Hall

Introduction

Appellant Mark Hall challenges the trial court’s order requiring him to perform community service in lieu of paying the costs of probation. We *891 conclude the trial court erred by failing to conduct a hearing regarding appellant’s ability to pay and by ordering him to perform community service in lieu of monetary payment.

Background and Procedural History

Appellant, who had a prior felony conviction, pled guilty to possessing a firearm. (Pen. Code, § 12021, subd. (a)(1).) On March 9, 1998, the trial court suspended imposition of sentence and placed appellant on probation on conditions including service of 181 days in jail and payment of $200 as a restitution fine (Pen. Code, § 1202.4, subd. (b)).

On May 22, 2000, appellant appeared at a hearing on a possible probation violation. The court announced that appellant owed $840 and the Probation Department sought to convert that amount to 160 hours of community service. A report by appellant’s probation officer revealed that the $840 comprised a $200 restitution fine, a $20 “restitution fine service charge,” a $570 cost of probation services, and a $50 “collection installment fee.” Appellant told the court…