Final answer:
Progressive fines are calculated based on the offender's income to ensure the fine is equitable. They vary with the income level, making the punishment financially proportional to what one can afford.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question '_____ fines are fines that are dependent upon the income of the offender at the time of sentencing.' is b) Progressive fines. Progressive fines are calculated based on the offender's income to ensure that the punishment is equitable regardless of financial status.
This means that two individuals who commit the same crime would pay different amounts if their incomes were different. The goal of progressive fines is to impose a penalty that reflects the individual's ability to pay, making the fine more or less punitive depending on one's income level.