Fine: legal definition and example

Definition

A fine is a pecuniary sanction imposed by a judicial or administrative authority in response to an offence or violation of the law.

Example

Of course you can! Let’s take the example of a driver who exceeds the authorized speed limit on a road. If this driver is stopped by the police and found guilty of the offence, he could be fined by a judicial or administrative authority. This fine would be a pecuniary sanction, meaning that he would have to pay a sum of money in response to his violation of the law. The fine is therefore a deterrent measure to encourage citizens to respect the rules and laws in force in our society.

Quote and reference

Here are a few quotations from Canadian law on the legal term “fine”:

– According to section 787 of the Criminal Code of Canada: “When a person is convicted of an offence, the court may, in addition to any other punishment it may impose, impose a fine on the person.”

– Section 49 of the Canada Customs Act states: “Every person who contravenes this Act or any regulations made thereunder is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars”.

– Section 197 of the Canada Elections Act states: “Every person who contravenes this Act or any regulations made under it is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars”.

– Section 11 of Canada’s Provincial Offences Act states: “Every person who contravenes any provision of this Act or the regulations made under it is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars”.