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 (ratified December 15, 1791) prohibiting the federal government from imposing excessive bail, excessive fines or cruel and unusual punishments, including torture. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that this amendment's Cruel and Unusual Punishment Clause also applies to the states. The phrases in this amendment originated in the English Bill of Rights of 1689.
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American History USA Articles
- The First United States Congress and the Bill of Rights
The Constitution was not ratified with a Bill of Rights. It was ratified with a promise that Congress would consider the issue.
