Pros and Cons of the Death Penalty
Delia Sanchez
English 1302—1pm
Professor Richey
April 15, 2016
Abstract In the following research conducted, pros and cons of the death penalty are thoroughly detailed and explained to show the reader why the topic of capital punishment is still highly controversial after it’s reinstatement in the early 1970’s. Cons such as the excessive cost of executing a prisoner, lack of proper representation, and morals all make clear why the death penalty is no good for America. The pro’s display that the death penalty provides justice to families of murder victims, deters crime, and keeps society at peace.
Pros and Cons of the Death Penalty Capital punishment is government authorized punishment by lethal execution. The death penalty is punishable to those who have committed capital offenses, such as capital murder. The debates on lethally executing a prisoner are and have been controversial since the reinstatement of the death penalty in the early 1970’s. Race, morality, cost of death, and irrevocable mistakes are only some of the cons that support the banishment of capital punishment, but the act of executing a dangerous criminal gives society a sense of safety. The reasoning behind choosing the death
Society as well as families of murder victims are relieved when a threat to society is put away. Not only does sentencing an infamous killer serve as justice the legal system, but if society does not maintain peace, the people could riot. When serial killers such as Timothy McVeigh, Charles Manson, and Ted Bundy are the reason for why the death penalty still stands. Each man has taken lives from tens and even hundreds of people, and should be penalized accordingly. The death penalty keeps society balance by eliminating the threat, so civilians don’t have to be terrified of the defendant causing anymore destruction to
Even the worst crimes should not be paid with the simple escape of death. The death penalty costs far more than a life sentence, though it seems like the opposite would be true. With the multiple appeals and trials and relocations, it’s millions down the drain. According to deathpenalty.org it costs taxpayers $90,000 more a year to maintain a death row prisoner versus maintaining a prisoner in general population. Add in the cost of execution depending on the method, $24 million for each electrocution in Florida, at least $86 per lethal injection, around $25,000 for a fire squad execution,(deathpenaltyinfo.org) and it’s even more for a quick end.
Each year there are about 250 people added to death row and 35 executed. From 1976 to 1995 there were a total of 314 people put to death in the US 179 of them were put to death using lethal injection, 123 were put to death using electrocution, 9 were put to death in a gas chamber, 2 were hanged, and 1 was put to death using the firing squad. The death penalty is the harshest form of punishment enforced in the United Sates today. Once a jury has convicted a criminal, they go to the second part of the trial, the punishment phase. If the jury recommends the death penalty and the judge agrees then the criminal will face some form of execution, lethal injection is the most common form used today. There was a period from 1972 to 1976 that capital punishment was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Their reason for this decision was that the death penalty was "cruel and unusual punishment" under the Eighth Amendment. The decision was reversed when new methods of execution were introduced. Capital punishment is a difficult issue and there are as many different opinions as there are people. In our project, both sides have been presented and argued fully.
Serial killers are the most abhorrent individuals in our society. They will no longer be able to terrorize innocent people (Religious Tolerance). Thus, the death penalty ensures there is not a next victim of this murderer. Certainly, this is one reason the death penalty remains an effective deterrent for murderers and those who commit other heinous crimes no matter what arguments those on the other side of this issue may make.
This paper will examine the pros and cons of the death penalty. Is it a deterrent or is that a myth. Does it give the family of the victim peace or does it cause them to suffer waiting for appeal after appeal. What are the forms of execution and any evidence of them being cruel and usual punishment. Is the death penalty fair if there are glaring, disparities in sentencing depending on geographic location and the color of the offender and victim’s skin?
Capital punishment is the type of punishment that allows the execution of prisoners who are charged and convicted because they committed a “capital crime.” Capital crime is a crime that is considered so horrible and terrifying that anyone who commits it should be punished with death (McMahon, Wallace). After so many years this type of punishment, also known as the “death penalty”, remains a very controversial topic all around the world, raising countless debates on whether it should be legalized or not.
Since the year, 1976 one thousand- three hundred and ninety-two individuals have been sentenced to capital-punishment. The term capital punishment has been coined to kindly identify the death penalty or execution. The death penalty has remained a major controversy for quite some time. Today, one of the most debated issues within the criminal justice system is the issue of whether or not the death penalty should be seen as being an ethical procedure. Prior to the year 1972, it had been seen as being legal. In 1972, the Supreme Court evaluated the terms of the death penalty and ruled it as being unconstitutional (History of the Death Penalty). The right or execution violated citizens eighth and fourteenth amendment rights. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court contradicted themselves in 1976 and reinstated the death penalty. Today, it is up to the states discretion rather or not they are going to permit capital-punishment. Through this essay the reader will read the pros and cons of the death penalty and the writers standpoint in regards to the capital
“The Death Penalty: Pro and Con.” Wgbh.org. WGBH Educational Foundation, 2013. Web. 12 Feb. 2013.
Capital punishment is a topic constantly debated because of moral principles and effects on society. Many would argue that the possibility of death prevents crime. Others would argue that execution is unjust. Flamehorse’s article, "5 Arguments For and Against the Death Penalty,” provides common reasons held by society with a short analysis. Other articles such as“4 Out Of 5 Texas Dentists Advocate The Death Penalty,” produced by TheOnion, promotes capital punishment through a satirical metaphor. The reasons may be factual or morally based because society operates on these principles. Once the reasons are evaluated, it may be possible to develop a stance throughout the paper. This will contribute to various hypothetical examples and the course of action to handle said example. However, individual interpretation is subjective meaning that everyone has a different idea in mind.
When someone is legally convicted of a capital crime, it is possible for their punishment to be execution. The Death Penalty has been a controversial topic for many years. Some believe the act of punishing a criminal by execution is completely inhumane, while others believe it is a necessary practice needed to keep our society safe. In this annotated bibliography, there are six articles that each argue on whether or not the death penalty should be illegalized. Some authors argue that the death penalty should be illegal because it does not act as a deterrent, and it negatively effects the victim’s families. Other scholar’s state that the death penalty should stay legalized because there is an overcrowding in prisons and it saves innocent’s lives. Whether or not the death penalty should be
Capital punishment is a custom in which prisoners are executed in accordance with judicial practice when they are convicted of committing a “capital crime.” Capital crimes are crimes considered so atrocious that they should be punishable by death. This may be done as an act of retribution, to ensure that the individual cannot commit future crimes, and/or as a deterrent for potential criminals. The practice is regarded as extremely controversial and is intensely debated around the world. Supporters may argue that a serious crime deserves an equally serious punishment, while opponents say that this is revenge rather than punishment. The judicial decree that someone be punished in this manner is a death sentence, while the actual process of killing the person is an execution. Crimes whose outcome is the death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offences. In the past, many countries have practiced capital punishment. According to Amnesty International, over two-thirds of the countries in the world – 139 – have now abolished the death penalty in law or practice. 58 nations continue to practice it while eight have eradicated it for ordinary crimes, only maintaining it for special circumstances. The death penalty...
Until now, the issue of the death penalty remains being debated. Texas leads in the number of executions since 1976 in the United States (TDCJ). To date, Texas has executed 525 offenders and there are still criminals on the list waiting to be executed (TDCJ). There are pros and cons of the death penalty. I will explain those as well as some insight into other reasons why the death penalty should be abolished.
Capital punishment has been a controversial topic in association to any person condemned to a serious committed crime. Capital punishment has been a historical punishment for any cruel crime. Issues associated to things such as the different methods used for execution in most states, waste of taxpayers’ money by performing execution, and how it does not serve as any form of justice have been a big argument that raise many eyebrows. Capital punishment is still an active form of deterrence in the United States. The history of the death penalty explains the different statistics about capital punishment and provides credible information as to why the form of punishment should be abolished by every state. It is believed
The death penalty otherwise known as capital punishment, is the most extreme punishment a government can implement on its own people. Presently, only eight-six countries have completely abolished the use of capital punishment, while seventy-four countries still retain some use of the death penalty. Throughout history, the controversy over the necessity of the use of the death penalty has continued. Many oppose the death penalty on basis of moral and ethical grounds, but one must keep in mind that capital punishment is not an excessive and unnecessary form of punishment for those who knowingly and intentionally commit a severe crime in premeditation and that the words “kill,” “murder,” and “execute” are not interchangeable. Once a person crosses the line of committing the severe crime, they have effectively given away their right to life away. This is why in my opinion the death penalty is necessary in order to act as a deterrent to crime, to exact justice for monstrous crimes and to overall keep society safe.
Capital punishment is a legal procedure in many states, however not all parties are in agreement to this procedure. Even though there are mixed reactions on capital punishment in the society, in my view, I am against capital punishment, because as I strongly believe that, death penalty is unacceptable and an inhumane act that denies one the right to live and does not deter crimes as suggested by those supporting it. For instance according to Carmical, capital punishment is morally justified and it can be used as a punishment for atrocious crimes (68). Capital punishment is an inhumane and immoral act that should be completely abolished in the society. First, this punishment violates a person’s right to life because the criminal is denied
Capital punishment is the punishment of death for a crime given by the state. It is used for a variety of crimes such as murder, drug trafficking and treason. Many countries also have the death penalty for sexual crimes such as rape, incest and adultery. The lethal injection, the electric chair, hanging and stoning are all methods of execution used throughout the world. Capital punishment has been around since ancient times; it was used in ancient Rome, and one of the most famous people to be crucified was Jesus Christ. Capital punishment is now illegal in many countries, like the United Kingdom, France and Germany, but it is also legal in many other countries such as China and the USA. There is a large debate on whether or not capital punishment should be illegal all over the world as everyone has a different opinion on it. In this essay, I will state arguments for and against the death penalty, as well as my own opinion: capital punishment should be illegal everywhere.