The Court, in an opinion by Justice Stevens, found that the excessively high punitive damages in this case violate the Due Process clause. For punitive damages to stand, the damages must be reasonably necessary to vindicate the State 's legitimate interest in punishment and deterrence. Punitive damages may not be "grossly excessive '' - if they are, then they violate substantive due process.
according to the bmw of north america v. gore case excessive punitive damages violate what
the Due Process clause