Vulpix
07-20-2009, 07:27 AM
Crime compensation slashed if victim has been caught speeding (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1200784/Crime-compensation-slashed-victim-caught-speeding.html)
By Matthew Hickley (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=y&authornamef=Matthew+Hickley)
Last updated at 12:32 AM on 20th July 2009
Violent crime victims are having thousands of pounds slashed from their state compensation payouts if they have previously been given speeding fines.
The policy - condemned by critics as an unfair system of double jeopardy punishments - was slipped out without any announcement by the Ministry of Justice.
It is expected to save the Government millions of pounds by reducing costs for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, which makes cash payments from public funds to victims of assaults and to the families of murder victims.
In extreme cases an assault victim suffering lasting paralysis could lose almost £40,000 if they have been given a £100 speeding fine within the past two years.
Opposition critics hit out at what they called a 'revolting' cost-cutting measure, accusing ministers of punishing the most minor offenders a second time, simply to reduce spending, and applying disproportionate penalties for relatively trivial incidents.
Changes to the rules governing the CICA scheme were introduced last November and now involve far greater financial penalties against those making compensation claims.
As many as five million motorists are at risk of reduced compensation, as the courts hand out up to a million motoring fines a year and convictions are only 'spent' after five years.
In the past CICA payments could be reduced where 'the applicant's character as shown by his criminal convictions makes it inappropriate that a full award should be made'.
But that did not include such minor offences as speeding and anyone fined less than £250, or who was fined more than two years previously, could expect to be compensated in full.
The vast majority of motoring fines fall well below the £250 cut-off point. In 2006 the average was £142.
But now CICA staff have been told to make deductions for all unspent convictions including minor motoring matters, 'unless there are exceptional circumstances'.
Payments will be slashed by between 10 and 25 per cent - the same reductions that apply to rapists and murderers.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/07/19/article-1200784-05C57537000005DC-921_468x336.jpg (http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/07/19/article-1200784-05C57537000005DC-921_468x336_popup.jpg)
The cuts even apply to compensation for murders, where the standard CICA payout is £11,000 to the bereaved family.
Shadow justice secretary Dominic Grieve said: 'The idea that a rape victim or the parents of a murdered child should have their compensation docked for a speeding conviction years earlier is a revolting proposition.'
The Ministry of Justice was unable to say how much money the Government has saved thanks to the new rules.
A spokesman insisted a full consultation had been carried out 'to ensure a fair and consistent approach'.
She added: 'There was a feeling that if you've committed a driving offence then you have cost the justice system money. That should be reflected if you receive compensation later on.'
By Matthew Hickley (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=y&authornamef=Matthew+Hickley)
Last updated at 12:32 AM on 20th July 2009
Violent crime victims are having thousands of pounds slashed from their state compensation payouts if they have previously been given speeding fines.
The policy - condemned by critics as an unfair system of double jeopardy punishments - was slipped out without any announcement by the Ministry of Justice.
It is expected to save the Government millions of pounds by reducing costs for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, which makes cash payments from public funds to victims of assaults and to the families of murder victims.
In extreme cases an assault victim suffering lasting paralysis could lose almost £40,000 if they have been given a £100 speeding fine within the past two years.
Opposition critics hit out at what they called a 'revolting' cost-cutting measure, accusing ministers of punishing the most minor offenders a second time, simply to reduce spending, and applying disproportionate penalties for relatively trivial incidents.
Changes to the rules governing the CICA scheme were introduced last November and now involve far greater financial penalties against those making compensation claims.
As many as five million motorists are at risk of reduced compensation, as the courts hand out up to a million motoring fines a year and convictions are only 'spent' after five years.
In the past CICA payments could be reduced where 'the applicant's character as shown by his criminal convictions makes it inappropriate that a full award should be made'.
But that did not include such minor offences as speeding and anyone fined less than £250, or who was fined more than two years previously, could expect to be compensated in full.
The vast majority of motoring fines fall well below the £250 cut-off point. In 2006 the average was £142.
But now CICA staff have been told to make deductions for all unspent convictions including minor motoring matters, 'unless there are exceptional circumstances'.
Payments will be slashed by between 10 and 25 per cent - the same reductions that apply to rapists and murderers.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/07/19/article-1200784-05C57537000005DC-921_468x336.jpg (http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/07/19/article-1200784-05C57537000005DC-921_468x336_popup.jpg)
The cuts even apply to compensation for murders, where the standard CICA payout is £11,000 to the bereaved family.
Shadow justice secretary Dominic Grieve said: 'The idea that a rape victim or the parents of a murdered child should have their compensation docked for a speeding conviction years earlier is a revolting proposition.'
The Ministry of Justice was unable to say how much money the Government has saved thanks to the new rules.
A spokesman insisted a full consultation had been carried out 'to ensure a fair and consistent approach'.
She added: 'There was a feeling that if you've committed a driving offence then you have cost the justice system money. That should be reflected if you receive compensation later on.'