Which of the following scenarios BEST shows a violation of the Eighth Amendment?
a. Ronald Gault was caught shoplifting a book from his school’s book fair. He was arrested and punished with eight years in a juvenile detention center.
b. The Gault brothers were accused of online bullying. They were accused of harassment and required to attend four counseling sessions.
c. Gerald Gault was caught cheating on his U.S. History test. He was given a zero on the test and had to serve two one-hour detentions.
d. The Gault brothers were accused of vandalizing their school. The boys were found guilty and received a punishment of 20 hours community service.
The BEST scenario that shows a violation of the Eighth Amendment is:
a. Ronald Gault was caught shoplifting a book from his school’s book fair. He was arrested and punished with eight years in a juvenile detention center.
This scenario violates the Eighth Amendment because the punishment of eight years in a juvenile detention center for a shoplifting offense is considered excessive and disproportionate, which goes against the prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment.