Totality 11

Draft guideline for consultation only. Draft guidelines should not be taken into account when sentencing.

Fines in combination with other sentences

Circumstance Approach
A fine may be imposed in addition to any other penalty for the same offence except:  
  • a hospital order
  • a discharge
  • a referral order
  • a sentence fixed by law (murder)
  • a minimum sentence imposed under section 311, 312, 313, 314 or 315 of the Sentencing Code
  • a life sentence imposed under section 274 or 285 of the Sentencing Code or a sentence of detention for life for an offender under 18 under section 258 of the Sentencing Code
  • a life sentence imposed under section 273 or 283 of the Sentencing Code
  • a serious terrorism sentence under section 268B or 282B of the Sentencing Code

(Sections 118 to 121 of the Sentencing Code)

Fines and determinate custodial sentences A fine should not generally be imposed in combination with a custodial sentence because of the effect of imprisonment on the means of the offender. However, exceptionally, it may be appropriate to impose a fine in addition to a custodial sentence where:

  • the sentence is suspended
  • a confiscation order is not contemplated and
  • there is no obvious victim to whom compensation can be awarded and
  • the offender has, or will have, resources from which a fine can be paid