Eighth Amendment To The United States Constitution
The Eighth Amendment (Amendment VIII) to the United States Constitution is the part of the United States Bill of Rights prohibiting the federal government from imposing excessive bail, excessive fines or cruel and unusual punishments. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that this amendment's Cruel and Unusual Punishment Clause applies to the states. The phrases employed originated in the English Bill of Rights of 1689.
Read more about Eighth Amendment To The United States Constitution: Background, Cruel and Unusual Punishments, Evolving Standards of Decency, Excessive Fines, Excessive Bail
Famous quotes containing the words eighth, amendment, united, states and/or constitution:
“Thou shalt not steal.”
—Bible: Hebrew Exodus, 20:15.
The eighth commandment.
“[Asserting] important First Amendment rights ... why should [executions] be the one area that is conducted behind closed doors?... Why shouldnt executions be public?”
—Phil Donahue (b. 1935)
“In a moment when criticism shows a singular dearth of direction every man has to be a law unto himself in matters of theatre, writing, and painting. While the American Mercury and the new Ford continue to spread a thin varnish of Ritz over the whole United States there is a certain virtue in being unfashionable.”
—John Dos Passos (18961970)
“My opinion is that the Northern states will manage somehow to muddle through.”
—John Bright (18111889)
“But in every constitution some large degree of animal vigor is necessary as material foundation for the higher qualities of the art.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (18031882)