If so, Stone could be facing much higher fines than $10,000.

And if Microsoft continues to withhold the information, even higher fines will be imposed, a person with knowledge of the commission's plans said.

Soon after, Delaware changed its law to allow far higher fines.

Despite Kelly's example, he still sees high fines as a deterrent, although there may be alternatives.

Others ranged from a beating to very high fines.

The higher fines at Flemington were meant to send a message to other competitors, he said.

Administration officials agreed that higher fines were appropriate in some cases.

Some experts say they believe that high fines themselves might be the reason officials have difficulty collecting outstanding penalties.

There are also significantly higher fines if an animal is injured in the hit and run accident.

After four days a public emergency was declared and the nurses, facing high fines, went back to work.