Fines

0.0(0)
Studied by 0 people
call kaiCall Kai
learnLearn
examPractice Test
spaced repetitionSpaced Repetition
heart puzzleMatch
flashcardsFlashcards
GameKnowt Play
Card Sorting

1/7

encourage image

There's no tags or description

Looks like no tags are added yet.

Last updated 4:57 PM on 5/27/26
Name
Mastery
Learn
Test
Matching
Spaced
Call with Kai

No analytics yet

Send a link to your students to track their progress

8 Terms

1
New cards

What are fines?

Fines are financial penalties for offending.

2
New cards

What are fines usually given for?

They are normally given for less serious offences and therefore are very often used by Magistrates’ Courts, but even with more serious (indictable) offences, about 15% of those found guilty receive a fine.

3
New cards

What does the size of a fine depend on?

The size of a fine depends on several factors:

  • The offence itself - the law lays down a maximum fine for a given offence

  • The circumstances of the crime - the Sentencing Guidelines give a range of options depending on whether it was a first offence and how much harm was done etc.

  • The offender’s ability to pay - a poorer defendant will receive a smaller fine, and/or be allowed to pay in instalments

  • Which court is hearing the case - while Magistrates’ Courts can now impose unlimited fines as of 12th March 2015, any offences committed prior to this date have a £5000 cap on the fine that can be issued by the magistrates (£10,000 for two or more offences).

4
New cards

What are the main punishment aims of fines?

Retribution, as ‘hitting someone in the pocket’ can be a good way to make them suffer for the harm that they have done, and deterrence, as a fine may make an offender reluctant for fear of further punishment. As the use of fines is a common way of disposing of first offenders, fines may be used as a signal that worse will follow if they re-offend.

5
New cards

What happens if an offender fails to pay a fine?

Offenders who fail to pay their fines without good reason may face prison.

6
New cards

What can courts do in the event of non-payment?

Courts can deduct fines from an offender’s benefits or send in bailiffs to seize their property in the event of non-payment.

7
New cards

What happens to many fines?

Many fines do not get paid. For example, by 2019, the backlog of unpaid fines and court surcharges had reached £623m. Many of these are written off as uncollectable.

8
New cards

What does the existence of unpaid or uncollectable fines suggest?

This suggests that fines may not always meet their aims of punishment.