I have a similar beef. IMHO, for many years now, law enforcement agencies see themselves as revenue-generators. Its echoed in the speeches of other elected officials as well. How many times have you heard this: "Our city/county has lost $X over the past three years due to unpaid traffic tickets." They actually see "fines" as revenue due them, and if you dont pay, then you have stolen from them and they have lost revenue. It sickens me.
Well, they have to, don't they? Fines have to be accounted for as "assets due." If they don't materialize, then they have to account for them as a loss. Maybe if they had a loooockbooooxxxx..... Bwahhaaaa!