In the landmark case of Atkins v. Virginia (2002), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled-consistent with laws already in effect in many states-that

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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Atkins v. Virginia (2002) that mental retardation is a mitigating factor that makes the death penalty unconstitutional. The court held that "the mentally retarded should be categorically excluded from the death penalty." This ruling limits the scope of the death penalty and provides legal protections for individuals with mental retardation.

In the Landmark Case of Atkins V