Section 977.076. Collections.

 

(1)  If the state public defender notifies the court in which the underlying action was filed that a person who is required to reimburse the state public defender for legal representation has failed to make the required payment or to timely make periodic payments, the court may issue a judgment on behalf of the state for the unpaid balance and direct the clerk of circuit court to file and docket a transcript of the judgment, without fee. If the court issues a judgment for the unpaid balance, the court shall send a notice to the person at his or her last-known address that a civil judgment has been issued for the unpaid balance. The judgment has the same force and effect as judgments issued under s. 806.10 . Except as provided in ss. 48.275 (2) (b) and 938.275 (2) (b) , the judgment shall be based on the person's ability to pay and on the fee schedule established by the board under s. 977.075 (3) .

(2)  The department of administration may collect unpaid reimbursement payments to the state public defender ordered by a court under sub. (1) or s. 48.275 (2) , 757.66 , 938.275 (2) (a) or 973.06 (1) (e) . The department may contract with a private collection agency to collect these payments. Section 16.705 does not apply to a contract under this subsection.

1995 a. 27 , 77 , 352 , 417 ; 1997 a. 35 .