Cambridge University Press The Eighth Amendment and Its Future in a New Age of Punishment

This book provides a theoretical and practical exploration of the constitutional bar against cruel and unusual punishments, excessive bail, and excessive fines. It explores the history of this prohibition, the current legal doctrine, and future applications of the Eighth Amendment. With contributions from the leading academics and experts on the Eighth Amendment and the wide range of punishments and criminal justice actors it touches, this volume addresses constitutional theory, legal history, federalism, constitutional values, the applicable legal doctrine, punishment theory, prison conditions, bail, fines, the death penalty, juvenile life without parole, execution methods, prosecutorial misconduct, race discrimination, and law & science. Book Description A theoretical and practical exploration of the constitutional bar against cruel and unusual punishments, excessive bail, and excessive fines. About the Author Meghan J. Ryan is the Associate Dean for Research and Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor at Southern Methodist University (SMU) Dedman School of Law in Dallas, TX. An award-winning scholar and teacher, her work spans the areas of criminal law & procedure, law & science, and torts. Her writing focuses primarily on the U.S. Supreme Court's Eighth Amendment jurisprudence, wrongful convictions and sentencing, and the roles of science and technology in the law. She is also engaged in interdisciplinary projects such as collaborating with engineers and statisticians to find a scientific basis for various forms of forensic evidence.William W. Berry III is a Professor of Law and Montague Professor at the University of Mississippi School of Law, where he teaches and writes about criminal law, focusing on issues related to criminal sentencing and the death penalty. He has published extensively on the Eighth Amendment, including articles in the Texas Law Review, Southern California Law Review, UCLA Law Review, and Washington University Law Review, among others. He is also co-author of several books, including Criminal Law (Ninth Edition, 2020).