Fourteen years ago, Ken Jouppi, who had operated a charter airplane business in Alaska since the 1970s, agreed to fly a passenger from Fairbanks to Beaver, one of the state's dry jurisdictions. The passenger's luggage included 72 cans of Budweiser and Bud Light, which she planned to share with her husband on his birthday. Although most of the beer was boxed, a six-pack "was packed only in a grocery bag and would have been in plain view to Jouppi as he was loading the airplane," the Alaska Supreme Court noted last year.
State troopers discovered the beer before the plane took off, and Jouppi was convicted of a misdemeanor. The trial court, which concluded that Jouppi had been "willfully blind" to the six-pack, sentenced him to three days in jail and a $1,500 fine. But state law mandated another punishment that was 63 times as severe: forfeiture of Jouppi's $95,000 airplane. Although that penalty seemed grossly disproportionate, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled that it did not violate the Eighth Amendment's ban on excessive fines.
In July, responding to a petition filed by the Institute for Justice, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review that decision. It will hear oral argument in Jouppi v. Alaska on December 1. In a brief supporting Jouppi's appeal that it filed last week, the Cato Institute argues that the Alaska Supreme Court erred by failing to consider the gravity of his conduct and the financial consequences of the forfeiture. Both of those factors, Cato attorney Matthew Cavedon says, have been central to the common-law understanding of excessive fines for eight centuries.
"The Eighth Amendment was designed to prevent this kind of abuse by limiting excessive fines," Cavedon writes. "Long before the United States was founded, the common law protected people from extreme monetary penalties. But the Alaska Supreme Court's view is that challenges to excessive fines 'should rarely succeed.' This dismissive view led it to conclude that there is nothing excessive about the forfeiture of an airplane worth 'only 9.5 times the maximum fine'—and over 60 times the fine actually imposed. The decision below cannot be reconciled with this Court's precedent or the Excessive Fines Clause's original meaning."
In weighing the proportionality of the airplane forfeiture, the Alaska Supreme Court thought the relevant consideration was the harm caused by excessive drinking. "Alcohol abuse in rural Alaska leads to increased crime; disorders, such as alcoholism; conditions, such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder; and death, imposing substantial costs on public health and the administration of justice," Justice Jude Pate wrote in the majority opinion. "Within this context, it is clear that the illegal importation of even a six-pack of beer causes grave societal harm."

#court #excessive #jouppi

Four people were arrested after authorities said hundreds of vehicles blocked all northbound lanes of Interstate 75 during an apparent street takeover in Hillsborough County, Florida early Saturday, prompting a high-speed chase that reached 140 mph.
The incident began around 1:30 a.m. near mile marker 266 in Thonotosassa, where Florida Highway Patrol traffic cameras captured a large gathering of vehicles stopping traffic while some drivers performed burnouts in the middle of the interstate, according to an arrest report.
As troopers responded to the scene, video showed vehicles rapidly dispersing as drivers and spectators rushed back to their cars, the report said. While most of those involved were allowed to leave without facing charges, one green BMW allegedly sped away from the scene, leading a trooper to initiate a pursuit.
Florida Man In Bunny Helmet Allegedly Led Police On 120 Mph Chase Before Surrendering To Troopers
According to FHP, the BMW accelerated to approximately 140 mph — about twice the posted speed limit — before exiting the interstate and eventually stopping in a parking lot.

#interstate #vehicles #chase #troopers

More than 50 years after she starred in Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter still makes hearts race. A recent social media post from Carter, 75, reminded her followers why they have adored her for all of these years.
Carter had fans doing a double-take after sharing a playful behind-the-scenes bathtub photo from the set of Super Troopers 3 on her Instagram page.
She was all smiles as she filmed the comedic scene on the set, and based on her Instagram post caption, it seems she was having a blast.
The caption read, "supertroopers Ride Again!!! Follow them and us (returning cast) for a fantastic road romp!!"
Carter teasingly added, "But…wait for it…the last scene! I'm naked in a bathtub???? Oh nooooo, jaychandrasekhar you promised not to show that!"

#wonder

A 23-year-old Kentucky man has been charged with boating under the influence after one of his female passengers disappeared while on his pontoon boat.
Cameron Conley was arrested on charges of boating under the influence Wednesday after he alerted the Grayson Lake Marina staff in Carter County that Marly Kinney, 19, was no longer on his boat and that he could not find her.
Kentucky State Police and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources were called in to help with the search, Fox 56 reported.
Prominent Businessman Learns Fate In Boat Crash Case That Killed Teen, Maimed Another
When the state troopers arrived, they said they could smell alcohol on Conley's breath and asked him if he had been drinking. According to court records obtained by FOX 56, Conley admitted that he had been drinking and consented to a breath test.

If you grew up watching movies and TV in the 1990s, it was nearly impossible not to develop a crush on the starlets who lit up both the big and small screen. These talented actresses captured the era's zeitgeist, graced magazine covers, and brought unforgettable characters to life, earning places in pop culture history. Take a walk down memory lane as In Touch highlights the iconic women who stole everyone's hearts, then and now.
Denise Richards' blend of classic beauty and bold attitude made her a standout in unforgettable roles. Her performances in both films and television delighted audiences and left a mark on the entertainment landscape of the 90s. Her most recognized roles include Carmen Ibanez in Starship Troopers (1997), Kelly Van Ryan in Wild Things (1998), and Bond girl Christmas Jones in The World Is Not Enough (1999). Whether portraying the sultry siren or the girl next door, she embodied the wild energy of the decade.
Winona Ryder exuded a magnetic presence, bringing complexity and quirk to every role. She garnered critical acclaim and two consecutive Academy Award nominations for her portrayals in The Age of Innocence (1993) and Little Women (1994). With a filmography filled with fan favorites and cult classics — from Dracula to Reality Bites — she became a symbol of the era's alternative spirit. Her offbeat sensibility and striking looks made her a muse for a generation enchanted by the unconventional.
Courteney ****** 's witty charm and comedic timing made her a household name, especially among fans of her favorite sitcoms each week. She gained international recognition for her starring role as Monica Geller in the NBC sitcom Friends (1994–2004) and later as ambitious journalist Gale Weathers in 1996's Scream. Beyond her sharp sense of humor, her grounded, relatable persona resonated with millions.
With her luminous smile and contagious energy, Cameron Diaz was everyone's crush in the era of big-budget blockbusters and romantic comedies. Before landing her role in The Mask (1994), she had no prior acting experience, yet the film became a massive hit, grossing over $350 million worldwide, according to Screen Rant. She brought a refreshing blend of fun and fearlessness to each project, capturing hearts around the world. Her effortless style and comedic chops made her a pop culture icon of her time.