Court Rejects Collection Of Court Fees From Disability Money

PROSSER, Wash. (AP) — The state Supreme Court has ruled that a woman getting federal disability payments shouldn't have been ordered to use that money to pay $15 per month toward a criminal case.

The high court made the ruling Thursday in the case of 27-year-old Briana Wakefield, a woman who is homeless, disabled and indigent.

Three years ago, Judge Katy Butler ordered the payments and ruled there was no evidence that Wakefield has a permanent disability preventing her from working and covering her legal financial obligations.

The high court said the judge erred, saying the fact that Wakefield qualifies for Social Security disability is evidence that Wakefield has a permanent disability that prevents her from working.

The court also issued an opinion to provide guidance to prosecutors and judges when addressing a person's ability to pay.