can you really be arrested for not paying a parking ticket?
 

a guy in our office has an unpaid parking ticket, was £30, now up to £50. the police have come to see him and told him they have powers of arrest over this. we're having a right laugh in the office and think it's just a panic tactic but even still, is it for real?

this is in Belfast so not sure if the laws are different from the mainland?

cheers
steven

I thought the ticket would double, then probably double again, before being referred to a debt collection agency, baliff's etc. Then if you dont pay they could take you to court.
coppers coming round for 50 quid has to be a load of pants, you dont have donuts in your office they can smell do you ? :D

You can be arrested for looking like a terrorist so not paying a fine sounds like fair game.

It all depends what the law is in N.I.

Parking violations used to be criminal offences in England, hence the old style traffic wardens were employed by the Police. Though it is now a civil offence here in England, hence parking clowns employed by the councils are now running riot over here.

If its still a criminal offence, then there is every chance you can be arrested.

Its known over here as 'Non-payment of fines' and is an arrestable offence. After a period of time the courts issue a warrant which is entered onto the national police computer and passed to the local police force, then he is arrested and taken to court on the next available court date and put in front of the magistrate. What happens after that is anyones guess. I do know that it will go on his record and may count against him should he get stopped again. Police officers do take this information into account and will probably give him a stiffer penalty for whatever he has done. HTH :)

steffiraf,

in believe (cue Hedgehog!) that in England, a "fine" can only be imposed by a court, and not a council. Hence the term "fixed penalty notice" (for parking as well as speeding) giving you a "conditional offer" to pay the b4stards some money rather than enter the judicial system.

You can't be arrested without due cause, and unless you have a summons or similar you should be safe (unless you name is Dave Edgar!!).

Take the above with a pinch of salt (as per all BBS replies) but you probably have a strong case (that you will probably have to pay for) against getting arrested for parking alone!

mb