Forgot/Couldn't afford to pay a fine
Discussion
So back at the start of last year I went to court for speeding and got a £200 fine. Had no job or real money at the time so just had to not pay it. Had no choice. Completely forgot about it until now, police want me to do a means to pay form or something?
Now I've been told by some people that it has been over a year so I don't have to pay? This is in Scotland. Don't have money to just pay the entire amount off in 1 go so wondering what's going to happen?
Now I've been told by some people that it has been over a year so I don't have to pay? This is in Scotland. Don't have money to just pay the entire amount off in 1 go so wondering what's going to happen?
You should attempt to pay it off, even if it's a laughably small amount of money per week/month. Quite how you "forgot" about it is beyond me. Assuming the offence of speeding resulting in court was meant your speed was significantly above what is usually dealt with by means of FPN.
Just because a year has now passed should not preclude you from paying up.
Just because a year has now passed should not preclude you from paying up.
If you continue to stick your head in the sand a means warrant will be issued for your arrest.
If apprehended, you will then have the choice to pay up to get out of police custody, or go to court the next lawful day (Courts aren't open Saturday or Sunday, so could be a very long weekend in a Police cell) to answer why you haven't paid the fine.
If apprehended, you will then have the choice to pay up to get out of police custody, or go to court the next lawful day (Courts aren't open Saturday or Sunday, so could be a very long weekend in a Police cell) to answer why you haven't paid the fine.
When your recent posting history includes looking at a newish BMW and buying steering wheels for an x-box one I'd suggest you could find the money to pay the fine and should do so. Things people don't do include "forgetting" about "that day you spent in court".
As others have suggested stop burying your head over this and either pay or get a payment plan in place if it genuinely is a struggle to find the money.
Ironic username by the way
As others have suggested stop burying your head over this and either pay or get a payment plan in place if it genuinely is a struggle to find the money.
Ironic username by the way
mikeyr said:
When your recent posting history includes looking at a newish BMW and buying steering wheels for an x-box one I'd suggest you could find the money to pay the fine and should do so. Things people don't do include "forgetting" about "that day you spent in court;)
This being the case I shall re-phrase my original response above;Stick your hand in your pocket and pay up the fine in full immediately and stop being such a tight wad.
mikeyr said:
When your recent posting history includes looking at a newish BMW and buying steering wheels for an x-box one I'd suggest you could find the money to pay the fine and should do so. Things people don't do include "forgetting" about "that day you spent in court".
As others have suggested stop burying your head over this and either pay or get a payment plan in place if it genuinely is a struggle to find the money.
Ironic username by the way
best post ever As others have suggested stop burying your head over this and either pay or get a payment plan in place if it genuinely is a struggle to find the money.
Ironic username by the way
OP - pay up, face your responsibilities
mikeyr said:
When your recent posting history includes looking at a newish BMW and buying steering wheels for an x-box one I'd suggest you could find the money to pay the fine and should do so. Things people don't do include "forgetting" about "that day you spent in court".
As others have suggested stop burying your head over this and either pay or get a payment plan in place if it genuinely is a struggle to find the money.
Ironic username by the way
Think you just won at Pistonheads... As others have suggested stop burying your head over this and either pay or get a payment plan in place if it genuinely is a struggle to find the money.
Ironic username by the way
Contact the fines enforcement officer for the area where the fine was issued and speak with them or complete the declaration of income form as has been requested.
As has been pointed out refusal to deal with this will result in a means enquiry warrant being issued for your arrest. The court could even choose to issue an extract conviction warrant which would you see you going straight to prison for a number of days in lieu of paying the fine if you are unable to pay up immediately when the Police execute the warrant. Considering the potential grief it could cause you and the fact that the court service will bend over backwards to find payment terms you can manage it really isn't worth ignoring.
Cat
PS the bit about not having to pay because it over a year old is nonsense.
As has been pointed out refusal to deal with this will result in a means enquiry warrant being issued for your arrest. The court could even choose to issue an extract conviction warrant which would you see you going straight to prison for a number of days in lieu of paying the fine if you are unable to pay up immediately when the Police execute the warrant. Considering the potential grief it could cause you and the fact that the court service will bend over backwards to find payment terms you can manage it really isn't worth ignoring.
Cat
PS the bit about not having to pay because it over a year old is nonsense.
Jayho said:
mikeyr said:
When your recent posting history includes looking at a newish BMW and buying steering wheels for an x-box one I'd suggest you could find the money to pay the fine and should do so. Things people don't do include "forgetting" about "that day you spent in court".
As others have suggested stop burying your head over this and either pay or get a payment plan in place if it genuinely is a struggle to find the money.
Ironic username by the way
Think you just won at Pistonheads... As others have suggested stop burying your head over this and either pay or get a payment plan in place if it genuinely is a struggle to find the money.
Ironic username by the way
I was genuinely broke for 3 months and by then I had forgot about about the fine as I never got another letter about it until last week. Just wondering how I go about this if I can't pay it all right now?
Slow said:
Yes I could afford the monthly payments on a newish bmw. Deposit paid by selling current car. Xbox was a gift to me. You don't know my current situation.
I was genuinely broke for 3 months and by then I had forgot about about the fine as I never got another letter about it until last week. Just wondering how I go about this if I can't pay it all right now?
Ask for cash as a gift instead of a wheel and get it paid offI was genuinely broke for 3 months and by then I had forgot about about the fine as I never got another letter about it until last week. Just wondering how I go about this if I can't pay it all right now?
Slow said:
Yes I could afford the monthly payments on a newish bmw. Deposit paid by selling current car. Xbox was a gift to me. You don't know my current situation.
I was genuinely broke for 3 months and by then I had forgot about about the fine as I never got another letter about it until last week. Just wondering how I go about this if I can't pay it all right now?
I was a PC on dock duty some years ago in an afternoon fines court when a fine defaulter came up before the bench. Pleading poverty & offering a paltry amount per week. One of his monthly expenses - I can't recall the amount but it wasn't small - was a car. After some questioning by the bench which he did his best to evade he finally had to admit that the car was a Rolls Royce - not a new one. No sooner had the words left his mouth than the chairman said 'Officer, take him down'. Which came as a bit of a surprise to me as they usually just gave them a lecture and a bit longer to pay! As I was taking him down the stairs to the cells, 2 of his friends stood up at the back of the court & anounced that they had the cash with them to pay. he still got to remain locked up until the court rose.I was genuinely broke for 3 months and by then I had forgot about about the fine as I never got another letter about it until last week. Just wondering how I go about this if I can't pay it all right now?
So my advice to you is to pay up ASAP.
Oh, and stop digging.
paintman said:
Slow said:
Yes I could afford the monthly payments on a newish bmw. Deposit paid by selling current car. Xbox was a gift to me. You don't know my current situation.
I was genuinely broke for 3 months and by then I had forgot about about the fine as I never got another letter about it until last week. Just wondering how I go about this if I can't pay it all right now?
I was a PC on dock duty some years ago in an afternoon fines court when a fine defaulter came up before the bench. Pleading poverty & offering a paltry amount per week. One of his monthly expenses - I can't recall the amount but it wasn't small - was a car. After some questioning by the bench which he did his best to evade he finally had to admit that the car was a Rolls Royce - not a new one. No sooner had the words left his mouth than the chairman said 'Officer, take him down'. Which came as a bit of a surprise to me as they usually just gave them a lecture and a bit longer to pay! As I was taking him down the stairs to the cells, 2 of his friends stood up at the back of the court & anounced that they had the cash with them to pay. he still got to remain locked up until the court rose.I was genuinely broke for 3 months and by then I had forgot about about the fine as I never got another letter about it until last week. Just wondering how I go about this if I can't pay it all right now?
So my advice to you is to pay up ASAP.
Oh, and stop digging.
Yes I can afford it monthly, doesn't mean I always keep money? I have a social life, I'm only 20, I go out and enjoy my money.
If I can't pay the whole amount right now, what happens? Can pay it off come next pay day.
Slow said:
paintman said:
Slow said:
Yes I could afford the monthly payments on a newish bmw. Deposit paid by selling current car. Xbox was a gift to me. You don't know my current situation.
I was genuinely broke for 3 months and by then I had forgot about about the fine as I never got another letter about it until last week. Just wondering how I go about this if I can't pay it all right now?
I was a PC on dock duty some years ago in an afternoon fines court when a fine defaulter came up before the bench. Pleading poverty & offering a paltry amount per week. One of his monthly expenses - I can't recall the amount but it wasn't small - was a car. After some questioning by the bench which he did his best to evade he finally had to admit that the car was a Rolls Royce - not a new one. No sooner had the words left his mouth than the chairman said 'Officer, take him down'. Which came as a bit of a surprise to me as they usually just gave them a lecture and a bit longer to pay! As I was taking him down the stairs to the cells, 2 of his friends stood up at the back of the court & anounced that they had the cash with them to pay. he still got to remain locked up until the court rose.I was genuinely broke for 3 months and by then I had forgot about about the fine as I never got another letter about it until last week. Just wondering how I go about this if I can't pay it all right now?
So my advice to you is to pay up ASAP.
Oh, and stop digging.
Yes I can afford it monthly, doesn't mean I always keep money? I have a social life, I'm only 20, I go out and enjoy my money.
If I can't pay the whole amount right now, what happens? Can pay it off come next pay day.
You committed a criminal offence and were fined for it. You think its ethically acceptable to pay it off when you feel like it, putting your social life first? Have a little bit of self-respect and decency. At the moment, every single tax payer in the country is making you an interest free loan while you moan like a child about needing time to pull together a tiny amount of money!
Slow said:
...... I have a social life, I'm only 20, I go out and enjoy my money.
Can you not see the problem with this? The court has issued you with a 'fine', that's your punishment for your offence and it's supposed to be a little painful so you'll get little sympathy if you suggest you haven't paid off your fine because it compromised your social life. The reason you didn't pay it off straight away is understandable but you do need to drop the excuses, man up, contact them, and start paying it off immediately.Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff