What legal right is protected by the 8th amendment?

The 8th Amendment to the United States Constitution primarily protects individuals from cruel and unusual punishments and also addresses excessive bail and fines. Its core purpose is to prevent the government from imposing harsh penalties that are not proportional to the crime committed or that are inhumane in nature.

The correct answer highlights the specific provision in the 8th Amendment that guards against excessive bail. This means that when someone is accused of a crime and seeking bail to be released before trial, the amount set by the court cannot be excessive to the point of denying their ability to secure their release. This protection ensures that the take of the judicial process is fair and just, recognizing that the presumption of innocence should allow individuals the opportunity to await trial without being subjected to financially burdensome bail amounts.

In the context of the other options, the right to free speech and the right to assemble peacefully are protected under the First Amendment, while the right to a fair trial is primarily covered under the Sixth Amendment. Therefore, the focus of the 8th Amendment specifically on bail and punishment distinguishes it from the rights addressed in those other amendments.