Fine procedure
A fine procedure means that the prosecutor or police resolve the fine in writing, meaning that the case is not heard in court.
Types of fines
The authorities use the fine procedure to issue three types of fines: fixed petty fine orders, fine orders and penal orders.
Fixed petty fine
A fixed petty fine (fixed petty fine order) is a fixed fine imposed by a police officer, customs officer, border guard, game and fisheries warden, or prosecutor. A fixed petty fine is the most lenient type of fine.
Fine order
A police officer, customers officer, border guard or game and fisheries warden can impose a fine (fine order) of at most 20 unit fines.
A fine order is usually given for offences such as petty theft, most traffic offences, and operating a vehicle without a licence.
Summary penal order
A summary penal order can only be issued by a prosecutor. First, the police issue a fine request and forward it to the prosecutor. The prosecutor then imposes a fine and the fine – that is the summary penal order – is sent by post to the person fined.
The prosecutor imposes a fine for an offence punishable by more than 20 unit fines, or for an offence where the imposition of a fine under a fine procedure does not fall within the jurisdiction of the pre-trial investigation authority.
Fine request
The prosecutor also imposes a fine where the person fined and the authority imposing the fine are unable to reach agreement on the person’s income and the person wishes to provide evidence of a material change in their solvency. In such cases, the police issue a fine request to the person fined.
In some circumstances, the prosecutor may decide not to issue a summary penal order, refer the case back to the police or consider that the offence in the fine request is incorrect. If the prosecutor considers that the fine request is too lenient, you may be served with a new higher fine request. You will be informed of these measures if your case proceeds in that way.
The prosecutor may also transfer the case from a fine procedure to criminal proceedings.
Right of appeal against a fine order or summary penal order
An appeal may be lodged with a district court against a summary penal order issued by a prosecutor or a fine order issued by a pre-trial investigation authority. Further details are provided with the summary penal order or fine order you have received.
Submitting an account regarding a fine
If you have received a fine, you have the right to submit an account on the matter. The form for providing additional information can be found on the page for submitting an account.
The Office of the Prosecutor General does not handle fine cases. If you have questions regarding a fine, please contact a Prosecution District. See the Prosecution District contact information.
Payment of a fine
The Legal Register Centre is responsible for the collection of fines; in other words, the fine is paid to the Legal Register Centre.