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529/93 AI generated

Portuguese Constitutional Court strikes down fine cap exceeding general regime for individuals under administrative law.

Case Number 529/93
Court / Authority
Jurisdiction Portugal (PT)
Outcome Dismissed
Open official source Machine-readable Markdown (.md)

Legislator summary

AI generated

The Constitutional Court declared unconstitutional the specific fine cap for individuals in the cited administrative decree when it exceeded the general regime limit. The Ministry of Public Prosecution challenged the constitutionality of this provision, arguing it violated the principle of equality before the law. The Court ruled that imposing a higher maximum fine on individuals than the general standard created an unjustified distinction without legal basis.

Legislator headnote

AI generated

Art. 168(1)(d) of the Constitution; Art. 9(1)(b) of D.L. 172/88: The Constitution prohibits legislative provisions that establish a maximum fine for individuals higher than the general regime, as such distinctions violate the principle of equality before the law.

Keywords

AI generated
Constitutional Equality Administrative Fines Individual Liability Principle of Equality Legislative Proportionality Constitutional Review Maximum Penalty Limits

Cited Legislation

AI generated
Art. 168(1)(d) of the Constitution
Art. 9(1)(b) of D.L. 172/88
Art. 17 of D.L. 433/82
AI generated
731/92
Portuguese Constitutional Court declares fine limit for individuals unconstitutional due to violation of proportionality principle.
TC_19950620
Portuguese Constitutional Court declares fine limits unconstitutional for violating property rights and due process guarantees.
417/97
Portuguese Constitutional Court dismisses appeal confirming prior ruling declaring fine limits unconstitutional.
TC_19990081
Constitutional court denies appeal confirming fine limits must apply the law valid at the time of the offense.
TC_19930115
Portuguese Constitutional Court dismisses appeal confirming prior amnestia decision due to general binding force of previous unconstitutionality ruling.

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Full text

Acórdão 276/94

ACÓRDÃO Nº 276/94

Processo nº 529/93

2ª Secção

Relator: Cons. Luís Nunes de Almeida

Acordam na 2ª Secção do Tribunal Constitucional:

Nos presentes autos, vindos do Tribunal Judicial da Comarca de Ponte de Sôr, em que é recorrente o Ministério Público e recorrida A., pelos fundamentos constantes dos Acórdãos nº 355/92, nº 385/93 e nº 424/93, juntos aos autos e cujo teor se dá aqui por reproduzido, os quais julgaram inconstitucionais as alíneas a) e d) do nº 1 do artigo 9º do Decreto-Lei nº 172/88, de 16 de Maio, sendo porém igualmente aplicáveis tais fundamentos à alínea b) do mesmo preceito legal, ora aqui em causa, decide-se:

a) Julgar inconstitucional, por violação do artigo 168º, nº 1, alínea d), da Constituição, a norma constante do artigo 9º, nº 1, alínea b), do Decreto-Lei nº 172/88, de 16 de Maio, na parte em que fixa o limite máximo da coima aplicável às pessoas singulares em montante superior ao do regime geral estabelecido no artigo 17º do Decreto-Lei nº 433/82, de 27 de Outubro;

b) E, consequentemente, negar provimento ao recurso.

Lisboa, 23 de Março de 1994

Luís Nunes de Almeida

Messias Bento

Bravo Serra

Guilherme da Fonseca

Fernando Alves Correia

José de Sousa e Brito

José Manuel Cardoso da Costa