罰金刑體系之改革芻議

Discussions on Reform of Fine Punishment in Taiwan

歷經2001年起的頻繁修法，臺灣的罰金刑在更大範圍裡成為輕微犯罪的財產制裁，同時承擔剝奪不法獲利的任務，罰金形態更是趨於多樣，顯示立法者對罰金刑缺乏整體的規劃，有必要進行全面改革。本文認為，臺灣罰金刑的改革應該包含三個面向：一、簡化罰金的任務與種類，罰金不應繼續承擔剝奪不法獲利的任務，而是應該全面成為制裁輕微犯罪的主刑選項，並且健全選科罰金之立法模式。二、為了提升量刑之公平透明，並且建立自由刑和罰金之比較基準，應該引進日額罰金制；為了克服對於被告經濟狀況的調查困難，應該強化檢警的調查義務與增訂法官估算權限。三、在罰金之執行程序上，應廢除易服勞役和對遺產執行等規定，對缺乏繳納能力之受刑人增加寬限繳納和更定日額金之機制，對缺乏繳納意願之受刑人適用拘提、管收等強制手段，並保留更定其刑的可能性，防止在貧富之間形成不平等。

Since the year of 2001, the fine system in Taiwan has undergone several amendments. Fine is considered as the pecuniary penalty for misdemeanors and as the method to deprive the illegal benefits. The diversification of types and missions of fine indicates that the legislators lack a comprehensive plan for fine punishment. This article suggests that the reform of fine punishment in Taiwan should include the following three aspects. First, simplify the categories and missions of fine. In this regard, selective fining model should be adopted. Fine should become solely for the principal punishment of misdemeanors and no longer assume the task of depriving the proceeds of crime. Second, in order to increase the fairness and transparency of sentencing process and establish the benchmark between imprisonment and fines, day-fine system is recommended. Considering the difficulty in clarifying the economic status of the defendant, the prosecutor's and police's duty to investigate and the court's ability to estimate should be intensified. Third, to minimize the unequal impact on the rich and the poor, we should abolish the commutation of fine into labors, as well as the compulsory enforcement to estate. Legal mechanism such as time extension and revision of day-fine should be introduced for the convicted who lacks capacity to pay. Compulsory measures such as arrest and custody should also be considered for the convicted who is able and yet not willing to pay their fine.