The U.S. Constitution requires judges to consider mitigating factors in capital cases.

Question

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The Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution requires that judges in capital cases consider all relevant mitigating factors, such as the defendant's background and character, before deciding whether to impose the death penalty. This requirement was established by the U.S. Supreme Court in the landmark case Lockett v. Ohio (1978).

The US Constitution Requires Judges to Consider Mitigating Factors in Capital