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debate over death penalty
the effects of capital punishment
the nature of free-will
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The penalty of death for murder or a severe crime of any kind in the United States has been a hot topic for a good part of the decade. Capital Punishment is seen as a way to balance the peace within society, yet some would care greatly to disagree. Not only does the victim’s family suffer, but so does the family of the criminal.
Though there are countless reasons to support the death penalty, it’s best to start off with the two simplest ones; free will and closure. Free will might sound awfully ridiculous, but it is strangely and undeniably relevant. No one is compelled or forced to commit murder or rape, so by doing so the criminal gives up any excuse they may have. A famous example of this is the night that Gregory Thompson committed pre-meditated murder and later claimed the insanity plea. This man knew exactly what he had done and no one had forced him to commit such heinous acts, ones which he now deserves to pay the price for. Not only can the death penalty keep criminals contained for the short remainders of their lives, but it can severely decrease probability of prisoner parole. Prisoner parole can give a criminal another chance to kill or rape, regardless of their state of mental health. Another very well-known case, “The Black Dahlia Murder”, involved a twenty-three year old young woman named Elizabeth Short. Now, there is no way to even remotely try to understand what had gone through the killer’s mind. Perhaps they had been truly insane, or maybe just an average person. Whatever the case may have been, they would’ve been given the death penalty if caught, and should have died immediately after receiving the death penalty. No one wants one of these people roaming the streets or taking up the space in federal prisons, w...
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There is no possible way to allow the families to receive justice for the loss of their loved ones, if the death penalty was repealed. Nothing can remove the grief for the families unless the murderer pays their dues and is sentenced to death. If the death penalty were repealed, and murderers or extreme rapists would basically just live a tax free and minimally luxurious life, facing no true punishments for their crimes. It’s a question or action that faces the depths of morality and judgment.
Works Cited
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin, 2000. Print.
“BOOKS: Death Penalty Law." Death Penalty Information Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2013.
"BalancedPolitics.org." Death Penalty (Pros & Cons, Arguments For and Against, Advantages & Disadvantages). N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2013.
9) The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Third Edition. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1996.
Adams, Cindy. “The Death Penalty as Just Punishment.” Does Capital Punishment Deter or is it a Biased Process? 3 Sept. 2008. 30 May 2010 < http://penal-system.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_death_penalty_as_just_punishment>.
"Death Penalty (Pros & Cons, Arguments For and Against)." BalancedPolitics.org - Free Balanced, Non-Partisan Discussion of Political & Social Issues for Debate (Pros and Cons - Decision Making Politics). 21 May 2009 .
Proponents of capital punishment believe that killing criminals is a moral and ethical way of punishing them. They feel there is justification in taking the life of a certain criminal, when in fact that justification is nothing more than revenge. They also feel that the death penalty deters crime, although there have been no conclusive studies confirming that viewpoint (Bedau).
There are many pros to the death penalty. Some claim that there is a preventative effect on potential murderers, although there is a lot of debate about this and just about every other argument for or against capital punishment. Another is the idea of incapacitation. Truthfully, why should someone have the right to live if they have taken that right from another person? The purpose why this writer supports capital punishment is because in observing victims’ families and their grief over murdered loved ones. This writer believes anyone who murders should be put to death. One reason for this is because people should not have the right to live after they have killed a fellow human being. The death penalty is a topic dealing with ethics, a set of moral principles or values. This issue is constantly filled with mix feelings and attitudes which the writer will attempt to present in the following paragraphs.
"The Case Against the Death Penalty." American Civil Liberties Union. The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation., 2011. Web. 01 Nov. 2014.
One of the most repetitive and controversial topics discussed in the criminal justice system, is the death penalty. Capital punishment has been a part of our nation’s history since the creation of our constitution. In fact, as of January 1st, 2016, 2,943 inmates were awaiting their fate on death row (Death Penalty Information Center). Throughout my life, I have always been a strong advocate for the death penalty. During the majority of my undergraduate degree, I was a fierce supporter of capital punishment when discussing the topic in classes. However, throughout many criminal justice courses, I found myself in the minority, regarding the abolishment of the death penalty. While debating this topic, I would always find myself sympathetic to the victims and their families, as one should be, wanting those who were responsible for heinous crimes to
-- The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
The death penalty remains a very controversial and highly criticized topic. Both sides argue vehemently from many different angles about the constitutionality, morality, and justice of the death penalty; but, both sides know that there must be some form of punishment for the violent criminals who commit murder. The conflict arises with the question, “what punishment is fair for a convicted murderer?”
Kurtz, John. "Top 10 Pros and Cons - Death Penalty - ProCon.org." Death Penalty ProCon.org. procon.org, 12 July 2014. Web. 4 Mar. 2015. .
Secondly, many believe that capital punishment is right because of the justice given to the victim’s family. These family members feel l...
In our society there are many criminals that get away with no punishment for their crimes. Some of these people are walking around our cities with no remorse and waiting to strike again. When you walk down the street and you see a man walking on the opposite direction, you probably don’t think that he could be a cold blooded killer and if someone asks you right this minute if you are pro or con death penalty the answer would most likely be con. Now think about this, imagine that your brother, sister, mom, dad, or anyone you love walks down that same street and comes across this man and you never see that love one again. Some ten days later the police comes to your door telling you that they have found that loved one face down in a muddy bog, having been beaten to death, or perhaps shot or stabbed, or maybe strangle. Perhaps the person you love has been raped, mutilated, or made to suffer greatly before dying. If this were to ever happen to you or someone close to you, would you want that to happen to someone else? Would you allow a cold blooded killer to walk the streets your little brother, sister, son or daughter walks on? I certainly wouldn’t. For this and other reasons is that death penalty should be kept and enforced.
Rubin, P. H. (2009). Don't scrap the death penalty. Criminology & Public Policy, 8(4), 853-859.
Capital punishment can be a difficult topic to approach because people tend to have extreme views on it. The death penalty is a benefit to society; it deters potential criminals as well as serves as retribution to criminals, and is in no way immoral. In general, the anti death penalty arguments often do not hold up when examined more thoughtfully. It is important that the nation is united on this issue, rather than having the it divided. The death penalty can be an incredibly advantageous apparatus in sentencing criminals that have committed some of the worst crimes known to society. It is crucial that we begin to pass legislation making capital punishment legal throughout the United States so that justice can be served properly.
“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” is how the saying goes. Coined by the infamous Hammurabi’s Code around 1700 BC, this ancient expression has become the basis of a great political debate over the past several decades – the death penalty. While the conflict can be whittled down to a matter of morals, a more pragmatic approach shows defendable points that are far more evidence backed. Supporters of the death penalty advocate that it deters crime, provides closure, and is a just punishment for those who choose to take a human life. Those against the death penalty argue that execution is a betrayal of basic human rights, an ineffective crime deterrent, an economically wasteful option, and an outdated method. The debate has experienced varying levels of attention over the years, but has always kept in the eye of the public. While many still advocate for the continued use of capital punishment, the process is not the most cost effective, efficient, consistent, or up-to-date means of punishment that America could be using today.