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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 17, 2013 09:51 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Susan C. Helm |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Increasing the Fine for a Summary Offense |
| At the suggestion of a magisterial district judge, I will be introducing legislation to increase the fine associated with a summary offense. Currently, the fine for a summary offense is an amount not to exceed $300. The next level of fine levied is that of a misdemeanor of the third degree which is set at a fine of $2,500. My legislation would increase the fine for a summary offense, which is the lowest level of crime under the Crimes Code, to an amount not to exceed $1,000. The fine for a summary offense was created in 1972, and the amount has not been amended since. I think we can all agree the value of money has changed significantly since then, yet the penalty ‘range’ has not kept pace with that change in time. As the law stands today, a person can violate a local summary ordinance as simple as permitting the grass to exceed six inches and receive a fine up to $1,000 a day, and yet a spouse could slap their partner without causing injury and receive a fine not to exceed $300. Likewise, the owner of a dog could fail to confine a dog to their property and receive a higher fine than someone who commits a retail theft. I believe it is time to increase the fine for a summary offense to a suitable fine against the individual who commits certain types of crimes. |
Introduced as HB1950