Wheatt v. State

The defendant was indicted and convicted of trafficking in cannabis in violation of Alabama Code 1975, Section 20-2-80 (1)(a) (Supp. 1981).1 Sentence was six years' imprisonment and a fine of $25,000.00. The issues on appeal concern the constitutionality of Alabama's drug trafficking statutes.

I

The defendant's argument that the fining of an indigent defendant is unconstitutional is without merit. Under the defendant's reasoning, any fine levied against an indigent is excessive simply because the defendant is unable to pay the fine. Because the imprisonment of an indigent offender for failure…