NCJ Number
140818
Date Published
1990
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This paper provides data and information on the use of the fine in Great Britain, procedures for fine defaults, characteristics of defaulters, and the calculation of unit fines.
Abstract
The fine is the most common sentence used by the courts. In 1988, 1,248,300 offenders, 80 percent of all persons convicted, were fined, 1,500 fewer than in 1987. The fine was used in 1988 for 97 percent of summary traffic offenses, for 89 percent of other summary offenses, for 50 percent of indictable traffic offenses, and for 42 percent of offenses of theft and handling stolen good; it was used in only 2 percent of robberies and only 14 percent of burglaries. Forty-three percent of those convicted of other indictable offenses were fined. The fall in the proportionate use of the fine for all age groups has been significant since 1979. The amount of a fine is limited by the severity of the offense, the age of the offender, and by the court that decides the case. An offender who fails to pay a fine may be brought back to court for a means inquiry and a decision on action to be taken. In 1988, 16,817 offenders were imprisoned as fine defaulters. Generally, these are offenders deemed to have defaulted due to willful or culpable neglect. This study analyzed questionnaires completed by 368 offenders fined for various offenses. Defaulters tended to be those who put off paying their fines because they needed the money for such items as food, clothing, rent, and utilities. In 1988, experiments in the use of the unit fine began at four magistrates' courts. Fines are calculated by multiplying a number of "units" representing the gravity of the offense by the weekly disposable income of the offender. The intent is to reduce the number of fine defaulters by ensuring that each offender has the ability to pay the fine imposed. 3 tables and 6 references