Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/boundvolumes/524bv.pdf
Page Number: 401.0

524US2

Unit: $U89

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356

UNITED STATES v. BAJAKAJIAN

Kennedy, J., dissenting

the Constitution. Nonremedial ﬁnes may be subject to def-
erence in theory but overbearing scrutiny in fact. So-called
remedial penalties, most in rem forfeitures, and perhaps civil
I would not cre-
ﬁnes may not be subject to scrutiny at all.
ate these exemptions from the Excessive Fines Clause.
I
would also accord genuine deference to Congress’ judgments
about the gravity of the offenses it creates.
I would further
follow the long tradition of ﬁnes calibrated to the value of
In these circumstances, the Constitu-
the goods smuggled.
tion does not forbid forfeiture of all of the $357,144 trans-
ported by respondent.

I dissent.