Fines

Most people have had to pay a fine at some point usually in the form of a speeding or parking ticket.

People convicted of more serious crimes also pay fines, although the amount of the fine is usually much more substantial than a fine for a parking or speeding ticket. The goal of imposing a fine is to punish the offender, help compensate the state for the offense, and deter any future criminal acts.

After someone is convicted of a crime, the sentencing judge has the discretion to impose a fine on the convicted defendant and to set the amount of the fine. This fine can take the place of a prison sentence or probation, or the judge can sentence a defendant to a fine in conjunction with a period of time behind bars or on probation.

The decision to levy a fine in lieu of prison time or probation depends on the type and severity of the crime, and whether or not the criminal statute in question carries any minimum sentencing requirements. Judges typically impose fines with no accompanying prison or probation time as an alternative sentence for minor crimes or first-time offenses. A fine is still a criminal sentence, however, and the defendant will have a criminal history even if they only pay a fine and do not go to prison or enter into probation.

The defendant pays the fine to the government, which differs from a restitution order where the defendant pays money to the victims of the crime.