Päiväsakkoja

Päiväsakkoja, literally translated as "day-fines," is a system of fines used in Finland for certain offenses. It is a penalty where the offender is fined a certain number of daily amounts. The value of each daily amount is determined by the offender's income and financial situation. This means that a wealthier person will pay a higher amount for each day-fine than someone with a lower income, even if both are convicted of the same offense and receive the same number of day-fines. The number of day-fines is typically decided by the court or prosecutor and is intended to reflect the severity of the offense.

The purpose of the day-fine system is to ensure that the penalty is proportionate and fair. It aims to impose a meaningful financial burden on the offender without disproportionately punishing those with limited financial means. This contrasts with fixed fines where the amount is the same regardless of income. The system takes into account factors such as monthly income, taxes, and other financial obligations when calculating the value of a single day-fine. The concept of day-fines can be found in the legal systems of several countries, with Finland being a prominent example.