Haredi protestor detained
Photo: Chaim Goldberg
Minister moves to fine, rather than prosecute public offenders
After switching deterrence measures for cannabis use from criminal prosecution to fines, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan is now looking to adopt the policy for other misdemeanors, including public disorder offenses.
Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan is leading an initiative to switch criminal prosecution against disorderly conduct with fines, using the same method he supported for the new cannabis policy.
The new initiative aims to aid security forces in their fight against protestors who disrupt public order, an issue which has dominated Israeli headlines in recent months with the number of public protests and disturbances staged by extreme ultra-Orthodox soaring.
Photo: AFP
The initiative is expected to reduce the court system's work load, which is usually compelled to manage complex legal proceedings against public order offenders, with the police investing significant resources in compiling sufficient evidence for an indictment.
Authorities believe that a fine issued through a quick managerial process could prove a more efficient deterrence than prosecution, which often requires prolonged periods of time and does not always result in an indictment.
In addition, the initiative is being promoted as a way to treat disorderly conduct more appropriately, since numerous cases involve first-time offenders, making criminal indictment an excessively severe measure against them.
Erdan is also said to be examining other offenses where a criminal procedure could be converted into a managerial one. He announced the initiative on Wednesday at a ceremony taking place in the Police National Headquarters, praising the important work done by the officers of the force.
(Translated & edited by Lior Mor)
