Cruel or unusual punishments refer to punishments that are deemed excessively harsh or morally unacceptable under constitutional standards. This concept prohibits torture-like penalties inflicted upon individuals by authorities.
Related terms
Eighth Amendment: The amendment in the Bill of Rights that explicitly prohibits cruel and unusual punishments.
Death Penalty: A highly debated form of punishment involving the execution of an individual convicted of certain crimes.
Excessive Bail: Refers to setting unreasonably high amounts of money as bail, making it difficult for accused individuals to secure their release.