The Eighth Amendment

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and 
unusual punishments inflicted.
The Eighth Amendment protects criminal defendants from excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishments. 
This is necessary in preventing the government from unfairly treating criminals in the trial and sentencing process. 
Bail must be reasonable in accordance to the crime and the criminal cannot be treated maliciously.
This cartoon demonstrates an example of a “cruel and unusual” punishment as protected against in the eight amendment. 
This amendment is essential to the Constitution as it protects against unfair and inappropriate punishments to those convicted 
of a crime. A minimal crime can not constitute a large punishment under the eighth amendment.
This article discusses the reasons and historical context under which the eighth amendment was created. It also mentions 
important Supreme Court cases that were decided upon the eighth amendment, establishing its significance.

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