Crime doesn't pay. Literally. Some $790 million is owing in unpaid fines, and the Justice department can't be bothered collecting fines from people that simply will not pay. And if crime doesn't pay, then as far as the criminal is concerned, crime does pay.
Punishment is not like a fishing expedition with a "catch and release" policy. If the Justice department cannot do their job, then they need to think of a better plan than a variation of "tax the rich".
Surely not paying fines is a crime? If so, the people get arrested and the judge makes them pay for their crimes in ways other than money.
I suspect most fine defaulters are those that are unemployed and on a benefit. They may simply not have the resources to pay, and being on a benefit gives them no incentive to stick to the straight and narrow with large fines hanging over their heads. It must be tough. Not as tough being a victim though.
So apart from making defaulters indentured slaves to force them to actually serve out community time (somewhat tempting, but I will not go there) how about we take at least something in payment for non-payment?
Translate unpaid fines into jail time or community service, and add a "no voting rights" penalty for such people. That would mean no right to vote for the next election for fine defaulters. Currently, you cannot vote if you are serving 3 years or more I think. Time to lower the threshold.
Furthermore, we need to come down harder on people failing to perform their community service. Same deal, they lose their right to vote in the next election if they don't pay their time fine.
What other benefits of society can we withdraw for people who refuse to act like good citizens, and for people that cannot or will not pay for their crimes?
Related Link: DomPost front page story.
Updated 26/4/09: Adjusted my "voting rights" paragraph to be more relevant to unpaid fines.
Punishment is not like a fishing expedition with a "catch and release" policy. If the Justice department cannot do their job, then they need to think of a better plan than a variation of "tax the rich".
Surely not paying fines is a crime? If so, the people get arrested and the judge makes them pay for their crimes in ways other than money.
I suspect most fine defaulters are those that are unemployed and on a benefit. They may simply not have the resources to pay, and being on a benefit gives them no incentive to stick to the straight and narrow with large fines hanging over their heads. It must be tough. Not as tough being a victim though.
So apart from making defaulters indentured slaves to force them to actually serve out community time (somewhat tempting, but I will not go there) how about we take at least something in payment for non-payment?
Translate unpaid fines into jail time or community service, and add a "no voting rights" penalty for such people. That would mean no right to vote for the next election for fine defaulters. Currently, you cannot vote if you are serving 3 years or more I think. Time to lower the threshold.
Furthermore, we need to come down harder on people failing to perform their community service. Same deal, they lose their right to vote in the next election if they don't pay their time fine.
What other benefits of society can we withdraw for people who refuse to act like good citizens, and for people that cannot or will not pay for their crimes?
Related Link: DomPost front page story.
Updated 26/4/09: Adjusted my "voting rights" paragraph to be more relevant to unpaid fines.
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