='A-target-2.4' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-2.4' name='X-2.4' style='display:none;'>D. Waive the full amount of the waivable late fee and create a new payment plan for the remaining obligation.</div><div id='A-2.5' name='A-2.5' style='display:none;'> E. Waive the full amount of the waivable late fee and require payment for the full amount today.
</div><div id='A-href-2.5' name='A-href-2.5' style='display:none;'>javascript:void('');</div><div id='A-target-2.5' name='A-target-2.5' style='display:none;'></div><div id='X-2.5' name='X-2.5' style='display:none;'>E. Waive the full amount of the waivable late fee and require payment for the full amount today.</div>
<script>
	var QVnames = [['1','1'],['1.1','1.1'],['1.1.1','1.1.1'],['1.1.2','1.1.2'],['1.2','1.2'],['1.2.1','1.2.1'],['1.2.2','1.2.2'],['1.3','1.3'],['1.3.1','1.3.1'],['1.3.2','1.3.2'],['1.4','1.4'],['1.4.1','1.4.1'],['1.4.2','1.4.2'],['1.5','1.5'],['1.5.1','1.5.1'],['1.5.2','1.5.2'],['1.6','1.6'],['1.6.1','1.6.1'],['1.6.2','1.6.2'],['1.7','1.7'],['1.7.1','1.7.1'],['1.7.2','1.7.2'],['1.8','1.8'],['1.8.1','1.8.1'],['1.8.2','1.8.2'],['2','2'],['2.1','2.1'],['2.2','2.2'],['2.3','2.3'],['2.4','2.4'],['2.5','2.5'],['3','3']];
</script>

^{Create your own chatbot with QnA Markup.}