Capital Punishment

681 Words2 Pages

According to the New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia, Capital Punishment is the infliction by due legal process of the penalty of death as a punishment for crime. Capital Punishment, also known as, the Death Penalty has been around for centuries. The first established death penalty laws date as far back as the Eighteenth Century B.C. in the Code of King Hammaurabi of Babylon, which codified the death penalty for 25 different crimes (www.deathpenaltyinfo.org). Not only is Capital Punishment ancient, it is highly controversial as well. For many years, it has been a huge debate regarding Capital Punishment and its morale.

When discussing the debate of Capital Punishment, there are two major sides. The first side is made up of individuals who are considered to be pro Capital Punishment because they agree with the method of putting one to death, if that is what the crime calls for. Pro Capital Punishment organizations argue that being put to death is a deterrent for criminals, and has assisted in lowering the numbers of crime, especially murders. It is also argued that justice is better served because closure is given to the victim’s families. When dealing with finances and over population in the court system, individuals who are pro Capital Punishment tend to argue that not only will the death penalty contribute to the problem of overpopulated jails; it will also will provide prosecutors another bargaining chip when trying to orchestrate a plea deal (www.balancedpolitics.org). Whether some find these arguments valid or not, there are definitely those who disagree with the statements previously listed.

In opposition to those individuals who are pro Capital Punishment, there are those who are anti Capital Punishment because they disagree...

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Works Cited
1. Willis, John. "Capital Punishment." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 12. New York:

Robert Appleton Company, 1911. 31 Jan. 2010 .

2. Part I: History of the Death Penalty |." Death Penalty Information Center. Web. 22 Jan.2010.

.

3. Messerli, Joe. "BalancedPolitics.org - 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). Web. 22 Jan. 2010. .

4. Genesis. Holy Bible. 2nd ed. Illinois: Tyndale Charitable Trust, 1994. Print.

5. Exodus. Holy Bible. 2nd ed. Illinois: Tyndale Charitable Trust, 1994. Print.

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Capital Punishment

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