The Eighth Amendment requires that punishments be proportional to the crime.​Group of answer choicesTrueFalse

The statement is True. The Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution includes a clause that prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment. The principle of proportionality within this amendment has been interpreted by courts to mean that the severity of a punishment should correspond to the seriousness of the crime committed.

This means that a punishment should not be excessively harsh in comparison to the offense. The U.S. Supreme Court has indicated that punishments that are grossly disproportionate to the crime fall under the category of cruel and unusual punishment, which the Eighth Amendment forbids. This principle is essential in ensuring justice and fairness within the legal system, serving as a protection against arbitrary or vindictive penalties that could arise from a lack of proportionality. Thus, the Eighth Amendment plays a crucial role in maintaining a balance in sentencing.