A fine is a monetary penalty imposed as punishment for violating a law, regulation, or bylaw. Fines serve multiple purposes: punishing wrongdoers, deterring future violations, and generating revenue for enforcement costs. In municipal contexts, fines result from bylaw violations like parking infractions, noise complaints, property standards violations, or zoning breaches. Fine amounts are typically set by bylaw or provincial statute, with higher fines for more serious offences or repeat violations. The court system handles contested fines, allowing individuals to dispute charges. Some jurisdictions use administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) as an alternative to court-based fines for minor violations. Unpaid fines may result in collection action, interest charges, or inability to renew vehicle registrations. Fine revenue helps offset enforcement costs but rarely covers the full expense of compliance programs.