The Eighth Amendment Explained: The Constitution for Dummies Series

Continuing the Constitution for Dummies Series with the Bill of Rights and Amendment 8 with an emphasis on the death penalty.. Explained simply so you can understand the Constitution of the United States.

"An informed citizenry is the only true repository of the public will." TJ
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[NeciaGamez]

I'm a college student and your videos have helped me a lot. A lot of college professors like to say they don't like "dumbing down" information, but I don't believe its dumbing down, it's explaining it in a way that makes sense to different learning styles of all types. Thank you so much for what you do!!! Please keep on with the awesomeness!

[richardellis]

Just a note, after the six minute mark, you stated that we dont execute minors in this country. We absolutely used to, including in the 20th century. They just happened to be black minors, like Stinney.

[gravityrain]

Lol I’m in 7th Grade soc class and our teacher told us to make a poster. I got the 8th amendment. Thanks this video really helped my poster!

[thepersonageek]

according to the bill of rights and current day federal services, appearently prohibiting quality hd color television to prisoners is cruel and unusual

[harmie]

I am doing a project for the 8th amendment for a constitution project we are doing in my us government class. I understood the cruel and unusual punishment part, but I was confused with excessive fines/bails.  although a few things you said didn't make sense and I have to search up terms and definitions, you really helped clear things up for me and now I have a better understanding of the 8th amendment. thank you very much.

[walterdennisclark]

HipHughester here...
Next time you lecture on the "excessive bail" you might mention that bail money is rented money. Even if a rich person takes it out of savings, they loose its interest. Bail bond is a big business and it is fascinating how they serve to encourage attendance at court while at the same time taking money as part of the punishment. Also interesting is that the perp doesn't get that rent back when they are found innocent.

[hiphughes]

Federal law does not effect state prosecution unless there is a Federal issue brought up on appeal. In regards to the death penalty, the court has left that up to the states. Certain federal supreme court decision regulate bail to the degree of it not being punitive and in regards to the execution of the mentally handicapped and minors. Any federal law would certainly be challenged in federal court by the states if they saw it as an incursion into their tenth amendment reserved power as it relates to state criminal justice. So its a tetter totter which rests on the Constitution and its interpretation. Make sense Tom?

[hiphughes]

The court case you want to research is Atkins vs Virginia. That was in 2002, so before that each state had different rules, but the protection of the mentally handicapped from execution was selectively incorporated by Atkins. As to the specifics of IQ and the determination made in reference, I have no idea. Good luck on your paper! I hope you kill it! Wait. I think that was inappropriate.

[connorpayne]

Which is ironically really seen as the US penal system is riddled with degrading and cruel or inhumane treatment, solitary confinement has been ruled as torture by the UN also

[menagerie]

Some context for dummies. Can cruel and unusual treatment be imposed under the color of law but without the victim being in custody. Can c&u be used as an inducement?

[ljsmooth]

That perceived evil you shouldn't be let out on Bond.

[zrune]

Thank you! I will be sure to look in to that case. Keep up the good work making videos! I watch them often, but it is my first time commenting.

[anonymouslyknown]

So what do you think of Child support violating the 8th amendment? That was brought up to me by a father..

[ELCLAVE]

So doesn't this mean that the bail bond industry is technically illegal.

[sebaswins]

Sounds like NY attorneys need to watch this video.

[melheinrich]

Question I have is district attorneys who went soft on crime with lower penalties than what is recommended on the books 📚? Does 8th amendment comes into play?

[stevesanchez]

Well said. Not everybody can keep track of ALL the constitutional amendments and the Bill of Rights, (which is similar to our U.S. Constitution.) that were enacted under our Founding Fathers. Texas hadn't been a state until 1845. But you get the point. Before America had been founded, the citizens under British rule couldn't express their freedom of speech ; without being taken into custody of the British monarchy. British soldiers could invade peoples' homes *without due process.* And enter private property without *any* legal jurisdiction or a legal decree - that they could legally search their citizens' homes. And being illegally detained, set up, and having exorbitant fines. And being unjustly put on trail. All *without probable cause.*

[abby-iiqv]

im doin a project on thus in college this helped thx a bunch

[zrune]

I want to add something to this conversation that might help things along.

In a testimony from Richard C. Dieter the Executive Director of the Death Penalty Information Center in Washington DC and a professor at Catholic University Law School says that, "New York spent over $170 million over 9 years and had no executions, " and " New Jersey Spent 250$ over a 25 year period and also had no executions."

The money was spent on Capital Punishment cases.

[MikeyGQOTA]

I am actually against death penalty because other prisoners get mistreated around the world to create commercial products, including the works their labors. "Prisoners are now a commercial assembly factory."