(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, Article 45A.251, or Article 45A.253, during or immediately after imposing a sentence in a case in which the defendant entered a plea in open court as provided by Article 27.14(a) or 27.16(a), the justice or judge shall inquire whether the defendant has sufficient resources or income to immediately pay all or part of the fine and costs.
(b) If the justice or judge determines that the defendant does not have sufficient resources or income to immediately pay all or part of the fine and costs, the justice or judge shall determine whether the fine and costs should be:
(1) subject to Article 45A.253(a), required to be paid at a later date or in a specified portion at designated intervals;
(2) discharged by performing community service under, as applicable, Article 45A.254, 45A.459, or 45A.460;
(3) waived in full or in part under Article 45A.257; or
(4) satisfied through any combination of methods under Subdivision (1), (2), or (3).

Text of article effective on January 01, 2025