Won't Pay or Can't Pay? Exploring the Use of Fines as a Sentencing Alternative for Public Nuisance Type Offences in Queensland

Abstract

The complex relationship between marginalized people, 'public nuisance type offences' and fines law is explored. Court observation research conducted in Brisbane is reported which suggests that indigent people are more likely than others to appear before the court on charges related to public space offences, and that they are just as likely as others to receive a fine in response to their offending behaviour despite the legislative provisions aimed at avoiding this