What are the main penalties associated with summary offences?

The correct choice highlights that summary offences typically result in less severe penalties compared to indictable offences. In this context, fines are a common outcome for summary offences, reflecting the minor nature of these infractions. Additionally, the possibility of up to 6 months imprisonment aligns with the legal framework where summary offences are generally handled by magistrates and are subjected to shorter custodial sentences. This shows the focus on rehabilitation and proportionate punishment for less serious crimes.

Other potential penalties like community service or probation might be available for certain offences, but they are not the primary or defining penalties for summary offences. Life imprisonment is reserved for the most serious crimes, which do not apply to summary offences, marking a stark contrast in severity. Restitution to victims might be a part of some sentencing processes, but it is not a direct penalty associated with summary offences themselves, further underscoring the appropriateness of fines or short-term imprisonment as the main penalties.