Is it true that a court may require a defendant to perform community service for failing to pay a fine?

A court may indeed require a defendant to perform community service as a form of punishment or rehabilitation when they fail to pay a fine. This practice is often part of a broader approach to address non-payment of fines, particularly when financial hardship is a factor. Community service provides an alternative to incarceration and allows the defendant to fulfill their obligations to society while potentially alleviating their financial burden.

In many jurisdictions, if a defendant cannot pay a fine, the court has the discretion to impose community service as a means to ensure accountability and restore justice without imposing excessive hardship. This approach aligns with the principles of restorative justice, aiming to engage the offender in a constructive way to contribute positively to the community.

While there are other factors that might influence whether community service is mandated, such as the circumstances of the non-payment or the defendant's history, the requirement can stand on its own based solely on the inability to pay the imposed fine. Thus, the notion that a court can mandate community service in this scenario is fundamentally accurate.