The idea
Remove the legislation that allows police, local authorities and others to impose on the spot fines (other than for simple traffice offences).
Examples include a mother fined for dopping bread when feeding ducks, a motorist fined for blowing his nose at a traffic light, householders fined for putting bins out on the wrong day, or overfilling them, or not complying with complex recycling rules.
Why is it important?
These fines are unjust, applied inconsistently and are frequently disproportinate to the so-called offence. Legislation allows a wide range of non-criminal offences to be dealt with including truancy and environmental offences such as littering. Fines are given out at the discretion of council officers who are not trained and who effectively act as judge and jury. These fines are disporportianately punative for those on low incomes and there is no right of appeal. You can go to court but risk a higher fine if convicted. Legislation exists for bar and nightclub bouncers to be allowed to give out these fines.