State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999 (Qld)

State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999

An Act about the issue and enforcement of infringement notices, the enforcement of court ordered fines and certain court ordered debts, and for other purposes

Part 1 Preliminary

1 Short title This Act may be cited as the State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999.

2 Commencement This Act commences on a day to be fixed by proclamation.

3 Definitions The dictionary in schedule 2 defines particular words used in this Act.

4 Objects The objects of this Act include— (a) maintaining the integrity of fines as a viable sentencing or punitive option for offenders; and (b) maintaining confidence in the justice system by enhancing the way fines and other money penalties may be enforced; and (c) reducing the cost to the State of enforcing fines and other money penalties.

5 Act has limited application to children (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), this Act does not apply to a child other than to the extent it allows a child to pay a fine stated in an infringement notice for an offence in full or by instalments to an administering authority instead of being prosecuted for the offence. (2) If a child aged at least 17 years is served with an infringement notice for a transport demerit points offence, this Act applies to the child in relation to the offence in the same way it applies to an adult. (3) An enforcement order, fine collection notice or warrant may not be issued under this Act against a child except as allowed under subsection (2). (4) A reference in this Act to a Magistrates Court includes, in relation to a matter involving a child, a reference to the Childrens Court. (5) In this section— transport demerit points offence means an offence for which a number of demerit points may be allocated against the offender's traffic history under a regulation under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995.