25 May 2011

Appealing fines in the ACT?

| Jono1974
Join the conversation
18

I copped a fine the other day and was wondering if the ACT had a system similar to NSW, where if you have not had a fine for 10 years you can simpily write a letter and state your circumstances and the fine is waived and a warning issued?

The NSW State Debt Recovery Office has the details of how the system works. It works for fines issued by the police, RTA cameras and the parking patrol etc.

Join the conversation

18
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

My apologies in advance for this totally useless comment.

Evertyime I see the heading of this thread on the homepage, I read it as “Appalling fines in the ACT”.

BerraCitizen6:39 pm 26 May 11

I know of two people who have done this who both had good records. The second person did once in the ACT and the 2nd time while in VIC because a friend told him VIC can’t see ACT records. I don’t know what they can and can’t see but I know he got off two tickets, once in the ACT and another in VIC within a year.

a few months ago, i recieved a traffic camera fine (doing 70 in a 60 zone), and went online to find out the way to appeal the fine ( this is my first ever offence in 15 years driving).

Just read the back of the ticket next time!

notsurprised1:03 pm 26 May 11

a few months ago, i recieved a traffic camera fine (doing 70 in a 60 zone), and went online to find out the way to appeal the fine ( this is my first ever offence in 15 years driving).

I hunted around the AFP website, trying to find a bit of info. Not easy
https://forms.afp.gov.au/online_forms/act_traffic_dispute_notice

Had trouble with the online form, so in the end i emailed them to enquire where to find the info, and giving the details as to why i was appealing the fine (I thought I would just give it a try, not really expecting to be succecssful). Not long afterwards, I received a reply saying i had been successful. I think you only get the one chance to do this, still lost points, but didnt have to pay the fine, so was pleased with that).
Good luck

Captain RAAF8:00 am 26 May 11

Only works for Murder charges but give it a go, you might get lucky.

I appealled a speeding fine based on the fact that I have an un-blemished driving record and a series of technical issues in regard to the layout of the signage and streets, and had a responce last week in which the fine and all demerit points and court orders have been withdrawn. I have appealled before on an amber traffic light fine that I got for failing to stop in pooring rain, and that too was withdrawn, but a nice little clause at the end of the withdrawal letter said s.th to the effect “, however the Police would wish to remind you that you must obey the road rules…..”. My latest withdrawal letter from the Traffic Police did not state this, so I presume they simpified with my arguement, and my good driving record. If you think you have been injusticed, then appeal that too, it may well help your case, as it probably did mine.

WonderfulWorld11:23 pm 25 May 11

What type of Fine
I cleared 12 parking fines and 2 speeding in 10 years by writing appropriate letters…..ACT is not that bad it depends on the circumstance and your debate and the actual TRUTH AND EVIDENCE! Mine have been cleared not by “nice” guys or a process but by honest mistakes with personnel.
On call occasions fortunately was a simply nice placed letter to the RTA.

Yes they can dismiss the fine and not lose points, I wrote a letter years ago to the Police Commissioner, regarding a fine. On the day it was operation PR day, meaning they let you off with a warning, I did do the one wrong thing, got let off on that, then they told me an untruth, which I knew was wrong about changing a licence within a week from another state, of course I knew this was just so wrong, the norm is three months, and I decided to write a letter, I had proof to back this up.
I did not have to pay the fine or lose points, because of my excellent driving record, that was in Sydney.

creative_canberran12:38 pm 25 May 11

Jono, you rather obviously omit the details of the fine. For all we know you could have been doing 30km/h over the limit in a school zone.
There is to my knowledge no such provision in the ACT that triggers automatic leniency if you have a clear record. You can request an appeal be heard by the RTA, or you can appeal the infringement in the Magistrates Court. If you appeal in the court, they will hit you up for some major penalties if you loose… and it would be well deserved too.

KeenGolfer said :

Was it a fine issued by a parking inspector or a police officer? If it’s a parking officer you can plead your good history in a letter and they may let you off – but this only works once. Has worked for me.

If it’s a fine issued by the police there is no equiv. to SDRO in the ACT and the fine goes back to the issuing officer to decide the outcome. Just be sure you don’t write ‘dispute’ anywhere in the letter or it automatically goes to court to be decided by a magistrate.

Unless of course u want to be heard in court ……….. bearing in mind that if the matter is taken to court and you lose, it will then show up in your crim record, whereas a infringement doesn’t. Depends on how strongly you feel about it.

Was it a fine issued by a parking inspector or a police officer? If it’s a parking officer you can plead your good history in a letter and they may let you off – but this only works once. Has worked for me.

If it’s a fine issued by the police there is no equiv. to SDRO in the ACT and the fine goes back to the issuing officer to decide the outcome. Just be sure you don’t write ‘dispute’ anywhere in the letter or it automatically goes to court to be decided by a magistrate.

Man up Jono, take responsibility for your actions.

tight *ss

Pommy bastard11:07 am 25 May 11

Appealing fines in the ACT?

No, not really.

was the fine unfairly issued? why do you think it should be waived?

What are the circumstances of how you got it? if you’re in a meter too long, no. If you’re in a loading zone, disabled zone etc without a permit, no. If a no parking sign was 300 metres up the road and faded… well maybe.

You could of course accept you were pinged for something you did wrong. accidentally or otherwise.

I wrote a nice letter when my wife got a ticket, politely requesting that they waive it on account of her good record (no infringements ever).

They wrote back expressing the seriousness of being careful to not go even a couple of km/h over the limit, but they did waive the fine. The TIN still went on her record, as did the demerit points, but it didn’t cost anything.

So give it a go, if it is a minor thing, and your record is good, you’ll probably be fine.

Yeah, just write a letter. Do it on work time though.

Rawhide Kid Part310:13 am 25 May 11

Never heard of that one…… However having said that , I believe you can always contest any fine issued.

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.