Which amendment prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment?

The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution specifically addresses the prohibition of excessive bail as well as cruel and unusual punishment. This amendment was ratified in 1791 and aims to protect individuals from harsh and disproportionate penalties and forms of punishment that do not align with the severity of the crime committed.

The concept of excessive bail means that bail should not be set at an amount that is unjustifiably high, effectively denying a person their right to pretrial freedom solely based on financial circumstances rather than the severity of the alleged offense. Similarly, the cruel and unusual punishment clause ensures that punishments fitted to offenses must be humane and not overly severe, aligning with societal standards of decency and justice. This is crucial in maintaining fair treatment within the criminal justice system.

In contrast, the other amendments listed do not address these specific issues. The Seventh Amendment deals primarily with the right to a jury trial in civil cases, the Ninth Amendment emphasizes that the enumeration of specific rights in the Constitution does not mean that people do not have other rights, and the Tenth Amendment highlights the powers reserved to the states and the people. Each of these amendments serves a different purpose and does not encompass the protections against excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment as clearly as the Eighth