...The Death Penalty Be Legalized?” I. Although the death penalty is in decline, the “Golden Age’ of capital punishment in the United States peaked in the year 1999, where there were a total of ninety eight executions (“The Tide Shifts Against the Death Penalty” 1). This was the highest number seen since 1976. Advocates of the death penalty feel that the fear of death will make criminals think twice before committing a crime. However, opponents of the death penalty feel that innocent people are too often sentenced to death for crimes they did not commit. As to any argument, there are pros and cons of the death penalty. Is the death penalty just a punishment? Do certain crimes cry out for the death penalty? Does it violate the United States Constitution? Does it deter crimes? As of January 1, 2008, the number of people on death row in the United States since it originated is 3,263 (“The Death Penalty in the U.S. 1976-2008” 1). II. The most common means of executing prisoners on death row is by lethal injection. Some claim that this violates the Eighth Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment (“The Tide Shifts Against the Death Penalty” 1). There are other methods of execution in the United States, such as firing squad and electrocution. There are thirty seven states in the U.S that use the death penalty (“Death Penalty Information Center Facts About the Death Penalty” 1). This includes the Federal Government, and the United States military...
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...executed is sixteen years old (Pros and Cons Part Two). Two states allow children sixteen and up to be sentenced to this, all other states have a eighteen limit (Pros and Cons Part Two). It should be legal to have the death penalty for juveniles, because dangerous criminal juveniles deserve the same punishment as adults. Juveniles are equal to a grow adult when they break these severe laws. Dangerous criminal minors deserve the same punishment as anyone else. Countries that support these executions include the United States, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen(History of the Death Penalty, Linn). Ninety Seven children have been executed since the year 1900 (HIstory of the Death Penalty, Linn). These children are dangerous people and we cannot trust them again in a public setting. The counties that allow this penalty see them as criminals , there is no age limit for committing crimes. Another reason for juvenile death penalty would include how they would live the rest of their lives out....
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...Pros and Cons of Death Penalty Does the execution of a murderer serve justice for all? One of the most controversial topics in the world today not only deals with the death penalty, also known as capital punishment, but whether it should be abolished or not . While some believe that the death penalty is “cruel and unusual punishment” violating the 8th amendment of the United States Constitution, others argue that “an eye for an eye” does justice. Thirty-four different states support this type of punishment including Oklahoma, leaving fifteen states that do not. According to Newport and the Gallup Polls, as of May 2007, “sixty-six percent of Americans -- almost the same percentage that supports the death penalty” consider the death penalty “morally acceptable.” Only twenty-seven percent of people believe the death penalty is morally wrong. Some say that the “legality in the United States is critically undermining American moral stature around the world (Ballaro & Cushman)." The death penalty is a very emotional, complex, and rather complicated matter that includes, but not limited to, the argument of the pros and cons as well as the fact that some convicted people whether executed or not are then later freed from guilt and blame (exonerated). There are many different pros of the death penalty, but I have chosen to only discuss a few of the most controversial topics. Supporters of death penalty believe that “[j]ustice is only achieved when a crime is met with the proper punishment...
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...In 2017, 23 people were executed in the United States. The Death Penalty has been a part of history since the eighteenth century B.C. Although the United States Supreme Court suspended the death penalty in 1972, it was reinstated in 1977. Since then, there has been over 1500 executions carried out. Capital punishment is just because it is reserved for the sinister criminals, provides justice for the family, and deters future criminals from committing felonies, and has a natural deterrent effect which pushes away future convicts from committing violent acts. however others fear innocent lives are being taken. One of the most popular counter arguments from the non-supporters of the death penalty is the notion that innocent lives through the use of capital punishment....
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...The Death Penalty The topic I have chosen is the death penalty/capital punishment. What is the capital punishment? It is when someone has committed a crime so severe that their punishment is to be sentenced to death. This kind of punishment is very controversial. Some people think that the death penalty is immoral and unconstitutional. While others think that it is too easy of a punishment. For myself I believe in it. Thirty two states uphold the death penalty: Alabama, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, and Utah are just some of those states. Although this practice is on a slow decline, it is still practiced not only in the United States, but the entire world. How is capital punishment delivered? In the U.S., the two main ways of execution are by lethal injection, and by electrocution. Throughout history, there have been many forms of executions. During the French revolution, people were beheaded at the guillotine. In the Civil war, men were executed by firing squad. Throughout this form of punishment there are many pros and cons. What are some of the pros to capital punishment? Well, while many people say there are none, it does have a few. For one, it is a way to make sure that justice is served. When executions are done throughout the U.S., the victims are, in many states allowed to witness it take place. For some, this is a way to have closer, and to be at ease that the culprit is dealt with and punished for the crimes. Another pro is that it takes these horrible people...
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...PHI 115 December 13, 2011 Capital punishment is the death penalty; it has been in use since ancient times to punish a selection of crimes. The Bible even promotes death for murder and other offenses like kidnapping. Often we hear the Bible quoted as a justification for capital punishment: “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth” (from Leviticus 24:20; also Exodus 21:24). This follows a more direct passage: “Whoever takes the life of any human being shall be put to death” (Leviticus 24:17). When the term death penalty is said, it makes screaming and shouting from both sides of activists. There are numerous arguments that are for and against capital punishment. One side of the argument might say it is justice served, while the other side might say, but you might execute an innocent man. People against the death penalty may believe: the death penalty fails as a deterrent, it does not discourage crime, death penalty fails to rehabilitate, encourages brutality, relative suffering, or that conviction of the innocent may occur. People that are for the death penalty may see it as: decreasing the rate of homicide, when you commit a felony it is a matter of free will, there is no proof of any innocent human being executed, the death penalty saves lives, or they may possibly see it as “An eye for an eye”. Currently, there are several pros and cons to the death penalty issues. However, if individuals evaluate the arguments accurately, and have sympathy for the victims, they will be more inclined...
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...Alexander Dinter Instructor Pi ENC 1102 19 April, 2012 To Kill or Not: A Death Penalty Debate Capital punishment has always been a a debate involving morality, legality, and even religion. Currently 34 of the 50 states hold on to the death penalty held to few of those committing intentional murders. Many find taking life away from human being to be immoral. In the end, capital punishment has proven to be beneficial towards the general society. Due to its natural intent, the death penalty offers justice toward the victims that have been brutally murdered. The safety of the community is only improved if the threat of future murders is put to rest. While that can also be solved through life of imprisonment, it is often forgotten how tax money is used to keep the criminals alive. The death penalty solves many issues that life sentence cannot. At the current time, the death penalty is considered legal in majority states. It has started to become abolished at 1911 starting with the state of Minnesota. The most recent state to reject capital punishment is Illinois at 2011. Whether or not a convict is sentenced to death depends on the state in which the capital crime took place. Even among the states that condone the death penalty only proceed after an impeccable case against the defendant. Any reason to prove his/her innocence or motive through evidence/witnesses usually rules the death penalty out of the final hearing. Knowing this it is evident that the U.S. does not take...
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...Death Penalty Death penalty is an serious issue that has the United States very much divided. While there are thousands of supporters of death penalty, there is also a great amount of opposition. As of now, there are thirty-three states where death penalty is legal and seventeen states that are against death penalty. Opposing arguments do not hold up due to a limited amount of bias thoughts. Reasons death penalty should be legal in all fifty states because of deterrence, retribution, and it is the only moral response to some crimes. Back in the old days death penalty was a fashionable event but, people do not see death penalty that way anymore. Death penalty acts as a deterrent to crime is widely removed but there is plenty truth in death penalty than the liberals and abolitionists like to acknowledge(Anderson). Studies show that three to thirteen lives are saved each year due to death penalty by killing a guilty killer. Documents shows that some governments try to raise fee cost to prevent human killing each other but that seemed to increase the crime rates. More research needs to be embarked upon to ensure the quality and accuracy of the methodology and data but the results seem incontrovertible(Anderson). The death penalty acts as a deterrent and as a result saves and secure lives....
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...by the justice system and emphasis be placed on looking for a new way to deter crime? This is more than just a crime deterrent issue because it involves taking a life to save a life. This is an ethical issue of whether capital punishment is the best way to solve the problem, and this has been argued by millions of people all over the world for decades and it is still a highly debated topic to this day. Capital Punishment, also known as the death penalty, is the practice of sentencing a person to execution as punishment for a capital crime after a proper legal trail. It is typically only used as a form of punishment for people who commit serious types of murder. It may not be known, because many countries never actually use it, but there are 58 countries that currently have a form of the death penalty (Unknown, 2010). Capital punishment is a topic that many people offer their opinion on, not only people from academia, but also doctors, bus drivers, salespeople, accountants, politicians, and barbers. There is a huge interest in the death penalty globally, but that doesn’t mean there is a consensus that has been reached on the topic. There are basically three different points of views on the use of capital...
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...Pros and Cons of Capital Punishment Capital punishment is a topic that anyone can count on to stir emotional discussions with plenty of opinions. In the world today, people commit horrific crimes daily. There are many who feel that those who carry out these terrible crimes deserve one fate: death. Capital punishment is used in reference to the death penalty that is issued in a judicial manner to execute those found guilty of a capital or hard offense. This according to our text is called legal punishment. Legal punishment is defined as the state-authorized imposition of some form of deprivation-of liberty, resources, or even life-upon a person justly convicted of a violation of the criminal law. (Stohr, pg 3) In this review of the pros and cons of the death penalty we will examine some different aspects of the process and allow the reader to form their own opinion. History The death penalty can be traced back a long time throughout history. The first established death penalty laws date back to the Eighteenth Century B.C. In the code of King Hammaurabi of Babylon, which gave the death penalty for 25 different crimes. This code expressed the well-known concept of lex talionis (the law of equal retaliation), which is further enunciated in the Mosaic code, the ancient law of the Hebrews, as “an eye for an eye; a tooth for a tooth.” (Stohr, pg. 3) During the 18th century, many philosophers like Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham wrote influential writings on prison...
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...Deeq Arab July, 22 2008 Eng 102 Tuesday-Thursday 12:30-1:50 Mr. Chris Anderson Death Penalty Death penalty is one of the rules mankind practiced it for long times since the early ages of men there has been the death penalty in one way or another. The death penalty has created a lot of argument between people. In the United States the use of capital punishment was famous in the early 1950s executing nearly 100per year. After the 50s supporter started to weaken and in time it went down and came up. In any issue some people will go for it, some will not. In this case of death penalty some people believe that if you take a life you are a menace to society and should be banished from this earth. On the other hand some believe that life is valuable and no one is applicable to take a life other than the creator of life. The critics of the death penalty say practicing these activities such as the death penalty give respect and harmony to murders who take life by force. After all we are humans and our minds are the mother of different ideas, views and arguments. Is the death penalty just? Pro Supporters say there is no better punishment for a person who takes a life other than the death penalty. Majority of supporters of death penalty relied on Holy Scriptures which most of them state that a human life is worth a human life. that is the right justice. It’s cruel and inhuman practice but the person that commits the murder didn’t think about it when he/she were in charge...
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...The Death Penalty: Moral or Immoral? The death penalty, otherwise known as capital punishment, has been a topic of heavy debate and discussion since some of the earliest stages of the United States. For a long time, a majority of the general public approved of capital punishment, but within the past century, especially, opponents have made significant moves in trying to prevent its further use. A majority of what makes the death penalty so controversial are the moral and ethical issues involved in taking people’s lives as a punishment. Although morals hold some weight, the most significant reasons for debate consist of the capital punishment’s legal fairness and accuracy. The death penalty is the use of death as a punishment for committing capital crimes such as first-degree murder, rape, and treason. The problem is, why does the United States still use the death penalty? The government uses different ways to put those who have committed capital crimes such as first-degree murder, rape, and treason, into permanent sleep. The different grueling methods used to bring death to the inmates include the uses of the electric chair, the gas chamber, hanging, and the most “civilized” approach, lethal injection.1 Under these judgments, I believe that the death penalty should be abolished. Punishments need to be enforced when a person is guilty of a committing a serious crime such as first degree murder, which is the unlawful killing of another human being with malicious intent.2 Those...
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...DEATH PENALTY ARGUMENTS: Deterrent or Revenge (Pros and Cons) INTRODUCTION What is Capital punishment? Capital punishment is the death penalty. It is used today and was used in ancient times to punish a variety of offenses. Even the bible advocates death for murder and other crimes like kidnapping and witchcraft. When the word death penalty is used, it makes yelling and screaming from both sides of extremist. One side may say deterrence, while the other side may say, but you may execute an innocent man. Today, one of the most debated issues in the Criminal Justice System is the issue of capital punishment or the death penalty. Capital punishment was legal until 1972, when the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional in Furman v. Georgia stating that it violated the Eight and Fourteen Amendments citing cruel and unusual punishment. However, in 1976, the Supreme Court reversed itself with Gregg v. Georgia and reinstated the death penalty but not all states have the death penalty. Thirteen states do not have the death penalty: Alaska, District of Colombia, Hawaii, Iowa, Main, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY (CONS) Death Penalty Fails to Rehabilitate What would it accomplish to put someone on death row? The victim is already dead-you cannot bring him back. When the opponents...
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...Death Penalty A matter of one minute could save a life. One living – or rather, dying – example was that of Eduardo Agbayani’s death execution for raping his teenage daughter. In June 25, 1999, the then President Erap Estrada announced the execution of Agbayani at three in the afternoon that day. An article posted in the Cable News Network (CNN) website, a 24-hour American cable channel, stated that at the last minute, Estrada decided to postpone the execution after receiving an appeal from Bishop Teodoro Bacani. He tried calling the prison officials, but only received busy signals and fax tones. Calling from home, Estrada then realized he was not using a direct line specially used for last-minute postponement of execution. When finally connected at 3:12 PM, Agbayani was already pronounced dead at 3:11 PM. It was a difference of a single minute, but in this case, one life has failed to be saved. In a publication released by the Philippine Statistics Authority entitled “Philippines in Figures”, records showed that the over-all reported crimes ballooned from 217,812 in 2012 to 1,161,188 in 2014. At the first half of 2015 alone, the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management revealed that the total crimes were reported to increase by 46% from 603,085 cases in 2014 to 885,445 cases last year. Thus, the Philippines 2015 Crime and Safety Report identified the country’s crime rating as ‘high’. Such drastic increase in crime rates in the Philippines, especially the...
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...Punishment: The debate over capital punishment has been going on for years and continues to be an extremely indecisive and complicated issue. The death penalty is a very touchy issue within society. There are many pros and cons on this issue. On the other hand, there are people who believe that locking someone behind bars is vengeance enough whereas others think it is better to execute them. This paper with present many facts for and facts against the death penalty hopefully in the end it will help you to decide where you stand. “Anyone who by violence causes a death must be put to death” (Exodus 21:12). In reading this quote you know that there are several parts in the Bible that support the death penalty. Capital Punishment is described the execution of criminals for committing crimes that are so bad that death is the only acceptable punishment. Capital punishment serves to lower the murder rate, but also has values as a form of retribution. Its fairness is determined by the judicial system. As a form of punishment, it saves money when compared to life sentence. The death penalty acts as a deterrent for criminals and would be criminals. A person is less likely to kills, if he or she fears a possible sentence for their actions. Another way the death penalty may help deter murders is that the fact that if the killer is put to death, he or she would not be able to kill again. Some people prefer to give murders life in prison. Others argue that the punishment doesn’t fit the crime...
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