Non Payment Of Fines

[nailit]

My son was fined £360 in mags court over a month ago. It was to be paid at £5 p/w. Hes made no attempt to pay it and is burying his head in the sand hoping it will go away. Ive paid off some of his fines in the past but told him hes on his own now.

1) How long will it be before the courts start chasing him up for it (its been over 4 weeks now and not heard anything so far.

2) Presuming the next step will be bailiffs to recover the debt, approx. what value of goods would the bailiffs take to cover the debt (ie, if they took a £300 tv what would THEY value it at...auction cost?)

3) If it came to the point of having to be imprisoned for non payment, how long can he expect for a £360 fine?

Thanks.

[nailit]

Davemano, he lost his job a while back and isn't claiming any benefits. Hes been doing a bit of cash in hand work here and there since.

[Davemano]

In that case he may have to explain this if he appears before the court.

[david small]

Poor nailit I feel for you. It's almost as if your son is deliberately trying to cross the line. Testing the situation to see what happens. Cover your own back first, then let him find out.

[nailit]

Hes certainly pushing his luck DS, he'll have a shock when his backside lands in jail.

[Smowball]

Sorry to hear he still hasn't paid any of the fine nailit. Very frustrating for you x

[nailit]

Up to him now Smow, His mums paid previous fines, Ive helped with a previous lot, cant keep doing it. :-(

[Smowball]

I know the feeling! Right pair aren't we lol

[New Judge]

"The court can also take money for the fine from any employment wages or benefit he receives."

That will be attempted by the fines enforcement office before bailiffs are instructed. If that (and the bailiffs) fails only then will the matter return to court. The idea is that all avenues to recover the money have been explored and exhausted beforehand. When fines etc. are originally imposed the court makes a "collection order". This gives the fines office the powers to take those other steps without having to refer to the court.

[Davemano]

NJ The point I was making was that fine payments can be taken from wages and benefits and the fines officer acts on behalf of the court.

[EDDIE51]

Looks like he will just have to put up with doing a bit of time.
Sorry, but it could be worse, he will have a roof over his head and 3 meals a day. I think the jail time will only be 2 weeks or so.
In your situation I would view it as 2 weeks that you don't have to feed him and look after him. As you and I know jail is not that bad especially if 2 weeks porridge pays his fines off.

[Davemano]

And he might get his bus fare home.

[EDDIE51]

^ He will, fare home is paid when you leave nick, but it is a travel warrant not cash .

[nailit]

Not letting it bother me anymore EDDIE. He'll find prison hard going...hes quiet shy in some ways...but might teach him to take some responsibility (or face the consequences)
Tried to tell him that he's GOT to pay or else but he just goes of into a strop. Hes got £20 on him tonight but he's just gone out to get some weed with it rather than at least paying a fiver of his fines.

[EDDIE51]

^ That about says it all nalit!