Discuss the controversy of victim impact statements (VISs) in death penalty cases. What were at least two (2) supreme court rulings regarding VISs, and what were the outcomes?
What will be an ideal response?
Controversy—violates Eighth Amendment rights; Supreme Court Rulings—(1) Booth v. Maryland—the VIS would impose a constitutionally unacceptable risk that the jury might impose the death penalty in an arbitrary and capricious manner, (2) South Carolina v. Gathers—references to the qualities of the victim were similar to the Booth decision as such evidence was likely to inflame the jury and violate the defendant’s Eighth Amendment right, (3) Payne v. Tennessee—the court reversed the Booth decision and noted that the victim’s character and the harm caused to the victim could be considered in a sentencing decision.
You might also like to view...
The PROTECT Act of 2003 authorizes the prosecution of Americans whose behavior involves sexual exploitation of children:
A) ?in the United States only B) ?in Europe only. C) ?in Asia only. D) ?anywhere in the world.
That part of our personality that seeks acceptance, and is manipulative in its efforts is known as what?
a. Natural child b. Adapted child c. Adult
Euthanasia is another name for mercy killing
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
Any appeal in a criminal case that is not satisfactorily resolved at the__________ appellate court level may be brought before the state supremecourt
a. Medium b. Intermediate c. Secondary d. Interrogatory