Alaska wants to seize a pilot’s plane over a 6-pack of beer. The Supreme Court will hear his case.

Key Points:

• The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review Alaska bush pilot Kenneth Jouppi’s challenge against the state’s attempt to seize his $95,000 airplane after a passenger brought alcohol on a flight to a dry village.
• Jouppi was convicted of a misdemeanor for transporting alcohol into a dry community and sentenced to three days in jail; Alaska’s Supreme Court ruled the plane was subject to criminal forfeiture laws.
• Jouppi argues that forfeiting his plane violates the Eighth Amendment’s Excessive Fines Clause, claiming the punishment is disproportionate to the offense of carrying a six-pack of beer.
• Alaska officials contend the forfeiture is justified due to the serious issue of alcohol abuse in rural areas and argue the state Supreme Court correctly applied legal standards for proportionality.
• The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments in the fall, with Jouppi’s attorneys asserting the case raises important constitutional questions about government overreach and excessive fines.