Speeding fines for the most serious cases in England and Wales will rise by up to 50% after a review of sentencing guidelines for magistrates’ courts.
Fines for the worst speeders will start at 150% of their weekly income, rather than 100%.
The most serious cases could include a driver caught doing 41mph in a 20mph zone, or 101mph on a motorway.
Animal cruelty captured on camera will also see a harsher sentence, with the most serious offenders sent to prison.
The Sentencing Council wants to ensure a “clear increase in penalty” as the seriousness of offending increases.
It said the changes were not intended to result in significant differences to current sentencing practice, but to target specific offences.
52,000 caught speeding on smart motorways
Speeding drivers taken to ‘Kids Court’
The current limit for a speeding fine is 100% of the driver’s weekly wage, up to £1,000 – or £2,500 if they are caught on a motorway.
When the new guidelines come into force on 24 April, magistrates will be able to increase the fine to 150% – although the upper cash limit will stay the same.
The most serious speeding cases subject to the rise
Speed limit
Recorded speed of driver
20mph
41-50mph
30mph
51-60mph
40mph
66-75mph
50mph
76-85mph
60mph
91-100mph
70mph
101-110mph
SOURCE: Sentencing Council
In 2015, 166,695 people in England and Wales were sentenced for speeding offences and 166,216 were fined.
The average fine was £188, but two people were also sent to prison.
The Sentencing Council held a consultation with magistrates and criminal justice professionals in 2016.
The feedback was that current guidelines “did not properly take into account the increase in potential harm that can result as speed above the speed limit increases”.
As a result, it has increased the penalty to send a clear message.
Do magistrates have to stick to the guidelines?
Sentencing guidelines must be followed, unless a judge or magistrate feels it is not in the interests of justice to do so
If a judge or magistrate believes that a guideline prevents the correct sentence from being given in an exceptional case, he or she can sentence outside of the guideline
Guidelines set sentencing ranges within the maximum for the offence as set out in current legislation
When legislation changes, guidelines are amended as appropriate
SOURCE: Sentencing Council
A number of other sentences have been looked at during the review, including those for animal cruelty.
For the first time, additional aggravating factors of “the use of technology to publicise or promote cruelty” and “an animal being used in public service or as an assistance dog” are being included – the latter highlighting the treatment of police dogs and horses.
The council said the most serious cases should lead to prison sentences, and the sentences should be of an appropriate length.
There will also be a new option for magistrates when sentencing people who have not paid their TV licence.
In 2015, 166,000 people were fined for licence fee evasion.
The new guidance means magistrates can impose a non-financial penalty, known as a conditional discharge, instead, meaning the person will not be sentenced unless they commit another offence.
This will only be used in cases where people have made significant efforts to pay the fee.
More than one million offenders go through magistrates court in England and Wales every year.
Malcolm Richardson, national chairman of the Magistrates Association, said it was essential magistrates had effective guidelines to help them give “fair and proportionate” sentences.
“These new guidelines will further help ensure the consistent effectiveness of the magistracy,” he said.
Council member and district judge Richard Williams said: “The magistrates’ courts deal with the vast majority of offenders in England and Wales, so it is essential that the guidelines they use are up-to-date and help ensure that sentences are applied consistently and effectively.”
Source link
The post Speeding fines to rise for most serious cases – Sentencing Council appeared first on 23on.com.