Unpaid Fines Victoria
We understand that having to deal with the Sheriff over unpaid fines is a very stressful process. We regularly deal with people who have over $60,000.00 in unpaid fines – sometimes over $300,000.00. We can help. And the bigger the debt, the more we can help you.
In almost all cases, it is the enforcement costs imposed by Fines Victoria and the Sheriff’s Office that make up the bulk of the debt. Whether it is the Sheriff contacting you, or you calling the Sheriff because you can’t deal with the stress anymore, we are experts at dealing with these cases in Court.
In almost all cases, we can have your fines significantly reduced and then organise a payment plan for the balance. See “Case Studies” on this site for some of the excellent results we have achieved in these cases.
Case Study – Unpaid Fines – Melbourne Magistrates’ Court
The Date: March 2025
The Court: Melbourne Magistrates’ Court
The Charges:
1. Penalty Enforcement Warrant for Unpaid Fines
Possible penalties our client was facing:
Our client had about $32,000.00 of unpaid fines, with the court having the power to enforce them to pay this amount in fines and imprisonment for 165 days.
The Facts:
Our client had about $32,000.00 of fines dating back to 2013. These fines were incurred by someone else. They included 10+ speeding fines, 20+ parking fines, 40+ toll fines and 20+ other fines.
Our client was responsible for only a small portion of these fines.
Result in court:
In court, we made submissions around the circumstances of the matter and notifying the court of their powers under section 165(1) of the Fines Reform Act 2014, stating that imprisonment would be disproportionate and unduly harsh. The court agreed with our submissions and did not imprison our client, instead reducing the fine to only $2,000.00. Our client was very pleased with the major reduction in fines.
Case Study – Unpaid Fines – Melbourne Magistrates’ Court
The Court: Melbourne Magistrates’ Court
The Date: February 2025
The Charges:
Enforcement Warrant Infringement Fines
Unpaid fines totalling $48,600
Possible penalties our client was facing:
Charge 1:
1. A fine of up to $48,600 ;
2. Up to 254 days imprisonment.
The Facts:
Our client had a total of 140+enforcement warrants, which included 110+toll fines, 8 traffic camera fines and 7 Victoria Police fines. These fines occurred between 2012-2024, with very few of the fines occurring after 2015.
Between 2011-15, our client was in a long-term relationship where there was one car between her and her partner, which was registered to our client. During this relationship, our client’s former partner would drive her car every day. Her former partner would arrive at her workplace and take her car, with her relationship marked by controlling behaviour. Our client did not have a Linkt tolling account during this period and was unaware that her partner was driving on toll roads.
Of the $48,600 in fines, our client was responsible for $7,700 of these. None of these fines were toll related.
Result in Court:
In court, we outlined to the Magistrate their powers in the matter. Namely, under section 165(2)(b)(c) and (d) of the Fines Reform Act, in which it would be excessive, disproportionate and unduly harsh for our client to be sentenced to imprisonment.
The court agreed and did not impose a term of imprisonment on our client, instead reducing the fines from $48,694.00 to $1,000.00. Our client was extremely relieved and happy with this major reduction in her fines.
Case Study - Unpaid Fines - Dandenong Magistrates’ Court
The Court: Dandenong Magistrates’ Court
The Date: February 2025
The Charges:
· Enforcement Warrant Infringement Fines – Unpaid Fines Totalling $82,000.00;
· Up to 415 days imprisonment
The Facts:
Our client incurred all fines, with $79,000.00 of these being toll fines. When the fines were first incurred, our client was young on a low paying job and had just moved out of home. When our client first found out about the fines, she tried to open an account with Citylink but owed too much money for them to let her open an account. This led to her continuing to get tolling fines for several years.
Result in Court:
In court, we explained our client’s circumstances and acknowledged how she had made attempts to open a Citylink account but had been denied. The court discharged all tolling fines and imposed a fine of $2,500.00, which was the remaining amount of fines not relating to tolls. Our client was very relieved with this large and significant reduction in her fines.
She is paying off the $2500 by monthly instalments over 2 years.
Case Study – Unpaid Fines - Melbourne Magistrates’ Court
The Court: Online Magistrates’ Court
The Date: April 2025
The Charges:
· Enforcement Warrant Infringement Fines - Unpaid Fines Totalling $57,500.00
Possible penalties our client was facing:
1. Up to $57,500.00 in fines; or
2. 292 days imprisonment.
The Facts:
Our client’s fines were incurred from 2013-2023. He moved from country Victoria to work as a courier and was not used to driving on toll roads. He never had a tolling account and when he went to set up an account, it was too late as he had fines that he couldn’t clear before getting an account. This included 131 tolling fines.
Result in Court:
In court, we made submissions under section 165(2)(b)(c) and (d) of the Fines Reform Act 2014. We argued that it would be excessive, disproportionate and unduly harsh to send our client to prison. The court agreed with our submissions and chose not to imprison our client.
The court substantially discharged the fines, with our client’s fines being reduced to $1,500.00, which he is paying off at $100 per month.
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