Fines

• Fines are the most common type of sentence given by courts. The court sets the amount of a fine after considering how serious the offence is and how much money the offender can pay based on their income. This can be given to individuals, organisation or companies, the maximum fine allowed in Magistrates Court and Crown Court is unlimited for the most serious offences; selling weapons to children, making false benefit statements, harassment.
• Police Issued Penalty notices

  • police officers can issue penalty notices to people 18+.

  = Disorder example: Disorderly behaviour, Criminal Justice Act 1967 - £90

  = Fixed penalty notice example; careless driving - Road Traffic Act 1988 - £100

  = Environmental / Antisocial behaviour example: Graffiti-Antisocial Behaviour Act 2005 - £65 - £500

  Flat fines - UK - fines are fixed for an offence

  Proportionate fines - Finland - fine given based on monthly income
• Do fines meet the aims of retribution?

  ✅ fines are proportionate to the crime committed.

  ❌ fines should be proportionate to the individuals income.
• Do fines meet the aims of rehabilitation?

  ❌ fines don't treat the illness of crime.
• Do fines meet the aims of protection?

  ❌ no incapacitation takes place, can still reoffend.
• Do fines meet the aims of individual deterrence?

  ✅ fine will be higher the 2nd time - cons is pros.

  ❌ the rich can pay the increasing fines.
• Do fines meet the aims of general deterrence?

  ✅ public don’t want to get fined.

  ❌ it’s fairly private and not talked about in public.
• Do fines meet the aims of reparation?

  ✅ can be used to pay for damages.

  ❌ can’t repair all damages eg. death.