Evaluation of Fines Enforcement

• NCJ Number: 101158
• Author(s): R Brown; A Lee; S Holm; G Dunn; H Tavassoli
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 339 pages
• Corporate Author: New Zealand Dept of Justice
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: New Zealand
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. Study Series 15

Annotation

Following an examination of the effectiveness of fines as a sanction and existing fine enforcement systems, this report presents the results of an analysis of enforcement actions and fine recovery rates for a random sample of 3,036 fines imposed by the New Zealand District Court during 1981-82.

Abstract

Each fine was followed up for 12 months after imposition. Additional analyses were conducted to examine the relation between enforcement and court size and offense convictability, available enforcement actions and administrative responses, and attitudes of enforcement staff and fine recipients. Results indicate that almost 85 percent of fines are paid within 12 months. A significant proportion of these fines are paid without any enforcement action being taken. Thus, results suggest that the enforcement system is working reasonably effectively, particularly in view of the outdated nature of the enforcement procedures. Recommendations are presented for reducing the large volume of fines, streamlining the enforcement system, increasing public respect for the fine as a sanction, and ensuring the fairness of fine imposition. Facsimile questionnaires, supplemental research data, and 54 references.