Eighth Amendment

American  

noun

1. an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, guaranteeing reasonable bail, fines, and punishment.

---

Example Sentences

They also claim their home’s forfeiture is an “excessive fine” barred by the Eighth Amendment.

From The Wall Street Journal

Isabella County, many other state and local governments and the Justice Department have pushed back hard against this argument, saying the Eighth Amendment doesn’t apply to penalties unrelated to crimes.

From The Wall Street Journal

The High Court declined to address in Tyler whether the Eighth Amendment applies to economic penalties, including home seizures to pay tax liens.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, including the denial of necessary medical care for inmates.

From Salon

The court has prevented unhoused people from using the Eighth Amendment to challenge laws that punish them for sleeping outdoors.

From Slate