Police swear box fines for bad language

By Kath Gannaway
GOVERNMENT coffers are in for a major boost with the introduction on Tuesday of on-the-spot fines for offences including indecent or obscene language.
Attorney-General Rob Hulls announced the three-year trial last week.
“This trial will give police another tool to deal with common breaches of the law,” he said.
“Issuing an infringement notice can be an effective deterrent because it provides a prompt, direct and certain response.”
Senior Sergeant Paul Bell of Warburton police welcomed the trial saying it was good news not only for police but for the courts, which will have some of their case-load lifted, and for the community.
“It gives us more options but just because we can give a penalty notice doesn’t mean we will,” Sen Sgt Bell said. “If we think something should go to court, for instance if we would be looking for restitution, it will go to court.”
Mr Hulls said the trial will be carefully monitored to gauge the impact of the use of infringement notices for these offences on the courts, vulnerable members of the community, and the outcomes of trial offence matters.
Offences covered include:
• Shop theft (of goods for sale for less than $600);
• Wilful damage of property (where the damage is worth up to $500);
• Indecent or obscene language;
• Offensive behaviour;
• Consuming or supplying liquor on unlicensed premises;
• Failure to leave licensed premises when requested; and
• Careless driving by a full licence holder.
“L and P platers who are caught driving carelessly will have to go to court,” Mr Hulls said.
If a person is drunk, violent or quarrelsome and refuses to leave licensed premises when asked to do so, or engages in offensive behaviour in a public place, he or she could get an infringement notice and be banned from a particular area or all the licensed premises in it for up to 24 hours.
“Like other infringements, those who receive an infringement in this trial can still ask to have the matter dealt with by a court or, if they are having trouble paying, apply for a payment plan,” Mr Hulls said.