Opinion ID: 2000971
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Whether the Sentencing Judge Improperly Failed to Consider Defendant's Ability to Pay Restitution.

Text: As a final issue, defendant contends that in ordering restitution the sentencing judge failed to take into account his ability to pay. In another case decided today, we have established two principles that preclude us from granting relief to defendant in this regard. First, it does not appear in the present case that the plan of restitution contemplated by Iowa Code section 910.3 was complete at the time the notice of appeal was filed. Until this is done, the court is not required to give consideration to the defendant's ability to pay. State v. Swartz, 601 N.W.2d 348, 354 (Iowa 1999). Second, Iowa Code section 910.7 permits an offender who is dissatisfied with the amount of restitution required by the plan to petition the district court for a modification. Unless that remedy has been exhausted, we have no basis for reviewing the issue in this court. Id. We have considered all issues presented and conclude that the judgment of the district court should be affirmed. AFFIRMED.