Aren't criminal fines unfair to the poor being that they are more likely to feel "punished?

Question

Wouldn't it be more fair to have criminal fines be a percentage of the violaters income or find some other way to punish people (community service, probation, jail time, etc.) that is more equitable? Most fines are a standardized amount set by statute. Obviously, if you break the law enough times you become a habitual violater and you will serve jail time, which is the same for rich and poor, but the first few offenses for the wealthy are essentially free while the poor begin "punishment" their first offense. Aren't people to be afforded equal protection under the law regardless of class, economic or otherwise? Aren't fines just a way for the government to supplement their budget?

Answer 1

For those who do not have a supplemental income, the judge can put them on probation. During that time, the violator would have to pay the minor probation fees and could do community service to fulfill the amount needed for the citation fine. The violator would be able to get off of probation once the fines have been paid/worked off.

No matter if you are rich, poor, young, or old, if you break the law, you break the law and fines will be imposed.

As for your question - "Aren't people to be afforded equal protection under the law regardless of class, economic or otherwise?" - You answered it, and contradicted yourself.

It's interesting how you would like the jail time to be the same for rich or poor, but you think the fines should reflect differently based on income.

Fines are a STANDARDIZED amount set by statute. If one person gets a ticket for 14 miles over and has to pay $75, another doing the same mileage will not get a ticket for $125. The same goes for other violations as well.

Now that would be unfair and unjust.

Answer 2

Following your logic, I, while not rich, could afford a few tickets without hurting the budget too much. Does that then make me more likely to break the law?

Or, since "poor" people know that they can't pay their rent this month if they get a ticket, don't you think that would make them be more careful?

We can't legislate every thing in terms of what anyone person thinks is fair. If you and I do the exact same crime, why should more be taken from me just because I am presently at a point where I have more resources than you?

Your interpretation of the equal protection under the law argument would seem slanted by implying that someone that has more doesn't deserve it, regardless of how they have achieved it.

Answer 3

Statistically, they are. fairly some learn regarding this thought have been performed, which contains The Bell Curve that's the thought that a persons' IQ will verify their socioeconomic type. although the main extreme thought to this question is the Social Disorganization thought and the Social tension thought which states that specific societies might very properly inspire its voters to dedicate crimes. it extremely is understood that individuals replace right into a made of their environments, that's to assert that if youre poor, you dont have the skill to make money and succeed via the criteria that society has set, and could motel to crime as a manner to realize that status.

Answer 4

You are kidding I hope. Have you ever heard the expression, "If you can't stand the heat, then stay out of the kitchen"? The idea is to not break the law in the first place. And how many times do you have to break the law before you get it in your head that it's wrong? How many fines will it take to knock some sense into your head? I think I have just seen the doozy of questions.

Answer 5

Actually, a standardized "time in jail" isn't fair to older people, since it means it costs them more of their remaining "time."