Fine line widens between penalty amounts and inflation

The majority of common fines imposed by courts aren't keeping pace with inflation. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

Many court fines have fallen below inflation, with penalties for two thirds of the most common offences now worth less than two decades ago.

Australian-first analysis by Victoria's Sentencing Advisory Council looked at how fines issued by the state's Magistrates Court over a 19-year period compared with fine guidelines and inflation over that time.