Court Gives Woman Another Chance After Failing To Pay A $5,000 Fine In 2024 For Overstaying
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By Alric Lindsay
Stacy Ann Lewis, who was reportedly fined $5,000 in July 2024 for overstaying, appeared in the Summary Court today, July 15, 2025, to provide an update on the payment of her fine. Lewis escaped jail time again as the Chief Magistrate gave her until October 2025 to pay the outstanding amount of the fine.
Background and sentence
Reportedly, the Chief Magistrate was initially lenient on Lewis in 2024 when she was fined for overstaying instead of being sent to prison.
As of July 11, 2025, she only paid $450 of the $5,000 fine.
When asked why she didn’t pay the full amount, Lewis explained to the Chief Magistrate that her husband was running a car wash, but business was slow. She added that she was not currently working, but hoped to get a Residency and Employment Rights Certificate. Until that happens or she is otherwise able to work, she will not have the money to pay the outstanding fine.
After hearing the explanation from Lewis, the Chief Magistrate expressed her displeasure. The Chief Magistrate said:
Tell me why I should not put you in jail for non payment of a fine for a very serious offense. It’s almost like you’re not taking this serious at all.
The Chief Magistrate added:
What you should have been doing is making at least some payment every couple weeks. But no… you paid $450. That was it. That’s not the effort that we asked for.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Chief Magistrate gave Lewis another chance to pay the outstanding fine by October 31, 2025. If she fails to do this, she may face prison time.
