Read the list of sentences from the article.

1. To determine whether a punishment violates the Eighth Amendment, the Court asks whether the punishment is consistent with “contemporary standards of decency.”

2. Courts also examine whether the punishment is disproportionate to the offense.

3. These include preventing a dangerous individual from committing further crimes.

4. The Court rules that a trial judge may sentence a criminal defendant to death even if a jury has recommended a life sentence.

Which two sentences taken together provide the BEST evidence to support the idea that courts follow certain guidelines when considering criminal cases?

A. 1 and 2
B. 1 and 3
C. 2 and 4
D. 3 and 4