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Criminal procedure
Criminal trials and convictions
Rights of the accused
Fair trial Pre-trial Speedy trial Jury trial Counsel Presumption of innocence Exclusionary rule¹ Self-incrimination Double jeopardy² Bail Appeal
Verdict
Conviction Acquittal Not proven³ Directed verdict
Sentencing
Mandatory Suspended Custodial Periodic Discharge Guidelines Guilt Totality^5, 6 Dangerous offender^4, 5 Capital punishment Execution warrant Cruel and unusual punishment Imprisonment Life imprisonment Indefinite imprisonment Three-strikes law
Post-sentencing
Parole Probation Tariff ⁶ Life licence⁶ Criminal justice Exoneration Habitual offender Miscarriage of justice Pardon Recidivism Rehabilitation Restorative justice Sex offender registry Sexually violent predator laws¹
Related areas of law
Civil procedure Criminal defenses Criminal law Evidence
Portals
Law portal
¹ US courts ² Not in English/Welsh courts ³ Scottish courts ⁴ English/Welsh courts ⁵ Canadian courts ⁶ UK courts
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Cruel and unusual punishment is a phrase in common law describing punishment that is considered unacceptable due to the suffering, pain, or humiliation it inflicts on the person subjected to the sanction. The precise definition varies by jurisdiction, but typically includes punishments that are arbitrary, unnecessary, or overly severe compared to the crime.