A difference in the West Virginia law

[cnoocy]

If you have been on highways, you have seen
the signs that tell you what you have to pay
if they should catch you littering. In my
experience, I've often seen a fine
of, say, three hundred dollars if the road
is notably a scenic one. The most
that you'll incur for littering in West
Virginia? Twenty-five (yes) thousand bucks,
as well as points on license, term in jail.
They have this sign on all the interstates.

All I can say is "West Virginia, yay!"

Comments

[tahnan.livejournal.com]

"Yay", you say, and yet I have to stop
And wonder if it ever gets enforced.
For one thing (note: a lawyer, I am not),
It seems that ought to violate
The Eighth Amendment, which says "excessive fines"
Shall never be imposed. And twenty-five
(no!) Thousand—well, that seems excessive, yes?

[cnoocy]

Today we took a picture of a sign
informing stoppers at an overlook
that they were being filmed. So I believe
it is enforced at least from time to time.
As for the Eighth Amendment, I should note:
this is the maximum you'll have to pay.
So probably it's mostly for extremes,
but makes a big deterrent for the rest.
(Though there was lots of litter near that sign!)