Should all criminals be fined and/or pay restitution to victims?

[ShyGuyInChicago]

1. Should all criminals be fined for their offenses regardless of whether they are incarcerated or not?
2. Should all criminals be forced to pay compensation to their victims and their families?

If so how much and in what form? I had violent and sex crimes especially in mind.

[Amnesiac]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that criminals usually don't have much money. That's why they're criminals.

As such, I seriously doubt this kind of system would be feasible.

[ShyGuyInChicago]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that criminals usually don't have much money. That's why they're criminals.

As such, I seriously doubt this kind of system would be feasible.

What about taking whatever money and assets they own and then having them work to pay off the rest if possible.

[Cloud]

1. Should all criminals be fined for their offenses regardless of whether they are incarcerated or not?
2. Should all criminals be forced to pay compensation to their victims and their families?

If so how much and in what form? I had violent and sex crimes especially in mind.

Life cannot be replaced by money
simple as that

but if its property damage then they should have to pay for it

[ShyGuyInChicago]

Life cannot be replaced by money
simple as that

but if its property damage then they should have to pay for it

In compensation, I meant some covering funeral expenses, medical expenses, counseling expenses, and lost wages and money problem that being victim of a crime can cause.

[Cloud]

In compensation, I meant some covering funeral expenses, medical expenses, counseling expenses, and lost wages and money problem that being victim of a crime can cause.

thats a good point actually.

but then that will cost tax payers when the criminal is released they will require rehoming by the government

maybe not all of their assets
but a percentage depending on their family, sentence and crime

[huginnmuninn]

if they have money then a certain amount but if they dont then a percentage of their wages when they get a job

[Sith Lord 13]

Life cannot be replaced by money
simple as that

True, but that doesn't mean financial compensation isn't part of an appropriate sentence.

Say, for example, someone killed my dad. While no amount of money would bring him back, one of the complicating factors from his death is the fact that was the main provider for our household. Without him providing financial backing, I would most likely be forced to drop out of college and seek a full time job to try and pay the bills. I feel financial restitution here would be appropriate, as their act would otherwise jeopardize my chance at completing college in a timely fashion. Also, anything that furthers the likelihood of someone not committing a crime is a good thing. When there's a financial disincentive, it may make people more reluctant, if only slightly.

[Amnesiac]

What about taking whatever money and assets they own and then having them work to pay off the rest if possible.

I don't know, the idea of the government seizing property has never appealed to me. You have to add in the risk of incarcerating innocent people, as well as the fact that many criminals are homeless.

It wouldn't be fair that one family gets more compensation than another family for a crime.

[ShyGuyInChicago]

I don't know, the idea of the government seizing property has never appealed to me. You have to add in the risk of incarcerating innocent people, as well as the fact that many criminals are homeless.

It wouldn't be fair that one family gets more compensation than another family for a crime.

Families should only get the money that they need.

[steve1234]

Yes they should have to pay compensation. Although money won't be able to repair the damage from a rape or murder, it can certainly help the families affected and act as an extra punishment to the criminal.

Here in the UK, criminals get off lightly. When murderers or rapists are jailed for life, this can mean anything from about 5 to about 40 years which is stupid. Murderers and rapists etc should be jailed for LIFE! Seeing as this won't ever happen in the UK, they should have to pay heavy compensation fines.

Also, I think criminals should have to pay for their stay in prison, instead of the taxpayer having to pay for it. Of course, it won't apply to those who have no money, but many criminals do have money.

[Amnesiac]

Families should only get the money that they need.

Sure, but even then, as I said, some criminals simply don't have money. They're homeless; they become criminals because they believe it's the only way they can fend for themselves.