A French multimillionaire, whose identity has not been revealed, was punished with a gigantic fine in Switzerland for speeding. The court in Lausanne sentenced him to 90 1000 Swiss francs, which in terms of PLN 400 thousand. This amount, stunning for the majority, was determined on the basis of his vast assets, in accordance with the unique regulations in force in Switzerland. However, as is frequently the case in cases of specified a large scale, the verdict contains a “hedge” that may make the businessman not gotta pay the full sum. This situation sheds fresh light on the justice strategy in the country where the amount of the punishment depends on the financial position of the perpetrator, which is to guarantee equal severity of sanctions for everyone, regardless of the thickness of the wallet.
Swiss system: Fine property-dependent
W Switzerland's fines for traffic offences, as well as another offences, are not constant, as is the case in many another countries, including Poland. Under its law, the financial punishment is straight dependent on the property situation of the perpetrator. This is simply a doctrine that assumes that punishment is to be proportionately severe for all citizen, regardless of his income. For a low-paid person, the fixed amount can be devastating, whereas for a millionaire it would only be a symbolic gesture. This system, based on the alleged ‘day rates’, aims to make a mandate of 1000 francs equivalent to that of a individual earning 3000 francs per period as 100,000 francs for individual with millions of incomes.
Millionaire on target: Details of evidence mandate
A French businessman whose names have not been revealed, but who is among the 300 richest people in Switzerland with a luck estimated at respective 100 million francs, has become a surviving example of the operation of this system. He was caught speeding by 27 km/h in a region limited to 50 km/h, driving 77 km/h in Lausanne. The Vaud territory Court, given his awesome assets, fined him in the amount of 40 regular units of 2 1000 francs each. This gave a full sum 80 000 Swiss francswhich is equivalent to more than PLN 360 thousand. This astronomical amount reflects the rigorous approach of the Swiss judiciary to equality in bearing the legal consequences.
Hook in judgment: Suspension of punishment and immediate fee
The key component of the judgment, which raises the most questions and interests, is the fact that a fine of 80 1000 francs has remained suspended for 3 years. This means that the French multimillionaire will only gotta pay this gigantic amount if it is caught again in the next 3 years on a akin traffic offence. This is simply a kind of conditional punishment, aimed at a strong discouragement of refraction. In addition to the suspended fine, a businessman who has reportedly lived in Switzerland for about 20 years had to pay immediate fine of 10 1000 francs (about 45 1000 zlotys). This smaller but inactive crucial amount is paid immediately and is simply a real consequence of wrongdoing, regardless of future behaviour.
Residency and legal basis: What does Swiss law say?
Interestingly, this is not the first time that a French multimillionaire has been punished for speeding in Switzerland. The 24 Heures portal reports that 8 years ago it besides exceeded velocity and was fined in the amount of 60,000 francs (also suspended) and a fine of 10,000 francs. This pattern of behaviour emphasizes how the Swiss strategy consistently applies its principles, even to the richest. The legal basis for determining the amount of the fine is Article 34 of the Swiss Criminal Code. That provision provides that the regular rate on which the final fine is calculated may be from 30 to 3 1000 francs. Its amount depends on a detailed analysis of the financial and individual situation of the perpetrator, including his income, assets, lifestyle and maintenance obligations. The justice shall examine these factors each time in order to establish a fair and adequate penalty.
What does that mean for drivers? applicable conclusions of the “Justice” system
The case of the French millionaire is an excellent example of how the Swiss legal strategy seeks to guarantee that financial penalties have a real impact on all citizen, regardless of their wealth. For an average driver in Switzerland, this means that even a insignificant misconduct, if committed by a individual with advanced incomes, can consequence in a much higher fine than for individual with lower material status. This strategy aims primarily at deterrence and stressing that the law is equal to all, and its violation will always have perceptible consequences. This unique approach to financial justice makes Switzerland stand out against another countries, offering a model where wealth is not a shield against severe legal sanctions for wrongdoing.
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The millionaire got a ticket of PLN 400,000. Is there a catch that will avoid payment?
