Learning about Amendments 7 and 8
About the Amendments
The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. It was written by James Madison. The House approved seventeen amendments and the Senate approved twelve. On September 25, 1789, Congress transferred to the state Legislatures twelve proposed amendments to the Constitution.
The 7th Amendment
- Trial for valued things by jury is guaranteed
- The lawsuit must be over $20
- The claim must be based on federal law and be in a federal court
- You must be seeking money to compensate your loss from the person you are suing
- If the English common law of 1791 would not let your claim go to trial then it can't go to trial by jury under the Constitution
The Seventh Amendment Explained: The Constitution for Dummies Series
The 8th Amendment
- The courts can't assign the accused an excessive amount for bail
- No cruel or unusual punishments are allowed
- Prevents the government from punishing a criminal in some strange or unusual way
The Eighth Amendment Explained: The Constitution for Dummies Series