ok then; what if the penalty were $20,000.00? Would the principle “take responsibility for your own mistakes” still aply, or is that principle dependent on the dollar amount owed? If it’s dependent on your subjective perception of the fine, it doesn’t seem like much of a principle at all. I suspect that in general people’s advice to “take responsibility” is dependent upon their view of the reasonableness of the penalty.

People go to prison every day of the week for being a few days late on state registration requirements in california.