Alaska bush pilot Kenneth Jouppi will have his case heard by the Supreme Court. He is fighting the state's attempt to seize his airplane over a passenger's beer. Jouppi argues the forfeiture violates the Eighth Amendment's Excessive Fines Clause. The case involves a 1969 Cessna and a misdemeanor alcohol conviction. This legal battle could define limits on government forfeiture powers.

A six-pack of Budweiser could cost an Alaskan pilot his $95,000 plane unless the Supreme Court agrees the punishment doesn’t fit the crime.

The Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear an appeal from an Alaskan bush pilot whose plane was seized by authorities after they discovered it was bound for a remote dry village with…