CC HOLDS AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL THE EXCESSIVE PUNISHMENT OF CITIZENS FOR VIOLATION OF SANITARY NORMS

The Constitutional Court (CC) rules unconstitutional excessive punishments of citizens for violation of sanitary norms. The decision has been recently made by the CC at the request of a number of MPs.

The MPs challenged the amendments to the Administrative Code in the CC. Individuals can be fined 450-500 conventional units, which is 22.5-25 thousand lei (US$1300-1450). Fines for legal entities will vary from 1000 to 1500 conventional units – 50-75 thousand lei (US$2950-5900).

CC Chairperson Domnica Manole pointed out that one of the main principles of justice is the application of a punishment individually, depending on the gravity of the offense.

“The CC stated that in the case of legal entities, judges have a possibility to vary the application of punishment depending on the gravity of the offense. In case of individuals, the minimum fine is excessively high; this makes it impossible for the court to determine proportionate punishment. The court rules unconstitutional minimum limit in the amount of 400 conventional units”, Manole said.

The CC ruled that an individual can be fined from the minimum limit of 1 conventional unit (50 lei) to a maximum limit of 500 conventional units.