Eight Amendment Research Paper

Words: 452
Pages: 2

The eight amendment states: “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted” (u.s government). This amendment states that punishments that are cruel and unusual are not permitted, and should not be used on human being. If we were addressing this issue in a moral point of view, then my opinion would have changed. However, we are discussing it from a law point of view; therefore, I would say the use of lethal injection, as a punishment, is neither cruel, nor unusual.
In this amendment, two words are important when it comes to lethal injections. Is it Cruel? Or is it unusual?. “Cruel” which means hurting others cannot be used to describe others. There are two main reasons. First,
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It was followed by pancuronium bromide, which inhibits muscle contraction and stops breathing. The final compound was potassium chloride, an electrolyte that stops the heart.” (Vision.com) The first drug that is injected makes you unable to feel pain. Which means you cannot be hurt if you cannot feel pain. Which means it cannot considered being cruel.
Which brings me to the third reason why cruel should not be used to describe these injections. Making it “smother, painless, and easier” for the criminals will defeat the sole purpose of them being convicted in the first place. It defeats the purpose of the punishment. Punishments are not supposed to be painless, easy, and smooth. Punishments are supposed to be painful, hard, and fearful so people can learn and not commit the same mistakes.
Is lethal injection are unusual? In the documentary, the author clearly states that those drugs are used to put animals down. Not comparing human beings with animals, but, the fact they are used on animals means that unusual cannot be used to describe these injections. Sometimes, things happen. Unfortunately for Mr. lockett, the injection process did not work. This malfunction ends up causing him alto of pain. However, the malfunction does not happen to every cases. Therefore, this should not stop justice to be