Criminal Court Charge

[nailit]

I noticed on another thread that New Judge mentioned a newly introduced "criminal court charge".
Can anyone tell me more about this, never heard of it before.
Seems to me like another way of government collecting yet more revenue (along with the victim surcharge) Never yet seen a victim been the recipitent of the victim surcharge.
So let me get this right. A defendent now has to pay
1) A fine
2) Court costs
3) A victim surcharge
4) Criminal court charge
5) solicitors fees

Blimey, at this rate I wont be able to afford getting arrested again...

[Buenchico]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32078676

[nailit]

Thanks for link Buen.
From the link //convicted criminals can also be ordered to make payments to cover compensation for victims, as well as a Victim Surcharge - which funds victims' services.//
A few years ago I pleaded guilty to spitting at a police officer. (it was at a time when I wasnt fully compis mentis so to speak, I ended up in the local psych ward not long after and I have no memory of doing it) But I was ordered to pay the police officer 400 quid compo ( even my solicitor was gobsmacked at the amount) plus court costs etc. So just where does the victim surcharge come in? The 'victim' was the officer and hes already recieved 400 notes of me.
This criminal court charge is just another tax in my eyes.
Personally if I was lumbered with this on top of other costs I'd rather just do a bit of time behind the door and that will cost the taxpayer more in the long run.

[Buenchico]

The Victim Surcharge goes to the Victim and Witness General Fund, which provides grants to charitable bodies. it is unrelated to the victim of the actual crime. (Many criminal offences don't actually have any victims - e.g. driving without due care and attention - but the offender must still pay the Victim Surcharge).

List of bodies receiving money from the Fund:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/220079/vic-witness-general-fund-awards.pdf

General info about the Victim Surcharge:
https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/about-sentencing/types-of-sentence/other-orders-made-on-sentencing/what-is-the-victim-surcharge/

[sandyRoe]

There was a time when police officer's uniforms seemed made of tissue paper. People who had a run in with them would also find themselves saddled with the cost of replacing one when they reached court.

[New Judge]

Yes, just to expand a bit on what ‘Chico has provided:

1. A Fine.

If a fine is imposed it is assessed according to the defendant’s means and generally must be payable within a year.

2. Court costs

These are more properly “prosecution costs”. They are a contribution towards the cost of bringing the prosecution (i.e. the costs incurred by the CPS). Typically in a Magistrates’ court prosecution costs for a guilty plea are about £85 and for running a trial around £350 to £600. The court has discretion to refuse to order these costs or to vary the amount requested.

3. A victim surcharge

As ‘Chico says, this goes towards various bodies which assist victims. The amount imposed depends on the sentence. A Conditional Discharge - £15. A Fine – 10% of the fine (£20 minimum, £120 maximum). A Community Order - £60. A suspended sentence order - £80 (£100 if sentence is more than 6 months). Although legislation is in place to impose a Victim Surcharge for immediate custodial sentences it has not yet been enacted.

The court has no discretion to vary these amounts and no discretion to refuse to order them.

4) Criminal court charge

This was introduced for offences committed on or after 13th April 2015 and is intended to offset the cost of actually running the court system. The amount varies according to the plea and type of offence. Guilty pleas: £150 for a “Summary” Offence; £180 for an “Either Way” offence. Not Guilty Pleas: £520 for a summary offence; £1,000 for an “either way” offence.

The court has no discretion to vary these amounts and no discretion to refuse to order them.

5. solicitors fees

Nothing to do with the court system. A private matter between the defendant and his solicitor.

6. You forgot compensation. The court may award compensation to individual victims for loss or injury. This is entirely at the court's discretion. It must be within the defendant's means and generally payable within 2 years (and its payment takes priority over all of the above).

Somebody appearing in court and pleading guilty to speeding now pays a fine (say £150), a Victim Surcharge (£20 - no discretion), Prosecution costs (say £85) and the Criminal Court Charge (£150 - no discretion). Total £405. A snip !