Fundamental rights apply to punishment too.
A state governed by law can respond to crime. The person concerned still has rights. Human dignity does not end with suspicion or conviction. “This person did something wrong” therefore cannot justify any treatment the state chooses.
A criminal fine is a sanction regulated by the Criminal Code. Section 40 calculates it in daily units. The value of each unit reflects personal and financial circumstances in particular. This distinguishes a legally assessed penalty from an arbitrary demand for money.
The other three answers
The three wrong answers violate fundamental limits on state power.
corporal punishment
Corporal punishment means inflicting blows as punishment. It is incompatible with protection of human dignity and physical integrity.
torture
Torture is not a permissible method of punishment or investigation. Article 104 expressly prohibits mental and physical abuse of people in custody.
the death penalty
Article 102 expressly abolishes the death penalty. It does not contain an exception allowing it again for an especially serious crime.
A lawful type of penalty still needs lawful application.
A criminal fine requires a legal basis and lawful procedure. The state cannot simply demand any amount and call it punishment. The prescribed legal remedies apply to erroneous decisions.
Everyday language often mixes up a criminal fine, Geldstrafe, and an administrative fine, Bußgeld. They are legally different. The correct option here specifically names a criminal fine.
Article 102 · Basic Law ↗A fine is possible. Human dignity remains.
Focus on the type of punishment. The constitution does not allow every method simply because the state is responding to crime.
Three words for this question
- vereinbarcompatible
- Consistent with a rule or principle.
- die Geldstrafecriminal fine
- A criminal sanction requiring payment of an assessed amount.
- der Tagessatzdaily unit
- A unit of a criminal fine whose amount reflects financial circumstances.