Supreme Court says constitutional protection against excessive fines applies to state

[alexa]

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Wednesday that the Constitution’s prohibition on excessive fines applies to state and local governments, limiting their abilities to impose fines and seize property.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, on just her second day back on the bench after undergoing cancer surgery in December, announced the decision for the court, saying that the Eighth Amendment’s Excessive Fines Clause protects against government retribution.
“For good reason, the protection against excessive fines has been a constant shield throughout Anglo-American history: Exorbitant tolls undermine other constitutional liberties,” Ginsburg wrote. “Excessive fines can be used, for example, to retaliate against or chill the speech of political enemies. . . . Even absent a political motive, fines may be employed in a measure out of accord with the penal goals of retribution and deterrence.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/polit...=.1d6bfc968904

I applaud the ruling.

[Peter1469]

Seems like a good ruling on its face.

[Green Arrow]

I defended the possibility of the ruling going this way months ago. It’s a good ruling, and I particularly appreciate Justice Gorsuch for leading the charge with such forceful arguments in favor of the majority. Civil forfeiture has been out of control for a long time, and it’s nice to see someone (or in this case, 9 someones) saying no for a change.