The Supreme Court automatically reviews the cases of criminals convicted with which penalty?

The Supreme Court automatically reviews cases involving the death penalty because of the significance and finality of that sentence. The inherent gravity of capital punishment necessitates a thorough review process to ensure that legal standards and constitutional protections are upheld. This automatic review serves to safeguard against potential miscarriages of justice and to affirm the appropriateness of the sentence within the bounds of the law.

In contrast, other penalties like life imprisonment or longer terms of imprisonment do not automatically trigger a review by the Supreme Court. While defendants in those cases have the right to appeal their conviction or sentence, it is not mandated that the Supreme Court consider their cases unless specific legal or constitutional issues arise that warrant a higher court's attention. The distinctive nature of the death penalty, involving irreversible consequences, is what prompts this automatic procedural safeguard.