No. 25-7069
Response WaivedIFP
Tags: ability-to-pay constitutional-limits-on-punishment criminal-sentencing eighth-amendment excessive-fines-clause proportionality
Latest Conference:
2026-04-24
Question Presented (from Petition)
1. Whether the state court erred in upholding, contrary to U.S. v. Bajakajian, 524 U.S. 321 (1998), and the Excessive Fines Clause, a mandatory fine pursuant to a statute that does not allow any proportionality considerations?
2. Whether the state court erred in affirming, contrary to the holdings of the supreme courts of other states and the Excessive Fines Clause, fines and surcharges imposed under statutes that do not allow consideration of the defendant's ability to pay?
Question Presented (AI Summary)
Whether the state court erred in upholding mandatory fines pursuant to statutes that do not allow proportionality considerations or consideration of the defendant's ability to pay, in violation of the Excessive Fines Clause as interpreted in U.S. v. Bajakajian
Docket Entries
2026-04-09
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 4/24/2026.
2026-04-02
Waiver of Florida of right to respond submitted.
2026-04-02
Waiver of right of respondent Florida to respond filed.
2026-03-13
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due April 20, 2026)
Attorneys
Florida
Celia A. Terenzio — Respondent
Minton
Gary Lee Caldwell — Office of Public Defender, Petitioner