Do we really have to pay foreign fines?

Today 5/11/2013 there was an article in the Standard that, if we committed a speeding violation abroad, we had to pay for it.

(http://www. Standaard.be/cnt/dmf20131105_00824474?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_term=dso&utm_content=article&utm_campaign=seeding)

I was wondering if this is legal? I mean, I never swore some kind of oath at birth that I would respect the laws of Romania, did I? It is not up to Belgium to enforce the laws of another country, is it?

Asker: Anthony, 20 years old

Answer

Best,

We must follow foreign law as soon as we enter the territory of that other country. This is called the territoriality principle: everyone who is on the territory of a country must comply with the law of the country. This rule also applies in Belgium.

Regards

Answered by

Prof. dr. dr. Gudrun Vande Walle

Criminology Public Administration Security Organizational Crime: Corruption / Environmental Crime / Victims of Business Activities

Do we really have to pay foreign fines?

university of Ghent

http://www.ugent.be

.

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