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| Kickstart |
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Kickstart
The Oracle
Joined: 04 Feb 2002
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 Posted: 07:39 - 20 Jul 2009  Post subject: Criminal compensation reduced for speeders |
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Hi
Seems the government are not happy with just hitting people with the "victims surcharge" minor speeding tickets, but are also directing that anyone with an unspent conviction (including for a minor speeding offence) will have the compensation they can claim from the government should they be the victim of violent crime by between 10% and 25%.
Newspaper link
| Daily Mail wrote: |
Crime compensation slashed if victim has been caught speeding
By Matthew Hickley
Last updated at 12:32 AM on 20th July 2009
Violent crime victims are having thousands of pounds slashed from their state compensation payouts if they have previously been given speeding fines.
The policy - condemned by critics as an unfair system of double jeopardy punishments - was slipped out without any announcement by the Ministry of Justice.
It is expected to save the Government millions of pounds by reducing costs for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, which makes cash payments from public funds to victims of assaults and to the families of murder victims.
In extreme cases an assault victim suffering lasting paralysis could lose almost £40,000 if they have been given a £100 speeding fine within the past two years.
Opposition critics hit out at what they called a 'revolting' cost-cutting measure, accusing ministers of punishing the most minor offenders a second time, simply to reduce spending, and applying disproportionate penalties for relatively trivial incidents.
Changes to the rules governing the CICA scheme were introduced last November and now involve far greater financial penalties against those making compensation claims.
As many as five million motorists are at risk of reduced compensation, as the courts hand out up to a million motoring fines a year and convictions are only 'spent' after five years.
In the past CICA payments could be reduced where 'the applicant's character as shown by his criminal convictions makes it inappropriate that a full award should be made'.
But that did not include such minor offences as speeding and anyone fined less than £250, or who was fined more than two years previously, could expect to be compensated in full.
The vast majority of motoring fines fall well below the £250 cut-off point. In 2006 the average was £142.
But now CICA staff have been told to make deductions for all unspent convictions including minor motoring matters, 'unless there are exceptional circumstances'.
Payments will be slashed by between 10 and 25 per cent - the same reductions that apply to rapists and murderers.
Enlarge
The cuts even apply to compensation for murders, where the standard CICA payout is £11,000 to the bereaved family.
Shadow justice secretary Dominic Grieve said: 'The idea that a rape victim or the parents of a murdered child should have their compensation docked for a speeding conviction years earlier is a revolting proposition.'
The Ministry of Justice was unable to say how much money the Government has saved thanks to the new rules.
A spokesman insisted a full consultation had been carried out 'to ensure a fair and consistent approach'.
She added: 'There was a feeling that if you've committed a driving offence then you have cost the justice system money. That should be reflected if you receive compensation later on.' |
All the best
Keith
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Mr Calendar
Joined: 14 Jun 2004
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Posted: 08:18 - 20 Jul 2009  Post subject: Re: Criminal compensation reduced for speeders |
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| Kickstart wrote: | ... | Daily Mail wrote: |
...A spokesman insisted a full consultation had been carried out...
She added: 'There was a feeling that if you've committed a driving offence then you have cost the justice system money. That should be reflected if you receive compensation later on.' |
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 So what are fines for if not to recompense the justice system?
There's also the philosophy that if you've done the time (paid the fine) you have a clean slate (well points on licence not withstanding). Speeding is classed as a criminal offence and the conviction is only spent after 5 years.
However, IMO public opinion is the it is a minor offence. That said, if you kill somebody while speeding then the courts only appear to regard that as a minor offence, in direct contradiction to public opinion where it's a big of a biggie. So, where's the consistency?
This just seems unfair.
The fact that a human life is also valued at just £11,000, regardless of age, is also a sad reflection, but perhaps a topic in its own right.
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| LordShaftesbu... |
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LordShaftesbu...
World Chat Champion
Joined: 03 Sep 2008
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Posted: 06:53 - 21 Jul 2009  Post subject: |
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What the hell? What's speeding got to do with being assaulted?
What's next, if you don't recycle you get turned away at the hospital door? |
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| ms51ves3 |
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ms51ves3
Super Spammer
Joined: 07 Jun 2007
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| motorcycledir... |
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motorcycledir...
L Plate Warrior
Joined: 27 Aug 2009
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| Posted: 11:03 - 28 Aug 2009 Post subject: |
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Keith
This is bordering on crazy news - the two things are completely unrelated and should not be connected.
Speeding should NOT be considered a crime. I've seen videos of policemen admitting they speed once in a while. I've just read this post https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=178823 about the prison sentence from speeding, and am shocked.
I accept speeding can LEAD to death, but not definitely.
Punishing crime victims by labeling them criminals due to speeding fines seems to be a way to reduce government costs, and not protect the public.
Matt
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 16 years, 197 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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I guess that is for another thread though.
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