Reply #9: There has to be a minimum fine, otherwise the unemployed pay nothing [View All]

[Dangerously Amused]

...and the argument will be made that there is "no incentive" for them (other than a moral one) to obey laws that require only a forfeiture based on income. But I see your point, that there is also no real incentive for the rich to obey laws that require only a forfeiture - and the counterpoint treestar made above, that the poor are punished more for the same crime.

What I would like to see is more creativity in sentencing, i.e., finding a way to allow violators to see how their unlawful behavior negatively impacts others on a personal and meaningful level. But then you will always have the defense attorneys whining because it will make their clients "feel bad."

No easy answers.