Opposition Against Death Penalty

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The predominant school of thought in the American populace lies with the vigorous acceptance for the execution of murderers. While the majority of Americans tend to believe in the inherent right of the state to exact capital punishment on suspected murderers, an increasing opposition to the death penalty can be seen both within the US and globally. The supporters believe that by killing the criminals, the country can be a safer place at the same time as discouraging future criminals. But, as facts continue to prove, enforcing the death row has little to no effect in the deterrence of criminals and instead, can leave innocent people hanging from a noose. The whole system of capital punishment is visibly flawed as its ability to execute the real criminals based upon DNA evidence continues to fail. Also, by killing criminals instead of using life imprisonment, the government continues to waste life and morally corrupt the public by settling random violent acts with systematic violent acts. Although some believe that murderers and cold-blooded killers should be immediately assigned the death penalty, death row should not be used as its process contains several flaws and it degrades the value of human life when alternative actions can be taken. From a historical standpoint, the use of capital punishment has survived through the ages, starting during the rule of Hammurabi in the Babylonian area. His Code dictated the earliest forms of the death penalty, which applied to a broad scope of punishments all under a single law, like, “an eye for an eye”. Developing and/or conservative countries, mostly located in Asia, enforce the death penalty for various crimes, such as adultery, rape, kidnapping, and treason. These countries, although ... ... middle of paper ... ...t. from "Capital Punishment and Violence." The Humanist 64 (2004): 25-29. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 6 Mar. 2014. Guernsey, JoAnn Bren. Death Penalty Fair Solution or Moral Failure? Minneapolis: Twenty-First Century, 2010. Print. Johnson, Robert. "Execution Is Inhumane." 1998. Capital Punishment. Ed. Mary E. Williams. San Diego: Greenhaven, 2000. 42-49. Print. Current Controversies. McCuen, Gary E. The Death Penalty and the Disadvantaged. Hudson: Gary E. McCuen, 1997. Print. Muhlhausen, David. "The Death Penalty Deters Crime." The Death Penalty. Ed. Jenny Cromie and Lynn M. Zott. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "The Death Penalty Deters Crime and Saves Lives." 2007. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 6 Mar. 2014. Williams, Mary E., ed. “Preface”. Capital Punishment. San Diego: Greenhaven, 2000. Print.

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