(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.
