Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004
Any criminal offence committed after 1st April 2007 where a financial penalty is imposed now carries the 'Victim Surcharge' - a flat rate £15 levy to be paid into a fund aimed at improving services for victims of crime. Although the surcharge will not apply to fixed penalty notices, the charge is being added to fines on all financial penalties before criminal courts, and this includes motoring offences. Many have criticised this, as most traffic offences are effectively victimless.
Furthermore, some have questioned the government's motives. Whilst acknowledging that criminals are financially
punished, many organisations such as Victim Support point out that the government should make provision for victims
directly. For its part, the Home Office says that the measure is part of Home Secretary John Reid's attempt to
rebalance the criminal justice system in favour of victims. 'X-Pro News' understands that court staff have been
told that priority of enforcement is compensation, then the new surcharge, then costs, and lastly the fine itself.
The Act can be found here. Explanatory notes here.
© X-Pro 2007
|
|
