Vic: No automatic jail for fine defaulters: Hulls

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2000
Vic: No automatic jail for fine defaulters: Hulls

MELBOURNE, Dec 19 AAP - Victorians with unpaid on-the-spot fines would no longer be
sent to jail without being able to plead their case before a magistrate under a new law
announced by Attorney-General Rob Hulls today.

Previously, long-term fine defaulters could be arrested and automatically jailed for
one day for every $100 owed.

Mr Hulls said offenders should have the opportunity to plead their case before a magistrate
before being imprisoned.

"We've had several cases where people have been jailed without going to court, and
this is not appropriate," Mr Hulls said.

He said most people arrested for fine defaulting either paid the fines in cash or did
community work.

But for those who did not, it was their basic right to appear before a magistrate before
being imprisoned, particularly for those with intellectual disabilities, mental illnesses
or those who could demonstrate exceptional circumstances, he said.

Mr Hulls said although jail would remain as the ultimate penalty for non-payment of
on-the-spot fines, the court would be given discretion to reduce terms of imprisonment.

"For those who continue to flout the law, of course, jail will still be the last option,"

he said.

The changes announced by Mr Hulls also introduced an option for part payment of infringement
notices, which did not exist before, Mr Hulls said.

AAP bp/mg

KEYWORD: FINES

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.