The Slovak Ministry of the Interior wants to increase the fines for misdemeanors. He argues that they have not increased for a long time. In addition, it would also introduce a new sanction for smaller municipal services. This follows from the draft amendment to the Act on Misdemeanors, which the department submitted to the interdepartmental comment procedure. The proposal for legislative changes also provides for impunity for persons who committed the offense under duress.
“Since the promulgated wording of the Act on Offenses, there has been no change in the amount of fines for many offences, and therefore they do not take into account the constant decrease in the value of money. The current amount of fines does not meet the educational, punitive and even preventive nature of the sanction. Such low amounts of fines do not sufficiently deter the commission of offenses and are not sufficient punishment for committing an offense that would result in the correction of the offender, and do not reflect the degree of condemnation of the offender by society,” the ministry claims.
The Ministry of the Interior wants to introduce a sanction for smaller municipal services, especially for cases in which it is not possible to enforce the imposed fine. According to him, the purpose of the criminal procedure itself is thus lost. “At the same time, there are cases in which a monetary fine is not a sufficient deterrent, especially if the offender is financially able to pay the fine,” added the submitter. Working for the benefit of the society in which the offender lives can also increase his social responsibility.
The administrative authority could impose them in the range from 20 to 150 hours. For juveniles, he could work with a range from ten to 75 hours. The perpetrator of the offense would have to perform them within one year from the validity of the decision. If it fails to do so, the administrative authority could “convert” the sanction or its remainder into a fine.
“The sanction of minor municipal services appears to be an effective and desirable tool even in the case of juvenile offenders. Based on knowledge from application practice, it follows that in the case of an imposed fine, it is often paid for by the minor’s legal representative. In such a case, the educational, preventive or punitive function of the imposed sanction against juvenile offenders is not fulfilled,” argues the department in the proposal.
As a rule, the perpetrator of the offense could perform minor municipal services for the municipality or an organization established by it and in the territorial district in which he has permanent residence, without the right to a reward and in his free time.. The administrative body would decide on the imposition of this sanction. He could not impose it on a person who is unable to work for a long time or a person with a disability. At the same time, the Ministry of the Interior proposes that the legislation be effective from May 1, 2026.
