An Infringement warrant hearing occurs when a person fails to take any action on a seven day notice served under a valid Infringement Warrant, and does not possess any seizeable assets. The defendant is arrested and enquiries are made by the Sheriff to ascertain if the person is eligible for a Community Work Permit. If that person is not deemed suitable, they’re bailed to appear before a court for an Infringement Warrant Hearing, or they may be held in custody for up to 24 hours and to be brought before a court within that period.

Where a person is to appear before a Magistrate, he/she must sign an undertaking of bail, and their failure to attend the Infringement warrant hearing will result in the Court issuing a bench warrant for their arrest.

The Magistrate in an infringement Warrant Hearing may choose to pursue any of the following options to resolve the matter:

• Order a Community Based Order
• Order imprisonment in lieu of payment, up to two thirds can be deducted off the total amount owing before the Court on warrant
• Partially or fully discharge a defendant (includes Special Circumstances situations)
• Make an Instalment Order after an imprisonment order has been set
• Reduce up to two thirds of the imprisonment period
• Adjourn the hearing for up to six months with conditions attached.