NCJ Number
128741
Journal
Bulletin of the Criminological Research Department Dated: (1989) Pages: 1-3
Date Published
1989
Length
2 pages
Annotation
Information from criminal records formed the basis of an analysis of the influence of such economic changes as rapid price and wage rises on the practice of imposing fines as penalties for certain crimes in Japan, current problems in imposing fines, and possible solutions.
Abstract
The analysis grouped fines into four groups: low, middle, high, and ultra-high. Results showed that the amounts of fines have not increased as rapidly as have wages and prices since the penal code was enacted in 1907. Therefore, minor fines are imposed only in exceptional cases, and the use of other small fines is also declining. In addition, the distribution of actual fines is uneven, and fines above 200,000 yen are not imposed. Moreover, imposing the maximum fine for cases in the low group is insufficient; as a result, imprisonment is often unwillingly imposed. Findings show the need to raise fines drastically and in accordance with the economic changes that have taken place since 1907.