8th Amendment

Rights guaranteed by 8th

Protection from cruel/unusual punishment & excessive bails/fines. Ex: can’t be given death penalty for stealing

Furman v. Georgia

Death penalty was suspended because it was being given a lot more often to minorities (mainly African-Americans) and poor people, therefore it was being used in a discriminatory way

SCOTUS trend regarding death penalty for minors

Minors can’t be sentenced to death for any crime

SCOTUS trend regarding life without parole

Minors can no longer be sentenced to life without possibility of parole

Arguments IN FAVOR of death penalty

1. Closure for victim’s family

2. Deterrent to stop other potential criminals

3. “Eye for an eye”

4. Criminal can’t hurt anyone if they’re dead

5. Sometimes solves overcrowding in prisons

Arguments AGAINST death penalty

1. “Murder is a sin”

2. Prison for life is arguably a better punishment (makes them think about their actions)

3. Appeals process is very expensive; costs tax money

4. Death penalty is inhumane

5. Other developed countries have abolished the death penalty

5 types of execution in US

1. Lethal injection

2. Electrocution

3. Deadly gas

4. Hanging

5. Firing squad

Current global attitude towards death penalty

Moving away from death penalty