Capital Punishment
I
"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted," thus reads the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The term "cruel and unusual" first appeared in the English Bill of Rights of 1689. The American draftsman who adopted the English phrasing for the Eighth Amendment were primarily concerned with proscribing tortures and other barbarous methods of punishment. For example, the medieval punishment of cutting off the hands of thieves seems to qualify as cruel and unusual punishment. While the practice of capital punishment has long been a part of our civilization, in the 1970's it came under close scrutiny by the Supreme Court of the United States and it has somewhat remained an issue ever since.
The landmark decision in 1976 in the case of Gregg v. Georgia the United States Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty does not violate the Eighth Amendment, provided that there are safeguards against any arbitrary or capricious imposition by juries. The majority opinion reads, "the requirement of the Eighth Amendment must be applied with an awareness of the limited role played by the courts...while we have an obligation to ensure that constitutional bounds are not over-reached, we may not act as judges as we might as legislators...therefore, in assessing a punishment selected by a democratically elected legislature against the constitutional measure, we presume its validity."
While I appreciate that the Justices know their place in our system of government, I cannot help but rejoice in the freedom that I, along with the rest of humanity, possess, that we may decide whether or not capital punishment is a just form of punishment without being hamstrung by the formalities that are evident in our government. Furthermore, I intend to show that given the proper...
More Death Penalty
essays:
Capital punishment, the legal infliction of the death penalty
... Is the death penalty 'cruel and unusual punishment'? We must devise more sane methods of execution which are quick and efficient. Most importantly we must make the appeals process more orderly to cut down ...
Capital Punishment. Objective paper on the death penalty, history of, facts etc
... protection and rights of the accused. The fifth amendment prohibits the state from depriving an individual of life without due process of law. The eight amendment prohibits 'cruel and unusual' punishment. The Supreme Court has still not determined what this phrase ...
Death penalty. Paper supporting capital punishment
... the constitutional Eighth Amendment, the death penalty used to constitute cruel and unusual punishment. Those against capital punishment continue to cite examples of barbarity. 'Death on the ...
The Death Penalty: Just Punishment or Murder
... act of violence. Then the act of putting them to death would in fact be morally justified and not constitute cruel and unusual punishment. The bible states, "Who so sheddeth the blood of man ...
The Death Penalty.
... Anonymous: "Death Penalty and Sentencing Information in the United States." Internet. "Death Penalty Statistics," North Carolina Attorney General's Office. 1997. Nancy Jacobs, Alison Landes, and Mark A. Siegel. Capital Punishment, Cruel and Unusual?. Wylie ...
Is the Death Penalty right or wrong?
... that the death penalty should be abolished is that it is cruel and unusual punishment. To end a person's life is cruel no matter what way it is administered. Many states believe ...
Term paper opposing the death penalty.
... excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted," thus reads the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The term "cruel and unusual" first appeared in the English Bill of Rights of 1689. The American draftsman ...
Abetment/ Retention of Death Penalty: A Debate
... State of Georgia,4 wherein the US Supreme Court had held by a majority that the imposition and carrying out of the death penalty constitutes a 'cruel and unusual' punishment in violation of the Eighth and ...