What is the purpose of the Eighth Amendment?
The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects individuals from excessive punishments imposed by the government. It states, “Excessive defendant will appear in court when required.">bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” The purpose of the Eighth Amendment is to prevent the government from punishing individuals too harshly or in an inhumane manner. It is a guardian of individuals’ rights against oppressive governments and protects against excessive punishments. This includes physical or emotional torture, long prison sentences, or fines that are too large for someone to pay. The original purpose of the Eighth Amendment was to protect individuals from being punished for minor offenses. For example, someone arrested for petty theft cannot receive a sentence of life in prison or a million-dollar fine. In recent decades, the Eighth Amendment has been used to protect individuals from cruel and unusual punishment, such as excessive solitary confinement or abusive behavior from corrections officers. The Eighth Amendment has been used to protect those accused and convicted of crimes in Washington, as well as individuals in other states. This is an important protection that helps ensure that all individuals, regardless of their wealth or status, are treated fairly in the legal system.
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