Three in 10 people are appealing against their coronavirus fine

Photo: DutchNews.nl
Photo: DutchNews.nl

Police and council wardens issued some 36,000 fines last year for breaking the coronavirus rules, but more than 30% of the people fined are appealing.

Normally, only around one in 10 people against a police fine, according to public prosecution department figures.

Many of the appeals are likely to be down to a change in the rules last summer, when the original fine of €390 for breaking social distancing rules was cut to €95, following major criticism from MPs. The lower fine does not result in an automatic criminal record.

Lawyer Janbart Kalk, who is representing a number of people protesting about their fines, told the Parool he understands why so many people are appealing.

‘The logic behind the rules is very unclear to many people,’ he said. ‘You can go alone and visit your parents but your parents can’t come together to visit you. People get the feeling the rules are verging on being arbitrary, and then they don’t agree if they get fined.’

Appeals have led to some fines being torn up, the Parool said, often because the police did not first issue a formal warning.

Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation