Howard Winter wrote:

>> Isn't there some general rule that the penalty must correlate somehow to
>> the damage done that may override individual laws? At least in certain
>> countries?
> 
> There certainly is in Europe, 

Not sure you can say "Europe" WRT law yet, at least not generally :)

> but it doesn't stop my local council having the same fine for overstaying
> a car parking place by 1 minute as for not paying for it in the first
> place.  

I think, WRT my comment above, that there is a difference between a fine
and a penalty, and that the rule mostly only applies to penalties. But
IANAL :)

Gerhard

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