NJ Failure to Pay Fines

NJ Failure to Pay Fines

In New Jersey, failure to pay court-ordered fines can lead to serious consequences. Unpaid fines and penalties resulting from traffic tickets, municipal ordinance violations, or criminal charges can cause additional legal troubles.

Common Types of Fines in New Jersey

Fines are monetary penalties imposed for offenses like:

• Traffic violations – speeding, careless driving, DUI
• Parking tickets
• Local ordinance citations – noise, housing code, animal control
• Criminal charges – theft, drug possession, assault
• Probation and parole violations

Fines are often imposed on top of other penalties like license suspension or jail time.

Consequences of Failing to Pay Fines

If you do not pay court-ordered fines, possible penalties include:

• Driver’s license suspension
• Additional late fees and interest
• Civil lawsuit to collect debt
• Contempt of court charges
• Arrest warrant
• Jail time

Prompt payment avoids escalating legal troubles. But if you truly cannot afford fines, remedies are available.

Dealing with Traffic and Parking Ticket Fines

For unpaid traffic or parking fines, common penalties include:

• License suspension after 2+ tickets go unpaid [1]
• Registration suspension for 20+ days of unpaid parking fines [2]
• Referral to collection agency
• Warrant and arrest in extreme cases

Promptly paying tickets or contesting them in court avoids escalation. Payment plans may also be available.

Failure to Pay Criminal Fines

For criminal fines, consequences of nonpayment include:

• Contempt of court charges
• Jail time
• Probation violation [3]
• Driver’s license suspension [4]

Seeking a fine reduction hearing is recommended before defaulting.

Defenses for Failure to Pay Fines

Possible defenses against failure to pay penalties include:

• You paid the fines but records were misapplied
• You cannot afford to pay without undue hardship
• The court lacks jurisdiction to impose or collect fines
• The fines were improperly assessed or excessive

An attorney can help prove records are inaccurate or argue financial inability.

Seeking Fine Reduction or Community Service

If you truly cannot afford fines, options include requesting [5]:

• Fine reduction hearing
• Community service in lieu of payment
• Reasonable payment plan

The court may lower fines or convert them to community service based on financial hardship. But you must be proactive in seeking relief.

Special Rules for Juveniles

For juveniles, consequences of unpaid fines include [6]:

• Driver’s license suspension
• Probation extension or violation
• Contempt charges if age 18+

But courts cannot incarcerate juveniles for unpaid fines. Community service is imposed instead.

Debt Collection for Unpaid Fines

Outstanding court debt is referred to collection agencies after 90+ days under the Statewide Violations Bureau Collection Program [7]. This can damage your credit rating until fines are paid off.

Bankruptcy and Unpaid Fines

Court-ordered fines generally cannot be discharged through bankruptcy [8]. But related collection activity may be subject to the automatic stay.

Avoiding Future Fines

Once your current fines are resolved, avoiding future fines requires obeying all laws and promptly addressing any citations. Seek legal help immediately if unable to pay fines.