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Sheriff's Operations

Sheriff's Officers are responsible for actioning warrants in Victoria.

Sheriff's Operations employs Sheriff's Officers who enforce sanctions against those who do not comply with court orders. In respect of non-payment of fines there are a range of options to compel people to comply. Depending on the type of warrant these include the seizure and sale of assets, licence or registration suspension or, as a final option, arrest and imprisonment.

The Sheriff is responsible for warrants for non-payment of fines, including failure to pay infringement notices for 'on-the-spot' fines registered as Infringement Court Orders, and failure to pay fines imposed by a Magistrate following an appearance in court. The Victorian office was the first in Australia where the Sheriff assumed responsibility for enforcing criminal fines from the police force.

Enforcing criminal warrants

Sheriff's Operations enforce approximately 700,000 criminal warrants each year. The majority of those enforced are issued by the Infringements Court. 

To enforce an infringement warrant, a Sheriff's Officer calls at the defendant's address to demand payment from that person. If payment is not made, a seven-day notice is served. If after seven days, payment has still not been made, or the defendant has not applied for an arrangement for time to pay or made other arrangements with the Infringements Court, the Sheriff's Officer can seize and sell assets to the value of the outstanding debt.

If there are no assets, the Sheriff can arrest the person named on the infringement warrant. If the person is eligible and consents they may be released on a Community Work Permit, or if they are not eligible or do not consent, they may be bailed to appear before a magistrate. After appearing before a magistrate, the person may be imprisoned for one day for every $122.14* (as at 1 July 2011) outstanding or part thereof.

* Subject to CPI increase every July

Enforcing civil warrants

All courts issue civil warrants for the enforcement of civil judgements, usually for debts owed by a debtor. Sheriff's Officers action these warrants on behalf of the creditor to enforce a judgement against a debtor, where the money due under a judgement has not been paid. 

To enforce a civil warrant, Sheriff's Officers call at the address on the warrant and make a demand for payment from the debtor. If payment is not made, they can seize and sell the debtor's assets to recover the money. These assets may include personal property such as furniture, cars and boats.

For further information, visit the Fines Victoria website.

Contacts

Sheriff's Operations - Civil Support Section
Ground level, 277 William St
Melbourne 3000
GPO Box 2041
Melbourne VIC 3001
Tel: 03 9200 8222 (Criminal)
Tel: 03 9200 8108 (Civil)