The court may, for good cause shown, and subject to the provisions of this section, grant permission for the payment of a penalty assessed pursuant to this chapter to be made within a specified period of time or in specified installments, provided however that the payment schedule fixed by the court shall require the defendant to pay the penalty in the shortest period of time consistent with the nature and extent of his assets and his ability to pay, and further provided that the prosecutor shall be afforded the opportunity to present evidence or information concerning the nature, extent and location of the defendant’s assets or interests in property which are or might be subject to levy and execution. In such event, the court may only grant permission for the payment to be made within a specified period of time or installments with respect to that portion of the assessed penalty which would not be satisfied by the liquidation of property which is or may be subject to levy and execution, unless the court finds that the immediate liquidation of such property would result in undue hardship to innocent persons. If no permission to make payment within a specified period of time or in installments is embodied in the sentence, the entire penalty shall be payable forthwith.

L.1997,c.187,s.2