Question

How did the case of Coker v. Georgia impact capital cases, particularly in terms of the approval of a bifurcated trial procedure? Explore the key details and implications of the Coker v. Georgia decision in relation to capital punishment trials, and discuss how the approval of a bifurcated trial procedure influenced legal proceedings in such cases.

Answer 1

Bifurcated trials, affirmed in Gregg v. Georgia, have since played an essential role in capital cases by providing a separate sentencing phase for considering a death penalty.

Step-by-step explanation:

This landmark decision was crucial because it established the precedent that the death penalty should be proportional to the crime, limiting the types of offenses that could result in a capital punishment.

Subsequently, this procedural safeguard influenced legal proceedings in capital cases, underscoring the necessity of rigorous legal standards in the application of the ultimate punishment. It is a critical aspect of the modern legal landscape regarding the administration of the death penalty in the United States.