"Furman v. Georgia"

Paper Summary:

The paper describes the background of the "Furman v. Georgia" case and the eventual ruling of the Supreme Court that the Georgia death penalty statute was unconstitutional. The paper addresses the implications of this case that was viewed by many as a landmark decision that forced each state to revise death penalty statutes. The paper notes, however, that the ruling still failed to address death penalty statutes in a manner to guide states on the application of the death penalty in accordance with the Eighth Amendment.

Outline:
Introduction
Arguments
Background of the Case
The Ruling
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"In the United States, the Supreme Court has the highest level of authority when determining cases. During the 20th Century, many cases have been heard in front of the Supreme Court. One case which has stood out is Furman vs. Georgia (1972). This case had a large impact on determining under which circumstances a person should receive the death penalty. Just like any argument, both sides had different views on the death penalty. At the conclusion of this trial, the Supreme Court determined that the death penalty was not unconstitutional but the state should reconsider the factors for capital punishment (The Oyez Project, N.D., 3). Because of this decision, many states have changed the determining factors for capital punishment and many states have abolished the use of the death penalty."

Sample of Sources Used:

• http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0408_0238_ZD2.html
• http://www.wcl.american.edu/hrbrief/spring98/html/death.html
• Cornell University Law School, (N.D.). Retrieved on June 26, 2009 from http://cfr.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0428_0153_ZS.html
• Prince of Antarctica, (2002-2006). Retrieved on June 26, 2009 from http://www.princeofantarctica.com/paper/21/furman-vs-georgia.htm
• The Oyez Project, (N.D.). Furman v. Georgia, 408 U.S. 238 (1972). Retrieved on June 26, 2009 from http://oyez.org/cases/1970-1979/1971/1971_69_5003

More papers on "Furman v. Georgia":

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• Analytical Essay # 145206 : "Thurgood Marshall and the Death Penalty"

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