Question

Based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Woodson v. North Carolina, when is a mandatory death sentence for first degree murder constitutional?

Answer 1

In the case of Woodson v. North Carolina, the Supreme Court ruled that a mandatory death sentence for first-degree murder is unconstitutional.

Step-by-step explanation:

Woodson v. North Carolina (1976)

In the case of Woodson v. North Carolina, the Supreme Court ruled that a mandatory death sentence for first-degree murder is unconstitutional. The Court reasoned that imposing a mandatory death sentence does not allow for the consideration of individual circumstances, such as the defendant's background or the nature of the crime. This ruling established that the death penalty must be applied on a case-by-case basis, with consideration for mitigating factors.