Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

The 8th amendment has been left pretty open for people to interpret. First, it prevents those accused of having bail too high to be paid off for the given offence. At the same time it says "excessive" bail, so it leaves people to judge how much is excessive. It also leaves authorities with the ability to apply their interpretation of what is not "cruel" or "unusual" punishment. Some believe the death penalty cruel while others see it completely just.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPqjCM6e5oM (embed was disabled)

Here Justice Scalia gives his understanding of "cruel and unusual punishment" and how it does not infringe on policemen hurting suspects.




This woman does not support the death penalty as it is recognized in coherence with the 8th amendment.