I retired from the magistracy in 2015 after 17 years mainly as a presiding justice

United Kingdom
My current blog can be accessed at https://thejusticeofthepeaceblog.blogspot.com/

SHOULD CELEBRITIES BE FINED ACCORDING TO THEIR MILLIONAIRE MEANS?

 24. Aug. 2010. – 13:57:45 

It`s unusual to comment on offences in far away jurisdictions of which we know little but the case of Lewis Hamilton`s four wheeled escapade on the public roads of Melbourne Australia is interesting not for the reasons for behaving like a Jack-the-Lad instead of one of the best racing drivers this or any other country has produced. No; it`s because even as a defendant with presumably no record of “previous” down under he was fined the maximum possible under Aussie Rules at Melbourne Magistrates` Court for what they term “hoon” or reckless driving when he was fined the maximum amount of $10,000AUID; about £5,725. 

Although I have no experience of having a multi millionaire sports star before me [they are usually reserved for the DJ…bah humbug] it is rare to read of individuals of such worth being fined the maximum possible for driving offences which do not cause injury. Careless driving attracts a maximum of £5,000 + possible disqualification. In January, a Swiss driver was fined $290,000 - the current world record. When an offender is caught speeding Swiss law takes into account the wealth of the driver and the speed recorded. 

When individuals` wealth is measured in tens of millions even disqualification does not bring the same inconvenience as it would to most of us. Drivers can be hired for as long as needed. Perhaps we have something to learn in this regard from the clock makers.

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