Legal Definitions - excessive fine

An excessive fine is a punishment in the form of a monetary penalty that is unreasonably high and disproportionate to the offense committed. This type of fine can seriously impair one's earning capacity, especially from a business. The Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution prohibits excessive fines.

For example, a civil forfeiture in which the property was not an instrumentality of the crime and the worth of the property was not proportional to the owner's culpability is considered an excessive fine. Another example is a fine that is so high that it bankrupts a business, causing it to shut down.

These examples illustrate how an excessive fine can be unfair and unjust, causing harm to individuals and businesses beyond what is reasonable for the offense committed.