A police fine for speeding or running a red light is a criminal matter, not a parking debt. The rules — and the risks — are different, so think before you contest.
How it works
You usually receive a proposed settlement (perception immédiate / onmiddellijke inning). Pay it and the case ends. Contest it, and the file can go to the public prosecutor and potentially the Police Court.
The real risk
If you contest and lose in court, the amount can rise well above the original proposal once court costs and a higher penalty are added — often by a third or more. So contest a penal fine only when you have a genuine factual or procedural argument, not just to roll the dice.
When a lawyer is worth it
For a possible driving ban, a serious speed, or a disputed identity of the driver, a traffic lawyer is usually worth a consultation — the downside of getting it wrong is large. For a minor first offence with a clear error (wrong vehicle, faulty calibration, signage), a well-written objection to the prosecutor can be enough.
Quitte flags penal fines as higher-risk and recommends legal advice where the stakes justify it, rather than pretending every fine is a quick win.