Department of Justice announces increase in fine collections

Justice Minister Kelvin Parsons said today he is pleased to announce an approximate 20 per cent increase in fine collections since the Department of Justice embarked on new initiatives to collect from outstanding debtors.

The department's Fines Administration Division collected $400,000 this year from January to May, in excess of the collections for the same period last year. Each month, the department is collecting substantial increased amounts.

"The results of these past months reflect that the efforts of departmental staff are having a positive effect," said Minister Parsons.

In December 2001, the Department of Justice announced its intention to implement a system to allow for more aggressive collection efforts.

On May 1, 2002, the process of issuing final notices to individuals began. The fine defaulters are given a 60-day notice to pay in full or failure to comply will result in the amounts being registered with the Supreme Court Trial Division and the Sheriff's Office.

"Although there has been significant increases," said the minister, "we still have a long way to go to recover the huge volume of debt. We will persist to take every action to ensure government gets the monies it is owed."

The increases are expected to continue once judgments are filed against debtors next month.
A person's credit rating may be affected by this filing process which begins July 1, when civil action, such as wage attachments or property seizures, will commence.

Media contact: Edwina Bateman, Communications, (709) 729-6985.

2002 06 26                               9:50 a.m.