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30 Aug 2012
Figures released today have revealed that the Scottish Court Service is owed millions of pounds in unpaid fines from last year.
Around £2 million remains outstanding from Fiscal Direct Penalties imposed in 2011, while Sheriff Courts are out of pocket by £1.9 million.
£1.3 million is owed to Justice of the Peace courts, while 43 per cent of Antisocial Behaviour Penalties – or £1.1 million – have been dodged since they were imposed last year.
Scottish Conservative justice spokesman David McLetchie MSP said:
“These levels of non-payment bring the whole system into disrepute and undermine public confidence in the justice system.
“We need to examine how we can more effectively collect such fines.
“Fiscal fines are supposed to be an alternative to prosecution, but when they are simply ignored by so many, the public will conclude that they are not much of an alternative.”
To see the publication, visit:
www.scotcourts.gov.uk/courtsadmin/finestats/QFR13_2012/fines.doc
