Fine
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States · John Bouvier · 1839
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
in criminal law, is a pecuniary punishment imposed by a lawful tribunal, upon a person convicted of crime or misdemeanor. See Shep. Touchs.
2; Bac. Abr. Fines and Amercements.
The amount of the fine is frequently left to the discretion of the court, who ought to proportion each fine to the offence. To prevent the abuse of excessive fines the constitution of the United States directs that ‘excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” Amendm. to the Constitution, art.
8.