Fine

A sum of money paid by an offender by way of punishment In old English law. Further, a sum of money paid for a privilege; a species of conveyance and assurance by matter of record, formerly in extensive use, in form a fictitious suit compromised by the defendant and terminated by an acknowledgment of the plaintiff's right. Fine and recovery act: the statutes 3 and 4 Will. IV., c. 74, abolishing fines and recoveries.

In feudal law. Fine for alienation: a sum of money paid to the lord by the tenant whenever he aliened; a sum paid for license to alien.

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.