surcharge on fines

[bullpen]

I read with great interest that a surcharge can now be imposed on top of a fine for an offence where there is no victim. A magistrate refused to impose the surcharge on a fine for speeding as he didnt agree with it. He later resigned as a magistrate. I ask whether this surcharge is legal or is it another tax to fill Gordon Browns coffers

[pauln90]

The money raised is supposed to pay for improved Victim Support services.

http://society.guardian.co.uk/crimeandpunishme nt/story/0,,2046532,00.html

[seatrout]

It is purely a stealth tax. Anyone who is fined in the magistrates court will now pay a �15 surcharge. The magistrates have been given guidance that they must not reduce the fine to take account of the surcharge, so the �15 is on top of the fine.

The money goes to victim support and particularly to those victims of domestic violence. So all you speeding motorists and s172 failures will pay towards the rehabilitation of those who who beat up their wives. The irony is that the perpetrators of domestic violence dont get fined (usually) and are hardly ever ordered to pay compensation to their victims