If justice is legal then why are fines based on a pre-defined dollar amount and not on a percentage of one's income? If a rich person gets a fine of $2500, this is petty cash, but if a poor person gets the same fine it is a months pay. Are the lessons learned equal?
2006-09-26 18:00:05 · 6 answers · asked by Mr Mojo Risin 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
US law is based on English common law, which means if one person is fined $5 for going 5 mph too fast then all people are fined $5 for going too fast.
2006-09-26 18:08:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
many times, fines ARE levied by judges based on assets available
this is NOT equal
equal would mean, well, equal
equal fines for equal violation
when fines are employed, the purpose is not always to teach a lesson
sometimes the purpose is to compensate "society" for the violation and the same violation then should get the same fine
in practicality, there is no reasonable way for the courts to determine a persons "ability to pay" and so such a system could not be successfully administered even if it were designed for that
2006-09-27 01:06:17 · answer #2 · answered by enginerd 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Justice is indeed equal. The reason for the pre-defined dollar amount of fines is because poor people are worse than rich people. Poor people deserve to be hurt more by fines than do rich people, because they're lazy and stupid, whereas rich people are rich because they're smart and hard-working. Hope this helps!
2006-09-27 01:04:53 · answer #3 · answered by Brian 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Best justice system money can buy. If you can't pay the fine, don't do the crime. . .
How is it "equal" to require me to give my financial info out each time I get a speeding ticket? I am thinking the flat rate is the best - if you can't afford the penalty, then don't commit the crime, right? I would think that in itself would be a detourant.
2006-09-27 01:09:50 · answer #4 · answered by volleyballchick (cowards block) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The more money you have, the more you support the government anyway with your taxes. So in a way, it is semi-fair. As long as they system is being run by predefined rules and biased opinions, it'll never be fair. If one was smart, they'd stay away from trouble altogether.
2006-09-27 01:08:41 · answer #5 · answered by Answerer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no there is no equal justice. if you have the capital there is no punishment.
2006-09-27 02:48:36 · answer #6 · answered by nellie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋