“Merchan wrote that in such instances, it would be preferable if he could impose ‘a fine more commensurate with the wealth’ of the person being fined.”
Yeah I’ve always been surprised that court fines aren’t on a sliding scale. Us normals shouldn’t be expected to have access to large amounts of money to pay fees or fines, but as the right consequence should have to pay enough to feel it without totally ruining our lives. The wealthy should have to pay enough relative to their net worth so they feel it at the same level.
$1000 a day is a massive life-ruining expense for most people, so for Trump it should be more like $100,000 or even $1 million a day if it’s actually supposed to disincentivize violating a court order.
But that sounds too fair for America, so I doubt we’ll ever see it.
In some countries they assess speeding fines based on the driver’s income. Going over the speed limit can get you a six figure fine if you make enough. That’s why if you’re driving in the Scandinavian countries, it’s best to have the low income people drive.
Tl;Dr, he’s getting a fine for each instance and a warning to not do it again. Spoiler alert
$9,000 for 9 instances. If he does it again, he could face jail time. That’s really the key point. Fines, especially tiny ones, don’t mean shit. Throwing him in prison for a few weeks would be a comforting result, though.
The fines are limited by statute, so $1k per instance is the max the judge can order
Max fine. He can also be jailed for contempt of court, but it could be argued that jail was an excessive punishment for a first offense. So the judge has to treat him like any other defendant. It would be unprecedented to send him to jail for a first contempt conviction.
What does the statute say about community service? Make him pick up trash.
That would be amazing. I would would settle for that.
Can trump pick himself up?
