With a Legal Notice to be published today, the minimum penalty for on-the-spot fines will double, from €25 to €50, or the minimum penalty already provided by law for that offence, whichever is higher.
This means that in cases where the law already provides for a higher minimum penalty, that penalty will continue to apply, to ensure that no lesser penalty is imposed than what the law deems appropriate for the crime.
This will strengthen law enforcement, improve compliance with the rules and make penalties more of a deterrent for those who might be thinking of breaking the law.
This Legal Notice is linked to the one issued at the beginning of last month, through which on-the-spot fines can now be issued to persons who are not residents of Malta. These fines cover minor offences and contraventions.
This will now allow payment of the fine immediately at the time of the contravention, thereby strengthening law enforcement. At the same time, if a person does not pay the fine, their passport or travel document will be confiscated.
The Minister for Justice, Research and Innovation, Clifton Grima, reiterated that this Legal Notice is another step towards a more effective and fair justice system. He also reiterated that, “We are continuing to build a modern legal framework that strengthens accountability and increases trust in the justice system.”
