Australian Politics Forum - Can A Homeless Pensioner Afford A $3250 Fine

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Can A Homeless Pensioner Afford A $3250 Fine
Feb 16^th, 2011 at 7:56pm

Homeless man fined $3250 over plane bomb 'joke'

A homeless Melbourne man has been fined more than $3000 for suggesting to a plane crew he had bombs and weapons in his hand luggage.

Jason Brown was on his way from Melbourne to be reunited with his family in Western Australia when he was taken off a Virgin Blue flight on Monday night after boarding in Adelaide for the final leg of his journey.

Prosecutor Anna Brebner told the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday that when the 39-year-old boarded the plane the cabin crew noticed some unusual behaviour.

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She said that when Brown was asked to put his shoulder bag under the seat rather than on the seat next to him he responded by saying, "leave it there, maybe it's got weapons and bombs in it".

Ms Brebner said Brown was then told he would be removed from the plane in line with airline policies with his comments regarded as a threat to the aircraft.

The prosecutor said there were 125 passengers on board at the time and the offending was serious given the community's sensitivity to threats of terrorist activity.

Duty solicitor Stephen Law said Brown, who suffers from schizophrenia, had lived in Melbourne for seven years but had been homeless for the past 12 months after losing his job.

Brown had saved up money from a disability pension to afford the flight to Perth to be reunited with his parents.

Mr Law said his client's comments were made as a joke but he now appreciated that it was the type of joke that should never be told.

Magistrate Joseph Baldino told Brown his assertions might have been empty threats as there were no bombs or weapons in the bag.

But he said the authorities were well within their rights to take the comments seriously.

Mr Baldino said the offending would have created alarm and fear in the minds of the passengers who also had their travel delayed.

"This is not a trivial offence by any stretch of the imagination," he said.

The magistrate imposed a $3250 fine and also ordered Brown to pay court and prosecution costs.

http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/homeless-man-fined-3250-over-plane-bomb...

Is financial punishment skewed in favour of the rich.

For example

D.S.P $330 wk
Average Weekly Wage $1400 wk
Ultra rich Weekly income ... ?

A $3000 plus fine inflicts more pain onto a low income earner. How is this fair, or is court only for punishing low income earners.

Surely fines should be scaling to take income into the equal to level the playing field.

Agree?

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mavisdavis Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 1512	Re: Can A Homeless Pensioner Afford A $3250 Fine Reply #1 - Feb 16^th, 2011 at 7:59pm If you can`t pay the fine, don`t do the crime.
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____

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Re: Can A Homeless Pensioner Afford A $3250 Fine
Reply #2 - Feb 16^th, 2011 at 8:03pm

mavisdavis wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 7:59pm:

If you can`t pay the fine, don`t do the crime.

Sure, no argument there. Yet the system is set up to favour the rich over the poor.

How long would it take to pay off a $3000 plus fine when someone is homeless and on about $330 a week.

Compared to someone who could pay the same fine, for the same charge, out of loose change. Where is the punishment for the financially well off person.

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salad in Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 5941	Re: Can A Homeless Pensioner Afford A $3250 Fine Reply #3 - Feb 16^th, 2011 at 8:22pm ____ wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 7:56pm: Homeless man fined $3250 over plane bomb 'joke' Jason Brown was on his way from Melbourne to be reunited with his family in Western Australia He can afford to fly (maybe first class) yet he can't afford a fine. Cue the violins.
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____

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Re: Can A Homeless Pensioner Afford A $3250 Fine
Reply #4 - Feb 16^th, 2011 at 8:37pm

salad in wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 8:22pm:

____ wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 7:56pm:

Homeless man fined $3250 over plane bomb 'joke'

Jason Brown was on his way from Melbourne to be reunited with his family in Western Australia

He can afford to fly (maybe first class) yet he can't afford a fine. Cue the violins.

I am not saying he can or can't afford the fine, I am using him as an example.

The fine is same, if it is a homeless pensioner or the richest person around. How is this level justice. It is skewed to punish low income earners harder and that isn't fair.

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cods

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Re: Can A Homeless Pensioner Afford A $3250 Fine
Reply #5 - Feb 16^th, 2011 at 8:44pm

I think the judge was using him as an example and not a very good one at that... everyone knows not to do bomb jokes anywhere near an airport letalone on a plane..however this person is an invalid and should be treated as such I think...

I remember a few years back John Singleton I am sure you all know him multi millionaire owns a radio station and race horses amongst other things..

was booked doing about 200 k in his Bentley when he went to court he pleaded not guilty as he forgot to put his auto speed on.. and the judge agreed with him saying those Bentley are so smooth to drive its very easy to go over the limit.. so he let him off no fine or anything...

I wish them luck in getting the fine paid.. its ridiculous and petty but that is our justice system these days.

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buzzanddidj

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Re: Can A Homeless Pensioner Afford A $3250 Fine
Reply #6 - Feb 16^th, 2011 at 8:51pm

____ wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 8:37pm:

salad in wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 8:22pm:

____ wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 7:56pm:

Homeless man fined $3250 over plane bomb 'joke'

Jason Brown was on his way from Melbourne to be reunited with his family in Western Australia

He can afford to fly (maybe first class) yet he can't afford a fine. Cue the violins.

I am not saying he can or can't afford the fine, I am using him as an example.

The fine is same, if it is a homeless pensioner or the richest person around. How is this level justice. It is skewed to punish low income earners harder and that isn't fair.

On being found "guilty", I've always believed a magistrate should issue

a fine of X percentage of the annual income of the defendant

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jame-e

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Re: Can A Homeless Pensioner Afford A $3250 Fine
Reply #7 - Feb 16^th, 2011 at 9:10pm

buzzanddidj wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 8:51pm:

____ wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 8:37pm:

salad in wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 8:22pm:

____ wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 7:56pm:

Homeless man fined $3250 over plane bomb 'joke'

Jason Brown was on his way from Melbourne to be reunited with his family in Western Australia

He can afford to fly (maybe first class) yet he can't afford a fine. Cue the violins.

I am not saying he can or can't afford the fine, I am using him as an example.

The fine is same, if it is a homeless pensioner or the richest person around. How is this level justice. It is skewed to punish low income earners harder and that isn't fair.

On being found "guilty", I've always believed a magistrate should issue

a fine of X percentage of the annual income of the defendant

Money means nothing. Hard labour.

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longweekend58

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Re: Can A Homeless Pensioner Afford A $3250 Fine
Reply #8 - Feb 16^th, 2011 at 9:17pm

buzzanddidj wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 8:51pm:

____ wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 8:37pm:

salad in wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 8:22pm:

____ wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 7:56pm:

Homeless man fined $3250 over plane bomb 'joke'

Jason Brown was on his way from Melbourne to be reunited with his family in Western Australia

He can afford to fly (maybe first class) yet he can't afford a fine. Cue the violins.

I am not saying he can or can't afford the fine, I am using him as an example.

The fine is same, if it is a homeless pensioner or the richest person around. How is this level justice. It is skewed to punish low income earners harder and that isn't fair.

On being found "guilty", I've always believed a magistrate should issue

a fine of X percentage of the annual income of the defendant

and if he has NO income???

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cods

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Re: Can A Homeless Pensioner Afford A $3250 Fine
Reply #9 - Feb 16^th, 2011 at 9:42pm

longweekend58 wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 9:17pm:

buzzanddidj wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 8:51pm:

____ wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 8:37pm:

salad in wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 8:22pm:

____ wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 7:56pm:

Homeless man fined $3250 over plane bomb 'joke'

Jason Brown was on his way from Melbourne to be reunited with his family in Western Australia

He can afford to fly (maybe first class) yet he can't afford a fine. Cue the violins.

I am not saying he can or can't afford the fine, I am using him as an example.

The fine is same, if it is a homeless pensioner or the richest person around. How is this level justice. It is skewed to punish low income earners harder and that isn't fair.

On being found "guilty", I've always believed a magistrate should issue

a fine of X percentage of the annual income of the defendant

and if he has NO income???

throw away the key by the sound of some people.

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Prevailing Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 7169 Stop Men	Re: Can A Homeless Pensioner Afford A $3250 Fine Reply #10 - Feb 16^th, 2011 at 11:17pm I am as a disabled person taking the Government to the High court of Australia to refuse and fight the carbon tax - please support my fight when you hear about this and remember me in your prayers. We're not gonna take it!
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salad in

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Re: Can A Homeless Pensioner Afford A $3250 Fine
Reply #11 - Feb 17^th, 2011 at 7:35am

____ wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 8:37pm:

I am not saying he can or can't afford the fine, I am using him as an example.

The fine is same, if it is a homeless pensioner or the richest person around. How is this level justice. It is skewed to punish low income earners harder and that isn't fair.

Ignorance of the law is no excuse.

When I set out in my motor vehicle I am aware that exceeding the speed limit might see me fined $XXX. If I fail to obey a traffic light I may be fined $XXX. If I make stupid remarks on a flight which may cause alarm I may be removed from that flight and fined for making threats. An inspection of the contents of my wallet and bank account would not normally be done prior to my sentencing.

Ignorance of the law is no excuse.

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whatsforme Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 573	Re: Can A Homeless Pensioner Afford A $3250 Fine Reply #12 - Feb 17^th, 2011 at 7:40am <<On being found "guilty", I've always believed a magistrate should issue a fine of X percentage of the annual income of the defendant and if he has NO income??? >> You mean like buzz?
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chicken_lipsforme

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Re: Can A Homeless Pensioner Afford A $3250 Fine
Reply #13 - Feb 17^th, 2011 at 11:31am

____ wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 7:56pm:

Homeless man fined $3250 over plane bomb 'joke'

A homeless Melbourne man has been fined more than $3000 for suggesting to a plane crew he had bombs and weapons in his hand luggage.

Jason Brown was on his way from Melbourne to be reunited with his family in Western Australia when he was taken off a Virgin Blue flight on Monday night after boarding in Adelaide for the final leg of his journey.

Prosecutor Anna Brebner told the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday that when the 39-year-old boarded the plane the cabin crew noticed some unusual behaviour.

Advertisement: Story continues below
She said that when Brown was asked to put his shoulder bag under the seat rather than on the seat next to him he responded by saying, "leave it there, maybe it's got weapons and bombs in it".

Ms Brebner said Brown was then told he would be removed from the plane in line with airline policies with his comments regarded as a threat to the aircraft.

The prosecutor said there were 125 passengers on board at the time and the offending was serious given the community's sensitivity to threats of terrorist activity.

Duty solicitor Stephen Law said Brown, who suffers from schizophrenia, had lived in Melbourne for seven years but had been homeless for the past 12 months after losing his job.

Brown had saved up money from a disability pension to afford the flight to Perth to be reunited with his parents.

Mr Law said his client's comments were made as a joke but he now appreciated that it was the type of joke that should never be told.

Magistrate Joseph Baldino told Brown his assertions might have been empty threats as there were no bombs or weapons in the bag.

But he said the authorities were well within their rights to take the comments seriously.

Mr Baldino said the offending would have created alarm and fear in the minds of the passengers who also had their travel delayed.

"This is not a trivial offence by any stretch of the imagination," he said.

The magistrate imposed a $3250 fine and also ordered Brown to pay court and prosecution costs.

http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/homeless-man-fined-3250-over-plane-bomb...

Is financial punishment skewed in favour of the rich.

For example

D.S.P $330 wk
Average Weekly Wage $1400 wk
Ultra rich Weekly income ... ?

A $3000 plus fine inflicts more pain onto a low income earner. How is this fair, or is court only for punishing low income earners.

Surely fines should be scaling to take income into the equal to level the playing field.

Agree?

Stupid is as stupid does.
And who cares about 'levelling the playing field', this isn't a game.
Perhaps the nutter should have engaged brain before engaging mouth.
If he was ever under any illusion that authorities appreciate these sort of 'jokes', he knows different now.

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bogarde73 Gold Member Offline Anti-Global & Contra Mundum Posts: 18443 Gender:	Re: Can A Homeless Pensioner Afford A $3250 Fine Reply #14 - Feb 17^th, 2011 at 11:49am Q Can A Homeless Pensioner Afford A $3250 Fine A No but an illegal immigrant can afford to travel Xmas Is - Sydney for free
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