How do I pay a fine?

Engine No.9

Was in the court this morning for having no NCT on the car some time last year and not producing it. The judge fined me for not having the "NCT displayed (€250) and took the no-production of documents into consideration in this matter." Words almost identical to that but I'm not sure exactly.

As I had no legal aid present and defended myself, I had no way to find out how to pay the fine. Should I wait for a fine to arrive in the post? How long will that take to come through? I was given 8 weeks to pay plus 2 days in default (again, something similar to this was said, but unsure what exactly), what does this default thing mean.

Say for argument sake then I'm unable to afford it, what happens then? Can I ask for an instalment plan or what?

Also, for defendants who made no appearance, he mentioned the word convict, so I assume there's a conviction on their records, but no such mention during my hearing, do I now have a conviction for a road traffic offence even though he never said the word convict!? Many who were present also did not have the word convict associated with their case.

Apologies for all the questions, it's the first time I've ever had to deal with stuff like this and to be honest, I'm just a bit overwhelmed.

coylemj

Everyone who got a fine in that court was 'convicted' of an offence of some sort. In Dublin the cases tend to be compartmentalised into particular courts so if you were in Dublin, that judge was probably doing exclusively minor road traffic act (RTA) offences. Drunk driving and dangerous driving cases (which tend to be vigorously defended so they take longer) are usually held in other courts, your court was probably processing cases like an assembly-line though the parking court probably has the highest throughput since there's so many 'no shows'.

You will get a letter from the court office telling you how to pay the fine.

coylemj

pajopearl wrote: »

I was given 8 weeks to pay plus 2 days in default (again, something similar to this was said, but unsure what exactly), what does this default thing mean.

When you get a fine on conviction, the judge has to set down a term of imprisonment in the event that you 'default' on the fine i.e. you won't or can't pay it.

If you have an issue about paying, wait a couple of weeks after the letter arrives, then contact the warrants officer in your local Garda station, he or she will get the paperwork (the warrant) outlining your fine, the time you have to pay and the default term of imprisonment. They may allow you some leeway on the time but I wouldn't suggest paying by instalments, I don't think they can handle that.

gustafo

i have had a few fines like this over the last few years and i have never paid them, i always wait for the copper to call to take me inside, the most i have done is 2-3 hours in a holding cell got given something to eat and then they gave me the cost of my journey home( bus or train, tis gas ill never pay any sort of fines again ill take the default any day.

NoQuarter

What the hell. That's some advice!

gustafo

NoQuarter wrote: »

What the hell. That's some advice!

it's not advise i'm sure he can make his own mind up but it's a no brainer in my eyes, 3 4 5 hundred fine or a few hours sitting on your hole getting fed and fine gone..

Engine No.9

gustafo wrote: »

i have had a few fines like this over the last few years and i have never paid them, i always wait for the copper to call to take me inside, the most i have done is 2-3 hours in a holding cell got given something to eat and then they gave me the cost of my journey home( bus or train, tis gas ill never pay any sort of fines again ill take the default any day.

While I take it I've been convicted of a Road Traffic Offence, wouldn't this course of action lead to me getting a criminal conviction for contempt of court?

Dave 101

pajopearl wrote: »

Was in the court this morning for having no NCT on the car some time last year and not producing it. The judge fined me for not having the "NCT displayed (€250) and took the no-production of documents into consideration in this matter." Words almost identical to that but I'm not sure exactly.

As I had no legal aid present and defended myself, I had no way to find out how to pay the fine. Should I wait for a fine to arrive in the post? How long will that take to come through? I was given 8 weeks to pay plus 2 days in default (again, something similar to this was said, but unsure what exactly), what does this default thing mean.

Say for argument sake then I'm unable to afford it, what happens then? Can I ask for an instalment plan or what?

Also, for defendants who made no appearance, he mentioned the word convict, so I assume there's a conviction on their records, but no such mention during my hearing, do I now have a conviction for a road traffic offence even though he never said the word convict!? Many who were present also did not have the word convict associated with their case.

Apologies for all the questions, it's the first time I've ever had to deal with stuff like this and to be honest, I'm just a bit overwhelmed.

you will get up to five letters on how to pay, ring 018886000 if you want to find out sooner

2 days in default is the length of time youll do in prison if you don't pay

no instalment plans available

yes you have a conviction for a road traffic offence (once you received a fine its a conviction)

Dave 101

pajopearl wrote: »

While I take it I've been convicted of a Road Traffic Offence, wouldn't this course of action lead to me getting a criminal conviction for contempt of court?

no the fine will be paid by way of mitigation

SamAK

gustafo wrote: »

i have had a few fines like this over the last few years and i have never paid them, i always wait for the copper to call to take me inside, the most i have done is 2-3 hours in a holding cell got given something to eat and then they gave me the cost of my journey home( bus or train, tis gas ill never pay any sort of fines again ill take the default any day.

Well that sounds like a barrel of laughs. I guess if you have absolutely nothing better to do than being taken in easier than just avoiding the bloody fine in the first place!

sawdoubters

call up the court

which court was it

Engine No.9

sawdoubters wrote: »

call up the court

which court was it

It was Limerick circuit court. Seemed to be all road traffic offences except for one I remember for littering.

coylemj

pajopearl wrote: »

While I take it I've been convicted of a Road Traffic Offence, wouldn't this course of action lead to me getting a criminal conviction for contempt of court?

No, the fine with the alternative of two days in jail is all part of the same package - whether you pay the fine or do the time doesn't matter.

As advised, you can wait for the Gardai to call to collect the money but if you don't want your wife or parents bothered by such a visit, pay as outlined in the letter that you'll get from the court and nobody will call to your door.

audidiesel

There's no provision to pay in installments. It's an all or nothing system. The alternative to the fine being paid is you go to limerick prision in default If you don't pay. There are no other charges/contempt issues by doing this.

The time there will vary slightly based on how much time the judge stated. Typically its 2-3 days in default. You won't spend that much time in prison though. It depends how busy they are inside and there's also an automatic 50% remission of time served.

Traffic courts usually a Monday in limerick so presume that's the one you were at. Also you were in the district court not the circuit court. (Districts just the judge, circuits judge and jury and would be for appeals from the district court and more serious offences) As has been stated , wait for the documentation to arrive and go from there.