Poll: Incentives to not be a criminal?

[Mock Turtle]

Since fines are often imposed on individuals for the less criminal offences, but still breaking the law, should the rich be made to pay pro rata as to their wealth rather than just the same flat rate as the rest of us plebs? Given that such fines are rather meaningless to those wealthy enough not to miss tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds (dollars) let alone a few hundred. But not necessarily for the following example:

Rishi Sunak fined for not wearing seatbelt in back of car

 

[Eddi]

There is a saying: "If the punishment for a crime is a fine then that crime is only a crime for the poor"

 

[Revoltingest]

The concept seems appropriate.
I just don't trust government to apply it wisely.
Policing is often done with the goal of revenue.
This would inspire open season on anywone
who looks prosperous.
Never ignore the power of corruption.

 

[SalixIncendium]

I've never been an advocate of imposing fines for crimes. I think punishment for crimes should be service. Fines potentially take food out of children's mouths, because some cannot afford to pay fines. However, everyone capable of committing a crime is capable of doing a service.

 

[Stevicus]

Since fines are often imposed on individuals for the less criminal offences, but still breaking the law, should the rich be made to pay pro rata as to their wealth rather than just the same flat rate as the rest of us plebs? Given that such fines are rather meaningless to those wealthy enough not to miss tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds (dollars) let alone a few hundred. But not necessarily for the following example:

Rishi Sunak fined for not wearing seatbelt in back of car

I've always thought it would be more fair that way, since cops routinely target lower income people and neighborhoods. I also think that if one is driving a company vehicle, the fine should be based on the value of the company. So, if a UPS truck goes even 1 mph over the speed limit, the fine could be in the millions.

I think it's an excellent idea.

 

[PureX]

The concept seems appropriate.
I just don't trust government to apply it wisely.
Policing is often done with the goal of revenue.
This would inspire open season on anywone
who looks prosperous.
Never ignore the power of corruption.

I agree with this. I am already dubious about the practice imposing fines as punishment for minor criminal behavior. I would prefer compensation for the harm or damage done. Or barring that, maybe limiting the rights/privilege that was being abused/defied by the criminal behavior.

 

[Heyo]

This would inspire open season on anywone
who looks prosperous.
Never ignore the power of corruption.

Wouldn't that be nice for a change?
Seriously though, there is a reason cops go after the poor, they are less likely to sue. Wouldn't change much if fines depended on income.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

The concept seems appropriate.
I just don't trust government to apply it wisely.
Policing is often done with the goal of revenue.
This would inspire open season on anywone
who looks prosperous.
Never ignore the power of corruption.

That is the biggest barrier to otherwise good ideas.

A colleague that deals with building inspectors told me the first meeting with the one local to our facilities, opened their meeting with the line "I am god". That sort of little power trip gives me pause to consider that the system wouldn't be abused.

 

[PureX]

That is the biggest barrier to otherwise good ideas.

A colleague that deals with building inspectors told me the first meeting with the one local to our facilities, opened their meeting with the line "I am god". That sort of little power trip gives me pause to consider that the system wouldn't be abused.

It's the ones that think it, but don't say it that are the real threat!

 

[Soandso]

The concept seems appropriate.
I just don't trust government to apply it wisely.
Policing is often done with the goal of revenue.
This would inspire open season on anywone
who looks prosperous.
Never ignore the power of corruption.

In theory, I can see this happening, but in practice? If I'm rich, I can pay for dash cams, radar detectors, lawyers, or any other tools I can take advantage of to protect myself. Not only that, but the rich tend to have power and connections at their disposal

I'm ok with that - but then again, I have no skin in that game

 

[Revoltingest]

Wouldn't that be nice for a change?
Seriously though, there is a reason cops go after the poor, they are less likely to sue. Wouldn't change much if fines depended on income.

I prefer the idea of serving time, eg, picking up
roadside trash, reading limericks to prison inmates.
It's economically fair.
But government does love those fines.

 

[Revoltingest]

In theory, I can see this happening, but in practice? If I'm rich, I can pay for dash cams, radar detectors, lawyers, or any other tools I can take advantage of to protect myself. Not only that, but the rich tend to have power and connections at their disposal

I'm ok with that - but then again, I have no skin in that game

I don't use a radar detector.
How do I get away with avoiding speeding tickets?
I don't speed.
Connections are over-rated in traffic court.
Although the most advantaged people are
cops, who can flout the law with impunity.
They have real connections.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

It's the ones that think it, but don't say it that are the real threat!

I agree. Sometimes they smile all friendly and convincing.

 

[sun rise]

I don't use a radar detector.
How do I get away with avoiding speeding tickets?
I don't speed.
Connections are over-rated in traffic court.
Although the most advantaged people are
cops, who can flout the law with impunity.
They have real connections.

A cop can always claim he thought he saw a crime in progress.

 

[Revoltingest]

A cop can always claim he thought he saw a crime in progress.

Bogus cop claims...
I smelled MJ.
I smelled alcohol.
You were creating a disturbance.
You are suspicious.
You are nervous.
Are you OK? I must verify it.
Your pants are expired.

 

[Aštra’el]

I have not always, but in this time and place… I like laws, and rules, and codes. It imposes Order upon the Chaos around us.

As for the OP… no. I would not see unsuccessful people fined less than successful people for committing the same exact crimes.

 

[We Never Know]

Since fines are often imposed on individuals for the less criminal offences, but still breaking the law, should the rich be made to pay pro rata as to their wealth rather than just the same flat rate as the rest of us plebs? Given that such fines are rather meaningless to those wealthy enough not to miss tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds (dollars) let alone a few hundred. But not necessarily for the following example:

Rishi Sunak fined for not wearing seatbelt in back of car

The same crime should carry the same punishment whether one is wealthy or poor.

Sadly if one is wealthy they can hire good lawyes and get better deals whereas the poor get shafted in many cases.

As some say- "prisons are full of poor people"

 

[Subduction Zone]

I like Finland's methods of calculating traffic fines:

Xiao Chi Jie | Chinese Soup Dumplings | Frozen & Delivered Fresh

"The driver is then subjected to a fine that is proportional to what they earn. But how does it work in practice?

To calculate the amount of the fine, the Finnish authorities take into account several criteria, starting with the offender's net daily salary and the number of dependent children.

Depending on the offence, a scale determines the number of days of fines to be paid.

Sometimes this leads to comical results, as when in 2015 a millionaire had to pay a fine of more than €54,000 for a speeding offence of exceeding the limit by just over 20kph.

The absolute record is held by a motorcyclist, who had to pay €116,000 in 2002 for exceeding the speed limit by 25kph in a city.."

If one is poor one gets a very low fine. If one is rich one gets a very high fine. The idea is to make the pain the same.

 

[Quintessence]

It would be more interesting to transform this into obligatory community service.

To that guy who thought it was okay to clear cut an entire ecosystem of protected timber? Yeah, you now need to spend X number of hours replanting what you destroyed. Personally. No having anyone else do it. Have fun.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I've never been an advocate of imposing fines for crimes. I think punishment for crimes should be service. Fines potentially take food out of children's mouths, because some cannot afford to pay fines. However, everyone capable of committing a crime is capable of doing a service.

Yeah. If people can't afford food they can't afford a fine. And when you can't afford a fine the problems compile.
It's sad, but the courts have been "pay to win" long before video games existed, and when you can't afford to pay to play then the courts are especially vicious and cranked up to hard mode.