Courts

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Is Back To Work And Better Than Ever

RBG wrote the opinion in a civil asset forfeiture case.

By  
on

(Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

For good reason, the protection against excessive fines has been a constant shield throughout Anglo-American history: Exorbitant tolls undermine other constitutional liberties. 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.

—Ruth Bader Ginsburg, writing for the first time since she’s come back to work after her bout with lung cancer, in a unanimous decision in Timbs v. Indiana. The Court held the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on excessive fines applies to state and local governments.

Sponsored

Topics

, , ,