Which case reaffirmed the constitutionality of the death penalty under proper procedures?

Which case reaffirmed the constitutionality of the death penalty under proper procedures?

• A. It was ruled unconstitutional in all instances.
• B. Reaffirmed the constitutionality of the death penalty under proper procedures.
• C. Declared death penalty unconstitutional in all states.
• D. Left the death penalty to states with no federal standard.

Answer: (B)

The question tests how the Supreme Court views the death penalty in light of procedural safeguards. After Furman v. Georgia (1972) struck down death sentences as applied due to arbitrary, capricious decision-making, the Court allowed states to fix their statutes. In Gregg v. Georgia (1976), the Court held that the death penalty could be constitutional again if states put in place careful procedures—specifically a bifurcated process (separate guilt and sentencing phases) and automatic appellate review—to prevent arbitrary results. This means the death penalty isn’t banned outright, but it remains constitutional only under those proper procedures. That’s why the option stating that the death penalty is constitutional under proper procedures is the best answer. The other statements incorrectly claim it is unconstitutional in all instances, unconstitutional in all states, or left without federal standards, which contradict the Gregg framework that constitutional status depends on the procedures used.

The question tests how the Supreme Court views the death penalty in light of procedural safeguards. After Furman v. Georgia (1972) struck down death sentences as applied due to arbitrary, capricious decision-making, the Court allowed states to fix their statutes. In Gregg v. Georgia (1976), the Court held that the death penalty could be constitutional again if states put in place careful procedures—specifically a bifurcated process (separate guilt and sentencing phases) and automatic appellate review—to prevent arbitrary results. This means the death penalty isn’t banned outright, but it remains constitutional only under those proper procedures. That’s why the option stating that the death penalty is constitutional under proper procedures is the best answer. The other statements incorrectly claim it is unconstitutional in all instances, unconstitutional in all states, or left without federal standards, which contradict the Gregg framework that constitutional status depends on the procedures used.