Why is the punishment of a status offense considered cruel and usual?
A) It involves punishment for a condition or characteristic that may not be translated into socially harmful acts.
B) It violates due process.
C) It is only considered cruel and unusual in the case of alcohol and drug users.
D) It is never cruel and unusual.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Status offenses involve punishing individuals for a condition or characteristic, such as being homeless or addicted to drugs, rather than for any specific harmful act they have committed. This can be seen as unjust because it punishes people for who they are rather than what they have done.

Why Is the Punishment of a Status Offense Considered Cruel