fine, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

fine n.

1. (UK Und.) one who has been imprisoned for any offence; thus a sentence.

1811		Lex. Balatronicum n.p.: Fine. A man imprisoned for any offence. A fine of eighty-four months; a transportation for seven years.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1859		Matsell Vocabulum 32: fine Imprisoned. ‘The cove had a fine of two stretchers and a half imposed upon him for relieving a joskin of a load of cole,’ the fellow was sentenced to imprisonment for stealing a countryman’s money.

2. (Aus.) the cost, the price.

1973

Tharunka (Sydney) 8 Nov. 27/2: ‘All right, mother, just this once... what’s the fine, brainless?’‘Fine, sir?’‘Fee, damage, plunder, profit, cost, FUCKHEAD, COST’.

In phrases

fine or time (n.)

(US) a sentence wherin the jail time is to be remitted if the fine is paid before the time elapses; and the fine is to be deemed satisfied if the jail time elapses without payment.

1979

E. Torres After Hours 94: ‘Move that all these sentences run concurrent.’ ‘Cannot, Counselor. These are fine or time sentences. Motion denied. Anything else?’.