People v. Kopp
California Supreme Court held that excessive fines clause is proper vehicle for challenging imposition of a fine; and equal protection requires courts before assessing certain fees to consider a criminal defendant’s inability to pay, as laws imposing similar fees in civil cases contain a waiver option for indigent litigants
Related Commentary
Fines, Fees, and Bail in State Courts
Recent state supreme court cases, including a major California ruling last week, address the burden of court-imposed financial obligations on criminal defendants.