OFFENDERS should be hit with an inflation-linked hike in fines, according to the Conservatives.
The party said sheriff court disposals had been unchanged since 1992, meaning the real value of punishments since then has declined dramatically.
It said a £200 fine in 1992, with inflation considered, should now be set at £363, but that has not happened. Following inflation, a £5000 fine in today's terms would be £8762.
Scottish Conservative MSP John Lamont has written to Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill asking him to consider a review, after it emerged through a Parliamentary Question that the SNP has no plans to look at the scales.
Last year, more than 20,000 summary fines were handed out in Scotland's courts.
The Conservative call for an increase does not extend to fiscal fines for offences such as speeding offences, given that legislation was only set in 2008.
Mr Lamont said: "Inflation over this time means a criminal fined in 1992 was much harder hit in the pocket than they are now. That's not right. Crimes cause as much misery now as then, and that's why these scales must be reviewed."
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "These fines represent the least serious offences which can only be prosecuted in the summary courts. Maximum fine levels for more serious crimes doubled in 2007 from £5000 to £10,000."
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