Definition of Excessive Fine or Penalty
The 8th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits excessive fines. A state may not constitutionally imprison a person for inability to pay a fine if he would not have been imprisoned on a showing of ability to pay the fine and on payment of the fine. Tate v. Short, 401 U.S. 395, 91 S.Ct. 668, 28 L.Ed.2d 130. Any fine or penalty which seriously impairs the capacity of gaining a business livelihood. See Corporal punishment; Excessive punishment; Punishment.
That's the definition of Excessive Fine or Penalty in Black's Law Dictionary 6th Edition. Courtesy of Cekhukum.com.