Statutory Fines in Illinois
Statutory fines in Illinois are monetary penalties that can be imposed for violations of state laws. They are set forth in the Unified Code of Corrections under 730 ILCS 5/5-9-1.Some key things to know about statutory fines in Illinois:
- They can be imposed in addition to or instead of jail/prison time for criminal offenses. The amount of the fine varies depending on the type and severity of the offense.
- Fines are categorized into different classes based on the seriousness of the offense. For example, Class A misdemeanors have higher maximum fines than Class C misdemeanors.
- There are mandatory fines for certain offenses, like DUI. For a first DUI offense, there is a mandatory fine of $500 to $2,500.
- The money collected from criminal fines goes to various state and local funds, such as the State Police Services Fund and the Spinal Cord Injury Paralysis Cure Research Trust Fund.
- Judges have discretion in setting the amount of the fine within the defined statutory range for the offense. They can consider factors like the defendant’s income level and ability to pay.
- Failure to pay criminal fines can result in further legal consequences, like driver’s license suspension or wage garnishment to collect the money owed.
There has been some controversy around the use of fines in the criminal justice system. Critics argue that high fines disproportionately impact low-income defendants. There are also concerns about conflicts of interest when courts and local governments rely heavily on fine revenue.
Overall, statutory fines play an important role in punishing offenses and generating state and local funds in Illinois. But there are complex policy issues around their fair and equitable implementation. Recent reforms have aimed to improve fine and fee practices, but further changes may be needed.