Overview
When does a fine become excessive or even oppressive? Do local governments impose fines for the benefit of their communities or their budgets? In this segment, John Stossel reports that a person might lose his home because of a $30,000 fine for long grass.

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Lesson Insights

Grade level and subjects
• Recommended for grades 6-12
• Subjects: Government and Personal Finance
• Works in Classroom, Hybrid, and Homeschool settings

What students will learn
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
• discuss the concern about local governments using fines as sources of revenue;
• identify reasons local governments have regulations on the appearance of people’s property;
• explain the Eighth Amendment and relate it to fines imposed by local governments; and
• propose solutions to the problems caused by local government-imposed fines.

Key concepts and terms covered
Eighth Amendment, States, and Public interest law firm.

Sample discussion questions
• Why might local governments have regulations on the appearance of people’s property?
• Without regard to being excessive, what enforcement mechanisms might be effective?
• If people don’t like their local government’s regulations, why don’t they just move?
• Does it matter that Jim Ficken was a repeat offender?
• What lessons can we get from this video?

What’s in the free teacher’s guide
This printable 10-page Teacher's Guide includes a lesson description, learning objectives, key vocabulary, a fill-in viewing guide with answer key, discussion and analysis questions, and classroom activities.

Standards alignment
Aligned to state standards — use the SITC Standards Tool to match this video to the standards in your state.