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If you can't afford to pay the fine
Contact the Collections Office at the District Court as soon as possible and arrange to go and see someone and explain why you can't pay.
Take with you details of:
You can agree to have instalments deducted automatically from your bank account weekly, fortnightly or monthly - or you can go to the Collections Office and pay instalments in person.
In some cases you can agree to have instalments deducted straight from your wages, but this is usually only able to happen if you are in full time, permanent employment. Talk to the Collections (Fines) Officer at Court.
If you lose your job or you find it difficult to meet the payments for some other reason, contact the Collections Office immediately. They can have another look at your situation and may be able to reduce your payments or make other arrangements to help you. Don't leave doing this until you have built up a backlog of due payments - its better to get it sorted out straightaway.
If you are unable to pay even a small amount towards your fine, it may be possible to exchange your fine for community service. You will have to prove to the court that you are unable to pay. If you wish to do this, then you will need to apply at the District Court for a hearing. Speak to the Collections Officer at the court about arranging a hearing.
If you are doing periodic detention or are given a prison sentence, it is possible to have any fines that you owe remitted (removed). However, you will need to prove to the court that your financial situation means that you are unable to pay the fine. To do this, you will need to speak to the Collections Officer at the court or ask your lawyer to ask the judge for this when you are sentenced.
If you need budgeting advice, contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau for help. If you don't pay the fine and don't make arrangements with the Collections (Fines) Office for payment:
If you don't pay the fine or make arrangements with the Collections Office to pay it, you will have $100.00 added to your fine straight away. This is to cover the cost of getting the money from you and is in addition to the court costs of $30 and the amount of your original Infringement Notice. In some cases you may be sent a ’48 hour’ card. You must respond within 48 hours to avoid enforcement action. The Court has a wide range of powers to help it get the money owing from you. These powers are set out on the back of the notice you will have received.
They include:
Because your fine is now with the court for collection, you will have to pay it off within 18 months.
If a warrant is issued for your arrest the police could arrest you at any time. You may be appearing in Court for some other reason, you could be arrested when you are with your friends, you may even be re-entering the country after you've been overseas.
If you know or suspect that there is a warrant out for your arrest you can contact the District Court and arrange to make a voluntary appearance before a judge so that the matter can be sorted out.
Take with you details of:
- your pay or benefit;
- how much you pay for rent, food, and transport each week;
- details of any other payments you have to make (eg. court fines for other matters, child support and hire purchase etc);
- your bank account number (if you intend to pay by automatic payment);
- a bank statement;
- the registration and insurance details of any car or vehicle you have.
You can agree to have instalments deducted automatically from your bank account weekly, fortnightly or monthly - or you can go to the Collections Office and pay instalments in person.
In some cases you can agree to have instalments deducted straight from your wages, but this is usually only able to happen if you are in full time, permanent employment. Talk to the Collections (Fines) Officer at Court.
If you lose your job or you find it difficult to meet the payments for some other reason, contact the Collections Office immediately. They can have another look at your situation and may be able to reduce your payments or make other arrangements to help you. Don't leave doing this until you have built up a backlog of due payments - its better to get it sorted out straightaway.
If you are unable to pay even a small amount towards your fine, it may be possible to exchange your fine for community service. You will have to prove to the court that you are unable to pay. If you wish to do this, then you will need to apply at the District Court for a hearing. Speak to the Collections Officer at the court about arranging a hearing.
If you are doing periodic detention or are given a prison sentence, it is possible to have any fines that you owe remitted (removed). However, you will need to prove to the court that your financial situation means that you are unable to pay the fine. To do this, you will need to speak to the Collections Officer at the court or ask your lawyer to ask the judge for this when you are sentenced.
If you need budgeting advice, contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau for help.
If you don't pay the fine or make arrangements with the Collections Office to pay it, you will have $100.00 added to your fine straight away. This is to cover the cost of getting the money from you and is in addition to the court costs of $30 and the amount of your original Infringement Notice. In some cases you may be sent a ’48 hour’ card. You must respond within 48 hours to avoid enforcement action. The Court has a wide range of powers to help it get the money owing from you. These powers are set out on the back of the notice you will have received.
They include:
- The power to seize (take) your property (e.g. car, stereo) and sell them if you still don’t pay;
- The power to get your employer to pay part of your wages to the Court;
- The power to deduct money from your bank account;
- Putting a wheel clamp on your vehicle;
- A warrant can be issued for your arrest. You will be brought before a Judge and may be ordered to do community work or periodic detention;
- Putting a charging order over property you own, e.g. land or house;
- In cases where you have deliberately refused to pay for a long time, the Court may even send you to prison.
Because your fine is now with the court for collection, you will have to pay it off within 18 months.
If a warrant is issued for your arrest the police could arrest you at any time. You may be appearing in Court for some other reason, you could be arrested when you are with your friends, you may even be re-entering the country after you've been overseas.
If you know or suspect that there is a warrant out for your arrest you can contact the District Court and arrange to make a voluntary appearance before a judge so that the matter can be sorted out.
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Latest page update: made by YouthLaw
, May 18 2010, 9:46 PM EDT
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