also: とがりょう
noun
minor fine; penalty for a petty offense
A legal term for a small monetary penalty imposed for minor violations, distinct from 罰金 (criminal fine).
軽い違反で科料を科せられた。
I was fined a minor penalty for a light violation.
Alternate reading with とが; rarely used in modern legal contexts.
罰金 is a criminal fine for more serious offenses, while 科料 is a smaller penalty for minor infractions.
Compound of 科 (punishment, offense) and 料 (fee, charge). The reading かりょう is standard; とがりょう uses the older kun-reading とが for 科.