Fines can be a distressing situation for anyone, especially when you cannot afford the cost. As leading Traffic Offence lawyers in Sydney, we often get individuals asking us for help with their unpaid traffic offence fines. Fortunately, there are some alternative avenues for traffic offenders who can’t afford to pay large sums of money all at once.

To make paying fines and overdue fines a more straightforward experience for our clients, as traffic infringement lawyers in Sydney, we put together some general and helpful information to guide you on what happens if you do not pay the amount owing for a traffic offence fine or need another solution to paying a fine.

What Are the Options with a Traffic Offence Fine?

A fine is a financial penalty set up by the government as a consequence for allegedly breaking the law. Notably, a traffic offence fine can be given for various reasons, including driving above the speed limit, running a red light, illegal mobile phone use, driving under the influence, negligent driving, dangerous driving, etc.

When you receive a fine, a due date will be set, which signals the last day you can pay the fine without obtaining any further consequences. It is helpful to understand that Revenue NSW collects debts for the New South Wales Government.

If you have received a traffic infringement fine or have received an overdue fine, Revenue NSW allows several options for payment, including:

• Pay the fine in full.

• Ask for a fine review which may drop the charges. If you or your traffic offence lawyer can prove your identity was misused, you did not own the vehicle at the time, or your vehicle was not at the location at the time of the offence.

• Set up a payment plan with a Sydney traffic lawyer and pay the fine in instalments, but you must pay the fine in full immediately if you miss one payment.

• Challenge the fine in court. If you disagree with the fine, you should hire an experienced traffic infringement lawyer in Sydney to give you the best possible outcome.

• Apply for a write off if you are facing severe financial, medical or any other problems.

• Apply for a Work and Development Order which will pay off your fine when you complete unpaid work or activities. This can include a course, therapy, or another treatment suitable for a person’s unique situation and when experiencing exceptional circumstances.

What Are the Consequences of an Overdue Traffic Offence Fine?

The best course of action when receiving a traffic offence fine is to deal with it as soon as possible. Even if you have just received your penalty notice or traffic offence fine and are not sure what to do next or need help understanding the process, a traffic infringement lawyer in Sydney will be able to provide you will expert advice on how to proceed.

Although, if no course of action has been taken to Revenue NSW within 21 days of being served the traffic offence fine, you will receive a penalty reminder notice which gives you a further 28 days to pay the fine. Still left unpaid, you will receive an overdue fine which is added to the final cost, generally, this is $65 extra.

Unlike other states in Australia, luckily, in New South Wales, failure to pay a traffic offence fine does not result in imprisonment.

However, not paying a fine is a serious offence.  If a person has received a traffic offence fine and does not pay the total amount or make arrangements to pay the fine by instalments, according to NSW Communities and Justice, Revenue NSW may:

• Direct Transport NSW to cancel your driver’s licence – meaning you cannot drive – or cancel your motor vehicle registration – meaning you cannot drive that vehicle. If your licence is suspended or your registration is revoked, you will usually have to pay the full amount you owe to get your licence or car registration back.

• Getting the sheriff to seize your personal belongings and property and sell them at a public auction. This is implemented through a private debt collection company.

• Take money directly from your wages by contacting your employer and requiring them to deduct money to pay off your outstanding fines. Or Revenue NSW can take money directly out of your bank account.

• Issuing an examination summons which is an order to attend court, so they can determine what action should be taken for your non-payment of fines. In any circumstance involving court, that individual should hire the one of the best criminal lawyers in Sydney to give them the best possible outcome – because if the person does not turn up, a warrant can be issued for arrest.

• Placing a charge on your land or interest on your house until the outstanding fines are paid. This means a person can not sell these properties without paying the debt off.

• Giving a community service order, which would pay the fine off.

• Notify the state or territory authorities who may then take enforcement action against you.

• Suspend visitor driving privileges if you hold a licence from another state or territory.

As you can see, slowly, a minor traffic infringement fine can turn into a severe criminal offence. Even though receiving imprisonment for a penalty was abolished in New South Wales by Section 125 of the Fines Act 1966, if a person refuses to comply with Community Corrections Orders or Community Service Orders – a person may end up in prison. Similarly, if a person drives with a suspended license, they can also end up in jail.

If you receive any of the above consequences, you should seek legal advice immediately; seeking an experience Traffic Infringement Lawyer in Sydney or an experienced Sydney Criminal Defence Lawyer will help your case. Remembering that repeat offenders can face harsher consequences, more significant fines and imprisonment.

Searching for Experienced Traffic Offence Lawyer Sydney?

When searching for a traffic offence lawyer to defend your case, it is imperative that you find a reputable Traffic Lawyer in Sydney, who has both experience and a high success rate in helping their clients achieve positive outcomes.  Whether you face a, a minor traffic offence, a major traffic offence, or any other type of infringement, an experienced traffic offence lawyer in Sydney is imperative to your case in providing you with the best possible defence.

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