Hon Rick Barker
Minister for Courts
17 September 2008
Proposals get tough on fine dodgers
Getting tough on people who don’t pay their fines is the message from a package of proposals announced today. These
measures are in addition to the highly successful collection of fines at airports, and the pay or stay campaigns run by
the Ministry of Justice.
“Proposals will be progressively introduced that will make it more difficult to avoid payment” said Mr Barker.
New measures proposed include suspending drivers’ licences for those with overdue vehicle-related fines, and allowing
the Court to seize vehicles that are heavily financed or are of low value.
“Vehicle owners will be made responsible for fines incurred in their vehicle regardless of who was driving,” said Mr
Barker.
People will be automatically referred back to the courts when fines get to a certain threshold. This will allow a judge
to take action to ensure offenders are penalised appropriately and fines do not get to unaffordable levels.
“Currently people seem to think that fines are ‘soft credit’ and they put other priorities ahead of getting them
resolved. This is what we intend to change,” said Mr Barker.
This proposal has been agreed in principle to allow the release of information about overdue fines and reparation to
credit agencies.
The Ministry of Justice will work closely with the Privacy Commissioner to determine the best way to progress these
proposals.
Under these proposals priority will also be given to fines and reparations in cases where the creditor had the ability
to know the person’s debts before extending credit.
“If you knew your fines might affect your ability to put a new TV on hire purchase, you might be more likely to call up
the court and make an arrangement to pay” said Mr Barker.
“To avoid all these measures, people just need contact the Court to pay, request to enter into a time to pay arrangement
or request to have their circumstances considered by a judge. Avoidance is not an option.
Other changes will see offenders whose sentence could have been influenced by offering to pay reparation, and then
failed to do so, brought back to court for the judge to reconsider sentencing.
These moves follow a review of the current infringement system and are designed to address the 2.7 million infringements
issued last year and the outstanding fines.
It is proposed that these measures be included in a Courts and Criminal Matters Bill that the government would look to
introduce sometime next year.
Minister Barker said he was again pleased by the level of collaboration between the Transport agencies, NZ Police and
Ministry of Justice.
“These proposals show how the work being undertaken by agencies will lead to fewer outstanding fines and safer roads for
the community.”
People can contact their local District Court or ring 0800 4 FINES to resolve any outstanding fines or reparation.
ENDS