When legislatures increase the harshness of criminal penalties, how do courts often respond?

Question

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When legislatures increase the harshness of criminal penalties, courts often respond by mitigating that harshness. This is because courts are tasked with interpreting and applying the law, including any new legislation, while also considering constitutional rights and principles such as proportionality and due process. Thus, courts may interpret the new law narrowly or find ways to limit its application in order to avoid potentially unconstitutional or unjust results.

When Legislatures Increase the Harshness of Criminal Penalties, How Do