Yovino v. Rizo
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in Yovino v. Rizo 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 Yovino v. Rizo.
In Yovino v. Rizo, the Supreme Court addressed whether the Eighth Amendment's Excessive Fines Clause is applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment. The Court found that the Excessive Fines Clause is indeed incorporated against the states, emphasizing its historical significance and role in protecting individual liberties. The decision clarifies the application of federal constitutional protections to state actions.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in Yovino v. Rizo.
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 Yovino v. Rizo. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
-
Why Excessive Fines is relevant to Yovino v. Rizo
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.
-
Why Substantive Due Process is relevant to Yovino v. Rizo
The incorporation of the Excessive Fines Clause through the Fourteenth Amendment involves substantive due process analysis.
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.'
-
Why State–Federal Power is relevant to Yovino v. Rizo
The case involves the application of federal constitutional protections to state actions, affecting the balance of state and federal power.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)If a Bill of Rights protection is incorporated, there is no daylight between the federal and state conduct it prohibits or requires.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in Yovino v. Rizo 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.
