What might happen without eighth amendment?

Eighth Amendment: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. 

If the Eighth Amendment did not exist, those arrested could be liable to pay great fines far exceeding the amount needed for the action. Bail could be set to an unreasonable amount, which could unnecessarily limit the freedom of someone who was only accused of wrongdoing. The courts would be able to enforce punishments that are harsher and not commensurate with the offense that the person committed.