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Fines

Fines are monetary penalties.

A fine can be issued as a stand alone penalty or in conjunction with another sentencing order. A conviction may or may not be recorded. Judges and magistrates have the discretion to impose a fine less than the maximum penalty.

The amounts of fines for specific offences are referred to in penalty units. The penalty unit amount is indexed yearly and for 2006-07 is $107.43. The number of penalty units for each level of offence are:

• Level 1 - there is no provision for a fine to be given for a level 1 crime
• Level 2 - 3000 penalty units
• Level 3 - 2400 penalty units
• Level 4 - 1800 penalty units
• Level 5 - 1200 penalty units
• Level 6 - 600 penalty units
• Level 7 - 240 penalty units
• Level 8 - 120 penalty units
• Level 9 - 60 penalty units
• Level 10 - 10 penalty units
• Level 11 - 5 penalty units
  
• Level 12 - 1 penalty unit

The law relating to fines is contained in sections 49-69 of the Sentencing Act 1991.