(USA Today)
Richard Wolf Feb. 20, 2019 10:30 a.m.
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Wednesday that state governments cannot impose excessive court fees, fines and forfeitures as a means of raising money.
The decision, which united the court's conservatives and liberals, makes clear that the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against "excessive fines" applies to the states.
Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, just back from lung cancer surgery, wrote the court's majority opinion and announced it from the bench.
It was a victory for Tyson Timbs, who sold less than $400 worth of heroin to undercover police officers in 2013. Upon conviction, Indiana seized his Land Rover, which he had purchased for more than $42,000.
Liberals and libertarians alike have groused for years about what they see as increasingly greedy governments. A study by Harvard University and the National Institute of Justice found that some 10 million people owe more than $50 billion as a result of the fines, fees and forfeitures.
Comments