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.<\/p>\n
A driver caught doing 41mph in a 20mph zone, or 101mph on a motorway, could be fined 150% of their weekly income<\/a>.<\/p>\n Animal cruelty captured on camera<\/a> will see a harsher sentence, with the most serious offenders sent to prison.<\/p>\n But the least serious cases of TV licence payment evasion<\/a> will no longer result in a fine.<\/p>\n The Sentencing Council said it wanted to ensure a “clear increase in penalty” as the seriousness of offending increases.\u00a0 It said the changes were not intended to result in significant differences to current sentencing practice, but to target specific offences.<\/p>\n The current limit for a speeding fine is 100% of the driver’s weekly wage, up to \u00a31,000 – or \u00a32,500 if they are caught on a motorway.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n Source: Sentencing Council<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n In 2015, 166,695 people in England and Wales were sentenced for speeding offences and 166,216 were fined.\u00a0 The average fine was \u00a3188, but two people were also sent to prison.\u00a0 The Sentencing Council held a consultation with magistrates and criminal justice professionals in 2016.\u00a0 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”.\u00a0 As a result, it has increased the penalty to send a clear message.<\/p>\n Source: Sentencing Council<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n A number of other sentences have been looked at during the review, including those for animal cruelty.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 The council said the most serious cases should lead to prison sentences, and the sentences should be of an appropriate length.<\/p>\n In cases of TV licence fee evasion, the new guidance means magistrates can impose a non-financial penalty, known as a conditional discharge, 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.\u00a0 In 2015, 166,000 people were fined for licence fee evasion.\u00a0 More than one million offenders go through magistrates court in England and Wales every year.<\/p>\n Malcolm Richardson, national chairman of the Magistrates Association, said it was essential magistrates had effective guidelines to help them give “fair and proportionate” sentences.<\/p>\n “These new guidelines will further help ensure the consistent effectiveness of the magistracy,” he said.<\/p>\n 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.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Source\u00a0 bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\n
The most serious speeding cases subject to the rise<\/h2>\n
\n
Do magistrates have to stick to the guidelines?<\/h2>\n
\n
‘Fair and proportionate’<\/h2>\n