Final answer:
A violation of an accused person's civil rights leading to unjust punishment is known as a miscarriage of justice, and is prevented by protections found in the U.S. Constitution, including the Eighth Amendment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The formal or informal violation of an accused person's civil rights that leads to unjustified punishment is a concept known as miscarriage of justice. This concept is central to the criminal justice system, as it underscores the importance of a fair and unbiased legal process, which is protected by various amendments in the U.S. Constitution such as the Eighth Amendment. The Eighth Amendment expressly prohibits cruel and unusual punishments and ensures that bail is not set excessively high. Furthermore, civil liberties and civil rights are safeguarded by the Constitution to prevent such miscarriages of justice, with civil liberties providing protection from government power (like the First Amendment's protection of religious freedom) and civil rights ensuring equal treatment under the law (as demonstrated in the Equal Protection Clause).