Question

The US Supreme Court hears a very limited number of cases every year, both civil and criminal. Why do you think they limit the number of cases? Remember, they are the final say in all matters legal—do you think this has anything to do with it? Explain your reasoning.

Answer 1

Explanation:

Current trends in the United States show strong support for capital punishment.  In the last 20 years, support for the death penalty has never dropped below 57 percent in opinion polls. In a few polls, it has reached as high as 80 percent. During the 1990s, two states (New York and Kansas) decided to reinstate the death penalty, while no state abolished it. The death penalty has broad popular support.

Any death-penalty law and case must meet constitutional standards. The Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution forbids “cruel and unusual punishments.” The Fifth and 14th amendments require “due process of law.” The 14th Amendment also promises “equal protection of the laws.” The Sixth Amendment guarantees every defendant a fair trial. Any defendant can appeal a death sentence on these or other grounds. Appeals courts scrutinize death-penalty cases to make sure proper procedures and constitutional standards have been followed.

The highest appeals court is the U.S. Supreme Court. This court has the final say on matters of U.S. constitutional law. It has made several landmark rulings on death-penalty cases.