Eighth Amendment Cruel And Unusual Punishment
Overview: Eighth Amendment — Cruel and Unusual Punishment
The amendment protects against punishments that are excessive, degrading, or disproportionate to the crime.
It applies primarily to criminal sentencing and prison conditions.
Courts interpret it through evolving standards of decency and proportionality.
Key Cases
1. Furman v. Georgia (1972)
Facts:
Furman was sentenced to death, but the sentencing process was inconsistent.
Holding:
The Supreme Court ruled the death penalty, as applied, was arbitrary and capricious, violating the Eighth Amendment.
Significance:
Temporarily halted the death penalty nationwide, requiring states to revise sentencing procedures to avoid unfairness.
2. Gregg v. Georgia (1976)
Facts:
After Furman, Georgia introduced new sentencing procedures.
Holding:
The Court upheld the death penalty under guided discretion and procedural safeguards.
Significance:
Reinstated the death penalty under stricter rules to avoid arbitrary sentences.
3. Atkins v. Virginia (2002)
Facts:
Atkins, intellectually disabled, was sentenced to death.
Holding:
Executing intellectually disabled individuals violates the Eighth Amendment.
Significance:
Set limits on who can receive the death penalty based on mental capacity.
4. Estelle v. Gamble (1976)
Facts:
Prisoner claimed inadequate medical care violated his rights.
Holding:
Deliberate indifference to serious medical needs of prisoners is cruel and unusual punishment.
Significance:
Established prisoners’ right to adequate medical care.
5. Roper v. Simmons (2005)
Facts:
Simmons was sentenced to death for a crime committed as a minor.
Holding:
Executing individuals under 18 violates the Eighth Amendment.
Significance:
Banned juvenile death penalty nationwide.
6. Harmelin v. Michigan (1991)
Facts:
Harmelin received a life sentence without parole for possessing a large amount of cocaine.
Holding:
Upheld severe sentences even if they seem harsh, as long as not disproportionate in context.
Significance:
Allowed some strict mandatory sentences.
Summary Table
| Case Name | Year | Issue | Holding | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furman v. Georgia | 1972 | Death penalty’s arbitrary use | Death penalty unconstitutional as applied | Halted death penalty to fix arbitrariness |
| Gregg v. Georgia | 1976 | Revised death penalty procedures | Death penalty constitutional with safeguards | Reinstated death penalty with limits |
| Atkins v. Virginia | 2002 | Death penalty for intellectually disabled | Execution unconstitutional | Protected disabled from death penalty |
| Estelle v. Gamble | 1976 | Prison medical care | Deliberate indifference unconstitutional | Prisoners’ right to medical care |
| Roper v. Simmons | 2005 | Juvenile death penalty | Execution under 18 unconstitutional | Banned juvenile death penalty |
| Harmelin v. Michigan | 1991 | Severe mandatory sentences | Upheld life sentence for drug possession | Allowed some harsh sentences |
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