8. No cruel or unusual punishment

As from the US Bill of Rights: "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted." Bail should not be set arbitrarily high just to keep the accused in jail; it is intended only to make sure that the accused shows up for trial. The death penalty may only be imposed if the jury unanimously agrees, and only for deliberate murder or torture. Torture of prisoners, defendants, or convicts is expressly prohibited, except that convicts may be sentenced to the same abuse that they were duly convicted of giving their victims, if the jury unanimously agrees. Either judge or jury may reduce (but not increase) any sentence imposed by the other, and no law may impose any mandatory minimum sentence. No one shall be put on a publicized "sex offender list" or any other such list which makes it easy for the general public to harass the convict or otherwise violate his privacy, although his sentence may include restrictions or prohibitions against certain jobs or activities (such as working with children or the private data of others). Convicts who have served their sentences or been paroled shall have all their rights restored, including their presumption of innocence. However, courts may consider their conviction and sentencing record (but not arrest record) in determining sentencing (but not guilt). Thus first time offenders can hopefully be rehabilitated instead of hardened, and repeat offenders can be given progressively harsher sentences.


[1. Freedom of Religion, Communication, Assembly, and Petition
[2. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms
[3. No Quartering of Troops
[4. No Unreasonable Search
[5. No double jeopardy or self-incrimination; due process required
[6. Fair Trial
[7. Trial by Jury
[8. Reasonable bail and punishment] 
[9. Rights retained by the People
[10. Powers not delegated are reserved
[13. No Slavery
[14. Equal Rights
[15, 19, 24, 26. Right to Vote] 

[A. Rights of All Individuals in relation to All Other Individuals (Inherent Rights)
[B. The Bill of Rights (of All Individuals in relation to Government)
[C. Conditional (Presumed) Rights
[D. Other Common Provisions]