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CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT

TheLaw.com Law Dictionary & Black's Law Dictionary 2nd Ed.

Punishment that is deemed far in excess of what would reasonably considered fair given the crime so as to be shocking to the senses of the ordinary person. The 8th Amendment to the Constitution prohibits such cruel and unusual punishment. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the death penalty in itself may not be deemed cruel and unusual punishment.

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