Frank v. Gaos
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in Frank v. Gaos 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 Frank v. Gaos.
The Supreme Court decided that the Eighth Amendment's Excessive Fines Clause applies to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause. The case involved the seizure of a vehicle by Indiana, which was deemed disproportionate to the offense. The Court emphasized the historical importance of protecting against excessive fines.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in Frank v. Gaos.
The Court held that the Eighth Amendment's Excessive Fines Clause is applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in Frank v. Gaos. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Excessive Fines is relevant to Frank v. Gaos
The case directly addresses the applicability of the Eighth Amendment's Excessive Fines Clause 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 Substantive Due Process is relevant to Frank v. Gaos
The incorporation of the Excessive Fines Clause through the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause involves substantive due process principles.
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 Procedural Due Process is relevant to Frank v. Gaos
The case involves the application of due process principles in determining the incorporation of the Excessive Fines Clause.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)In considering whether the Fourteenth Amendment incorporates a Bill of Rights protection, this Court asks whether the right guaranteed—not each and every particular application of that right—is fundamental or deeply rooted.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in Frank v. Gaos that support the summary and concepts above.
The Eighth Amendment's Excessive Fines Clause is an incorporated protection applicable to the States.
Protection against excessive fines has been a constant shield throughout Anglo-American history.
The historical and logical case for concluding that the Fourteenth Amendment incorporates the Excessive Fines Clause is indeed overwhelming.
