Cruel and Unusual Punishment (8th Amendment)

A person is sentenced to death for murder. On the first try, the electric chair shocks the prisoner but does not kill him. They put the prisoner back in his cell, fix the chair, and plan to try again later. Was the malfunctioning electric chair “cruel and unusual punishment” under the 8th Amendment?

A prisoner is exposed to second-hand cigarette smoke while in prison. Is second-hand smoke “cruel and unusual punishment” under the 8th Amendment?

A person in prison hurts his back while working in prison. He is given medical treatment, but doctors do not perform an X-ray. Was not doing an X-Ray “cruel and unusual punishment” under the 8th Amendment?

A prisoner is beaten by prison guards while he is handcuffed and shackled. The guards do not have a reason to use force on the prisoner. The prisoner suffers only minor injuries, including bruises, swelling, and loose teeth. Was beating up the prisoner “cruel and unusual punishment” under the 8th Amendment if the injuries were not serious?

A man is convicted of abduction, armed robbery, and murder. At the sentencing hearing, an expert testifies the defendant has an intellectual disability. The jury sentences the man to death. Is it “cruel and unusual punishment” under the 8th Amendment to execute a person who has an intellectual disability?

A judge sentences a person to death for committing murder. A state law does not allow the judge to consider any special or individual circumstances when deciding whether to give the prisoner the death penalty. Was it “cruel and unusual punishment” under the 8th Amendment for the state law to allow the death penalty but prohibit looking at special circumstances?

A boy commits murder when he is 17 years old. At age 18, he is tried and sentenced to death. Was it “cruel and unusual punishment” under the 8th Amendment to give the death penalty to someone under 18?

A state law allows public school teachers to discipline students with corporal punishment. A middle school teacher hits several students with a wooden paddle. One student can’t use his arm for a week. Was paddling the public school student “cruel and unusual” under the 8th Amendment?