Too Bad I Take Things Seriously-Chapter 627 - 239: Crime of Selling Stolen Goods, Watermelon Seller Arrested!_4

Criminal detention... It was a last resort, one he would not employ. But administrative fines were a necessity. The anonymous report that accused them of nonfeasance in law enforcement primarily targeted the lack of corresponding fines. Actually, if the cost of committing a crime was significantly higher than the gains, then the occurrence of many illegal and criminal activities could be greatly reduced.

"So how should the fines be imposed?"

Upon hearing this, the three police officers exchanged glances. They really didn’t know how to impose the fines.

Administrative fines are typically based on the economic development level of each city and are divided into regular and larger amounts. In Zizhou, the threshold is 1,000 yuan; anything above is considered a larger administrative fine, while anything below is a regular administrative fine.

But with over a hundred elderly people outside... they truly did not know how to differentiate the fines.

Zhou Yuantu snorted coldly and said irritably, "Go and find the victims, compare the video evidence, and identify the elderly individuals whose actions were most egregious. They should be fined above 1,000 yuan. For those with general misconduct, impose fines below 1,000 yuan." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"As for determining the fines... you don’t need me to teach you that, do you?"

The Administrative Penalty Law has specific provisions. Fines that are multiples of a certain amount should be divided into three or more increments between the maximum and minimum multiples. General penalties are set at the intermediate increment, mitigated penalties below it, and aggravated penalties not below it. Similarly, fines within a certain range should be divided into three or more increments between the maximum and minimum amounts. If the ratio between the maximum and minimum is more than fourfold, the penalties should be divided according to multiples of the amount. General penalties are at the intermediate increment, mitigated penalties below it, and aggravated penalties not below it.

For this case, the multiple fine method was more suitable than the range fine method. Because the elderly had already stolen the melons, and it was hard to ascertain exactly how many, determining fines with precise ranges wasn’t feasible. Thus, using 1,000 yuan as a base, fines could be set at 500 yuan and 1,500 yuan. Those with particularly serious circumstances would be fined 1,500 yuan. Those with serious circumstances would be fined 1,000 yuan. And those with general circumstances would be fined 500 yuan. This fining method was more reasonable.

Upon hearing this, the three police officers hurriedly expressed their understanding and quickly departed. They found Hu Wenning and her companion, who had just finished giving their statements in the interview room, and explained the situation.

As soon as the officer finished speaking, Qing Lan’s eyes widened, and she couldn’t help exclaiming, "What? They’ve come here?"

They had just finished recording their statements and were planning to leave when they suddenly heard a commotion outside the police station. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be those elderly people! Surrounding the entrance of the police station—their audacity was extreme!

"AHEM. We will resolutely crack down on their illegal and criminal acts." One officer stepped forward and said gravely, "We’re preparing to impose administrative fines on all the elderly people involved in the melon-stealing incident. So, we were hoping to ask Miss Hu to identify them and provide evidence to help determine the fine amounts."

Listening to the growing clamor outside, Hu Wenning swallowed nervously and looked at Qing Lan, almost pleading for help. After so many encounters, she had developed a mental scar from these shameless elderly people. This time, with the help of that ’expert,’ they had managed to get the melon vendors arrested, achieving some progress. But these elderly people... they were the real culprits.

Nearby, Qing Lan seemed much calmer. She smiled slightly, took a document from her bag, and handed it to the officer. "This is what I prepared in advance. Based on the surveillance video footage, I’ve coded these elderly individuals from 1 to 65. After each number, I’ve listed the quantity of melons they stole and a suggested administrative fine."