American laws come with maximum fines, how does that keep up with inflation?

[goaded]

It occurred to me that a law passed in 1890, say, with a maximum fine of an average two month's pay would now be pocket change. A fine "not exceeding $1000" would cripple all but the richest 100 years ago, but wouldn't be a problem for most Americans today.

[Friendlybro79]

Most Americans don't have 1000 dollars in savings based on polls. No idea how those fines are adjusted if ever.

[goaded]

True, unfortunately. The thing is that $1000 is now the price of a car, not the price of a house.

[Friendlybro79]

You can't buy a car for a 1000 bucks unless it's 20 years old with 300k miles lol

[IceCreamSandwich]

Laws have never been for the rich.

[jennifer_bloom]

They have inflation calculators when they measure previous money from earlier years.

[goaded]

So it's according to the value at the time the law was passed?

[jennifer_bloom]

Yes, multiplied by inflation

[goaded]

Cool, thanks. It was just a strange thought that crossed my mind.