If you have a fine saying you broke the law when you were under 18 and you have not paid it, there is a more flexible system than there is for people over 18.
Children and Young Person Infringement Notice System (CAYPINS)
The Children’s Court may send you a Notice of Court Case if you have an unpaid fine that now requires you to attend court.
The system that sends you this notice is managed by the Children's Court and is called the Children and Young Persons Infringement Notice System (CAYPINS).
If the agency that fined you agrees, and you do not want to argue against the fine, you can meet with a CAYPINS court registrar. This means that you do not appear before a magistrate.
What happens when you meet the registrar
The registrar will talk with you about your financial situation and try to come to an agreement about how you can pay the fine, such as an instalment plan (part-payments).
In some cases, the registrar may reduce the amount of the fine or say that you do not have to pay it. You, or the agency that fined you, can ask a court to review the registrar’s order if you do not agree with it.
For more information see the Children's Court website or call the CAYPINS helpline on 1300 787 715.
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Children's Court of Victoria – Fines: find out what to do if you are charged with a fine and are under 18 years of age.
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