You can have your matter heard in the Magistrates' Court (or the Children's Court, if you are under 18 years of age) up until the time the fine is registered with Fines Victoria.

If your fine has reached the Notice of Final Demand stage, you may instead be able to request a review. The stage of your fine can be found at the top of your notice.

If your fine is for an excessive speed, drink or drug-driving offence, your application will be submitted as a Notice of Objection. Your Notice of Objection must be submitted within 28 days from your Infringement Notice issue date, before your licence is suspended.

Start your application to go to court online.

If your application to go to court is accepted:

• the matter will be listed at the Magistrates' Court
• you may need to appear before the court at a specified date and time (you'll be notified of your court date, time and location in the mail). This is called a hearing.

If you don't go to your hearing, the court can decide the matter in your absence.

The magistrate will hear your case and decide on an appropriate penalty. They may decide to:

• record a conviction if they find you guilty
• issue you with a new fine (the penalty may be either more or less to the amount on your Infringement Notice)
• dismiss or discharge your case
• adjourn (delay) the matter
• order you to do unpaid community work.

If you'd like to take your matter to court, contact the agency that issued you the fine, and tell them you'd like your matter heard in court. In most cases, you can apply by completing the form attached to your notice.

If you don't have your notice on you, you can download a Nomination Statement and complete the Request a Court Hearing section.