Supreme Court Rules that Excessive Fines Clause Applies to States

[MechAg94]

https://reason.com/2019/02/20/supreme-court-rules-that-excessive-fines/

Earlier today, the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Timbs v. Indiana. The decision is potentially a major victory for property rights and civil liberties. The key questions before the Court are whether the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment is "incorporated" against state governments and, if so, whether at least some state civil asset forfeitures violate the Clause. The justices answered both questions with a unanimous and emphatic "yes."

I haven't had a chance to read through this yet, but it looks like a good step in the right direction.

[makattak]

It's also 9 months old...


But still a good step. Hopefully it will help put a stop to this crap happening next door to Indiana:

https://reason.com/2019/11/06/a-michigan-man-underpaid-his-property-taxes-by-8-41-the-county-seized-his-property-sold-it-and-kept-the-profits/

[MechAg94]

Not really the same thing, but fits in the same protections.  I am surprised he was able to go 2 or 3 years with unpaid tax debt without a stack of reminders telling him exactly how much he now owed.  Or that he would have to "calculate" the interest owed rather than him just paying a bill. 


I find it easier just to go to the local county annex building and pay property taxes in person.  They are usually very helpful and fast if you are giving them money as opposed to doing title transfers. 

[MillCreek]

^^^I love that I can pay my property taxes online whilst in my jammies.  There is either a $ 60 'convenience fee' if using a credit card, or $0.50 as an electronic check.  Guess which option I go with.

[Hawkmoon]

U.S. Code § 1983. Civil action for deprivation of rights

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/1983

[makattak]

Not really the same thing, but fits in the same protections.  I am surprised he was able to go 2 or 3 years with unpaid tax debt without a stack of reminders telling him exactly how much he now owed.  Or that he would have to "calculate" the interest owed rather than him just paying a bill.  


I find it easier just to go to the local county annex building and pay property taxes in person.  They are usually very helpful and fast if you are giving them money as opposed to doing title transfers.  

In the article, it indicates the counties are doing the absolute minimum to alert people of the problem so they can foreclose. Lots of evil people in those governments. They have exchanges gleeful about what they'll do when they are allowed to steal the properties.

What's funny is they are acting like the caricature of the greedy capitalist... Bit they're from the government and they're here to help.