Jam v. International Finance Corp.
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in Jam v. International Finance Corp. and why it matters. Quotes are taken from the syllabus (the Court’s short summary at the start of the opinion).
Summary
A short, plain-English overview of Jam v. International Finance Corp..
The Supreme Court ruled that the Eighth Amendment's Excessive Fines Clause is applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause. The case involved the civil forfeiture of Tyson Timbs's vehicle, which was deemed disproportionate to the offense. The Court emphasized that protection against excessive fines is deeply rooted in American history and tradition.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in Jam v. International Finance Corp..
The Court held that the Eighth Amendment's Excessive Fines Clause is an incorporated protection applicable to the States under the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in Jam v. International Finance Corp.. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Excessive Fines is relevant to Jam v. International Finance Corp.
The case directly addresses whether the Eighth Amendment's Excessive Fines Clause is applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Held: The Eighth Amendment's Excessive Fines Clause is an incorporated protection applicable to the States under the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause.
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Why Procedural Due Process is relevant to Jam v. International Finance Corp.
The case involves the incorporation of a Bill of Rights protection through the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)The Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause incorporates and renders applicable to the States Bill of Rights protections 'fundamental to our scheme of ordered liberty,' or 'deeply rooted in this Nation's history and tradition.'
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Why State–Federal Power is relevant to Jam v. International Finance Corp.
The case discusses the application of federal constitutional protections to state actions.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)The Indiana Supreme Court reversed, holding that the Excessive Fines Clause constrains only federal action and is inapplicable to state impositions.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in Jam v. International Finance Corp. that support the summary and concepts above.
The Eighth Amendment's Excessive Fines Clause is an incorporated protection applicable to the States under the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause.
Protection against excessive fines has been a constant shield throughout Anglo-American history for good reason.
The historical and logical case for concluding that the Fourteenth Amendment incorporates the Excessive Fines Clause is indeed overwhelming.
