A fines report published today shows that collection rates remain strong and enforcement action continues to bring in payment.
The Scottish Court Service (SCS) has a range of measures in place to ensure fines are paid which includes clamping cars, and deducting money directly from wages, bank accounts or benefits.
If a warrant has been issued, fine defaulters can also be arrested at air and ferry ports. One lorry driver, who failed to pay a fine issued at Dumfries Justice of the Peace Court, was recently arrested as he attempted to board a flight at Heathrow Airport.
The man, who had failed to pay a fine imposed for exceeding the daily driving limit, was attempting to catch a flight to Poland when he was stopped in his tracks by police.
He was only allowed to continue on his way when his partner paid the fine in full over the phone. If he had been unable to make payment, he would have been arrested and taken into custody to appear in court.
The lorry driver had been sent a warning letter, but when he failed to respond, or supply a home address, a warrant was issued for his arrest.
“If you are planning a trip abroad, you should ensure that all outstanding fines are paid before booking your ticket,” warns Scottish Court Service Chief Operations Officer Cliff Binning. “Otherwise you risk being stopped at the airport by the police and having your travel plans disrupted.”
A report released today shows that fines collection rates remain strong with 86% of the value of sheriff court fines imposed between April, 2011 and March, 2014, either being paid or on track to be paid through instalments.
All defaulters are issued warnings before action is taken and those in genuine financial difficulty can engage with enforcement officers to discuss payment terms.
Most fines can be paid on our secure website at www.scotcourts.gov.uk/payyourfine. Only fines which involve the endorsement of a driving licence with penalty points cannot be paid electronically including some police traffic tickets and penalties issued by the Safety Camera Partnerships for speeding or running a red light. In these instances offenders can post their licence to: Scottish Court Service, Central Processing Unit, PO Box 23, Glasgow, G59 9DA or take it in person to any Scottish court.
Notes:
- A copy of the most recent SCS Quarterly Fines Report is available at: http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/about-the-scottish-court-service/reports-data.
- Many fines are paid by instalments over the course of two or more years which will affect collection rate figures.
- Most of the money collected through fines payment is sent to the UK Treasury under devolution arrangements set up within the Scotland Act 1998.