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– Tax banditry in States II |
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Fines: state diversions
Last year, fines brought in 311.5 million euros for the federal state, or 12.6 million more than in 2005 (+4.2%). Half of this amount comes from traffic fines, according to figures from the Federal Public Service Finances published by Het Laatste Nieuws. The immediate collection of traffic fines, particularly in the event of an offense relating to wearing a seat belt or speeding, made it possible to collect 185.9 million euros last year. “Transactional payments”, that is to say amicable arrangements with the prosecution, represented 70.6 million. Fines following convictions by police courts brought in 42 million euros and convictions before other courts 13 million euros, making a total of 55 million. (Belga 03/30/2007)
If these fines are the sanction for reprehensible behavior, they must retain their character as fines. In other words, they cannot constitute a – new – means for the State to finance itself, a – new – disguised tax. It seems that for several years, driving fines have been donated to a road prevention fund. If that’s the case, so be it. But the other amounts? The purpose of fines is to punish infractions, not to cover the state’s lifestyle. There is here a real diversion of criminal sanctions from their organic purpose for the benefit of an outdated State, dedicated first and foremost to itself, and which authorizes everything without limit or control.
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