In Trop v. Dulles (1958), the Supreme Court explained that the scope of the Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause of the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is not static, but rather should be interpreted on the basis of “evolving standards of decency in a maturing society” (p. 101). Since that time, the Court has been repeatedly called upon to determine if particular capital punishment laws or their application in particular cases are consistent with the Eighth Amendment as viewed from the perspective evolving standards of decency in a maturing society.
-In what landmark decision did the Court apply this standard and invalidate all 37 then-existing state death penalty statutes?

Question

In Trop v. Dulles (1958), the Supreme Court explained that the scope of the Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause of the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is not static, but rather should be interpreted on the basis of “evolving standards of decency in a maturing society” (p. 101).  Since that time, the Court has been repeatedly called upon to determine if particular capital punishment laws or their application in particular cases are consistent with the Eighth Amendment as viewed from the perspective evolving standards of decency in a maturing society.
-In what landmark decision did the Court apply this standard and invalidate all 37 then-existing state death penalty statutes?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the landmark decision of Furman v. Georgia (1972), the U.S. Supreme Court applied the standard of "cruel and unusual punishment" as defined by the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and invalidated all 37 then-existing state death penalty statutes. The Court's decision stated that the arbitrary and inconsistent application of the death penalty violated the prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment. While the death penalty was eventually reinstated by new laws that met the Court's requirements in subsequent cases, Furman v. Georgia remains a significant ruling on the application of the Eighth Amendment to the issue of capital punishment.

In Trop V Dulles (1958), the Supreme Court Explained That the Scope