means tested fines?

[Heqet]

here

What do you think? I think I like it! Say, oh, I dunno, £60 for someone on minimum wage is a lot, may mean they really struggle! £60 to someone worth millions, well, they can find it down the back of the sofa! It is much more of a punishment to the poor than the rich.

What do you think about fines based on a percentage of your 'worth' rather than a flat rate?

Seems very sensible.

It does, doesn't it? A fine should be of the same value to everyone, so to me that means a different sum of money.

Some speeding fines are means tested in Swtizerland. DD's friends dad ended up paying the equivalent of 12,000 pounds.

Should perhaps be connected to salary.

Not sure what they mean by "worth"-assets?

I think it's an absolutely awful idea. A person should be judged and punished based on the crime they have committed not their bank account.

but shouldn't that punishment be equal?

I mean, if you commit the same crime, should the punishment not be the same?

So how is a, say, £60 fine from someone who earns £200 a week the same as a £60 fine for someone who earns £2000 a week?

By that fact alone, they are not 'punished' in the same way, are they?

Judged the same - yes. innocent or guilty.

If guilty - treated the same - yes. A fine.

Then they are only punished to the same extent if the fine is worth the same amount to them.

Unless the amount you pay for a fine is determined by your wage then the poor are always punished more harshly for the same crime than the rich are.

mmmmm im not so sure....what would be the deterrant??? TBH i would be more careful at the thought of a £60 fine than of the thought of a means tested fine mainly because i only earn £95 per week. So what happens if you only work part time or are on benefits???? the fine will be minimal and therefore less of a deterrant surely?????

Yes, but equally, what's the deterrent at the moment for those earning bucket loads when the fines are so low? Oh, it doesn't matter, it's only a few quid... No deterrent there either.

Bonkerz, they could get around that by having the £60 as the minimum - so benefits claimants etc have a massive deterrent - I know I wouldn't afford £60

Bonkerz, they could get around that by having the £60 as the minimum - so benefits claimants etc have a massive deterrent - I know I wouldn't afford £60

its a lose lose isnt it because if its get rid of £60 fine and do means tested fines then lowest paid people are not deterred but if you keep it at £60 fine then highest paid people not deterred. Cant cap minimum cos then high earners will say its discrimination and cant raise minimum cos lowest paid will say discrimination! LMAO

apologies - pc went wonky

"should the punishment not be the same?"

Yes it should. It should be exactly the same.