HITTING criminals with more automatic fines is guaranteed to hurt those who can least afford it, the state's peak legal body has warned. The government wants people sentenced in the Magistrates Court to pay a mandatory $50 levy, which jumps to $150 for those sentenced in the Supreme Court. Criminals will still need to pay an existing victims of crime levy as well as court costs. Funds raised through the new levy will be funnelled back into consolidated revenue to help shore up the state's coffers. Courts will not have a choice about whether or not to impose the conviction costs, but child offenders will not have to pay. Tasmanian Law Society president Matthew Verney labelled the fees "just another tax". Mr Verney said the extra levies had no place in the state's criminal justice system. "This is a blatant revenue-raising exercise imposing an additional burden without any discretion," he said. "Invariably, these penalties are imposed on people who can't afford them. "If then they can't pay, all of the other ramifications which flow from not paying fines are bound to start adding up." Those who fail to pay may have their driver's licence or vehicle registration suspended, property seized or sold, or their wages and savings diverted. People sentenced for more than one offence in the same proceeding will only pay one fee, but the costs will apply whether a conviction is recorded or not. The costs cannot be waived or converted to a fine or imprisonment. Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin said offenders deserved to contribute to running the court system. "Other jurisdictions such as Queensland and NSW have a similar regime in place to help pay for the cost of the court case," she said. "The criminal justice system is a significant expense and it is appropriate that convicted offenders contribute directly to the cost." The proposed new sanctions are yet to be debated in Parliament.
HITTING criminals with more automatic fines is guaranteed to hurt those who can least afford it, the state's peak legal body has warned.
The government wants people sentenced in the Magistrates Court to pay a mandatory $50 levy, which jumps to $150 for those sentenced in the Supreme Court.
Criminals will still need to pay an existing victims of crime levy as well as court costs.
Funds raised through the new levy will be funnelled back into consolidated revenue to help shore up the state's coffers.
Courts will not have a choice about whether or not to impose the conviction costs, but child offenders will not have to pay.
Tasmanian Law Society president Matthew Verney labelled the fees "just another tax".
Mr Verney said the extra levies had no place in the state's criminal justice system.
"This is a blatant revenue-raising exercise imposing an additional burden without any discretion," he said.
"Invariably, these penalties are imposed on people who can't afford them.
"If then they can't pay, all of the other ramifications which flow from not paying fines are bound to start adding up."
Those who fail to pay may have their driver's licence or vehicle registration suspended, property seized or sold, or their wages and savings diverted.
People sentenced for more than one offence in the same proceeding will only pay one fee, but the costs will apply whether a conviction is recorded or not.
The costs cannot be waived or converted to a fine or imprisonment.
Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin said offenders deserved to contribute to running the court system.
"Other jurisdictions such as Queensland and NSW have a similar regime in place to help pay for the cost of the court case," she said.
"The criminal justice system is a significant expense and it is appropriate that convicted offenders contribute directly to the cost."
The proposed new sanctions are yet to be debated in Parliament.
