Rigpig wrote:
SafeSpeed wrote:
The law depends on the perception that it's fair.
Does it? If the well off are forced to pay higher fines than those on lower wages then former may think this is unfair, the latter would probably maintain that it
was fair.
If on the other hand everyone has to pay the same fine for similar offences, the less well off may argue that they are paying out more of their disposable (er) income than the 'toffs'. In other words, the former think this is fair, the latter, unfair.
So by who's perception does the law have to be seen to be fair?
It's the
Law which must be seen to be fair. You're talking about the punishment.
If there was a law against stepping on cracks on the pavement, or against coughing in a public place, and the police were ready to pounce on everybody who accidentally stepped on a crack, or coughed, the law would be seen as being grossly unfair by virtually everyone. Nobody would be arguing over the amount of the fine, they'd be rightly calling for the law to be scrapped.
Regards
Peter
Fair point, well presented.