On-the-spot fines to be trialled for public nuisance offences from 1 January

Police will be soon be able to issue on-the-spot fines for public nuisance offences, with a 12-month trial of the new approach starting on 1 January.

The move will free up the courts system by removing thousands of public nuisance offences each year.

It will also mean that police spend less time on court work and will be able to devote more time to police work in the community.

As part of the new approach, urinating in public will be designated as a specific public nuisance offence attracting a $75 on-the-spot fine.

Police also will be able to issue tickets and on-the-spot fines for people who obstruct police or disobey a police direction in relation to public nuisance offences.

Police Minister Judy Spence said legislation would be passed before the end of the year to allow the trial to start in the Townsville and South Brisbane police districts on 1 January.

Under the new system, police will have the power to issue tickets for public nuisance offences, with fines ranging from $75 to $300 depending on the seriousness of the offence.

This will be as an alternative to existing powers to arrest an offender and issue a notice to appear in court, where heavier fines can be imposed depending on the circumstances of the offence.

The introduction of infringement tickets and on-the-spot fines was recommended in a CMC report on Queensland’s public nuisance offences.

Ms Spence said while the new approach was expected to significantly reduce the number of people entering the court system, serious offenders would still be arrested and charged.

“By giving police the power to rapidly deal with public nuisance offences on the spot, the new approach will also allow police to spend more time on the beat responding to the needs of the community.”

In 2006-07, more than 22,000 public nuisance offences were recorded in Queensland, for disorderly, offensive, threatening and violent behaviour.

Ms Spence said: “Under the new system of on-the-spot fines those offenders who do not need to be arrested can simply receive a ticket for their offence in the same way a person receives a traffic ticket.

“In addition, people who have been arrested can later be released and given a ticket. This will reduce the amount of paperwork our frontline police need to complete.

“This will be an extra option for police to apply more discretion when dealing with public nuisance offences, in addition to the existing suite of options including arrest, issuing of a notice to appear, issuing of a warning or issuing of a move-on direction.”

Media Contact: Minister’s Office – 3239 6172

3 November 2008