What does a Fines Enforcement Officer (FEO) do?
A Fine Enforcement Officer has responsibility for:
- Enforcing fines;
- Giving advice to fine payers about how to make payments;
- Supporting those who want to pay and are struggling;
- Taking a range of actions against those who won't pay;
- Making sure that fine payers keep to the terms of the Enforcement Order (EO); and
- Making sure that fine payers know what will happen if they don't keep to the terms of the EO.
- Importantly, the Fines Enforcement Officer can give help and advice to fine payers who are genuinely having difficulties in paying their fines.
What powers do Fines Enforcement Officers have?
A Fines Enforcement Officer can enforce payment of a fine by using a range of sanctions including:
- Deduction from Benefits Orders (DBO);
- Earnings Arrestment Orders (EAO);
- Arrestment of Funds Orders (AFO); and
- Seizure of Vehicle Orders (SVO).
- I am struggling to pay my fine; can a Fines Enforcement Officer help me?
- A Fines Enforcement Officer can discuss your circumstances and may make a variation in your payment plan or may direct you to outside agencies for advice about your fine and other debts.
Why do I have to fill in a Declaration of Income (DOI) form?
A Fine Enforcement Officer is responsible for collecting and analysing all information about your income and expenditure. This information will help a Fine Enforcement Officer to make the right decision about individual payment plans. The Declaration of Income form will help a Fine Enforcement Officer to agree a realistic payment plan with you. The information in the Declaration of Income form will also help the Justice of the Peace or Sheriff decide whether a fine is suitable in the first place.
Who can I contact?
Each Sheriffdom has a Fines Enforcement Team, please visit the contact page.