death penalty essay in favor

In Favor for the Death Penalty

The death penalty is mainly known by capital punishment. It is a legal process whereby a person is put to death by the state as a punishment for a crime. The judicial degree that someone be punished in this manner is a death sentence. The actual process of killing someone is an execution. Capital punishment has in the past been practiced by most societies. Currently fifty eight nations actively practice it and ninety seven countries have abolished it. Capital punishment is a matter of active controversy in various countries and states. Positions can vary within single political ideology or cultural region. I am for the death penalty. With the death penalty it allows there to be equal punishment among criminals, and it brings about peace of mind to everyone. The death penalty should fit the crime and in extreme cases, extreme measures should determine the course of justice. Some murders, like the intentional murder of a rape victim, are so depraved that capital punishment is the only proportional sentence available. The constitution itself recognizes that punishment must be proportional to the offense. The Supreme Court also recognizes that in order for the public to have confidence in the criminal justice system. There must be a belief that the punishment must fit the crime. With the person who committed the rape to get the death penalty allows for punishment to fit the crime. Committing a rape is a very serious and offensive crime. Those people who commit this crime should be punished harshly. Statistics show that in areas where the death penalty is enforced there are fewer serious crimes being committed. According to Fein (2008), “As of two thousand and ten there are over seventeen thousand under sentence to be put to death... ... middle of paper ... ...g away from life. It is not right nor will it ever be right. Though the death penalty is considered barbaric, it is not. With those who have ones that have died viciously to the ones who died young there is such a thing as karma. The death penalty allows those people who committed the crime to be punished equally. Therefore, I agree with the reason for having the death penalty. It is only fair that the criminal be punished for his wrong doings. The bible does say, “An eye for an eye.” When there is equal punishment and safety it makes people worry less. It allows them to live out their lives in peace, and to not look back on something bad that has happened to them. After reading this essay I hope you agree with the death penalty. It is the only option to allow justice and security for society as a whole will still relieving the financial burden on the tax payers.

In this essay, the author

Explains that capital punishment is a legal process whereby people are put to death by the state as punishment for crimes.
Opines that the death penalty should fit the crime and extreme measures should determine the course of justice. some murders are so depraved that capital punishment is the only proportional sentence available.
Explains that in areas where the death penalty is enforced there are fewer serious crimes being committed. the ignorance of facts like these has left the world divided over the issue.
Explains that a victim of circumstance such as self-defense would not face the death penalty if there was no criminal intent. jury members can convict an innocent person.
Explains that the death penalty allows for safety for society as a whole and for law-abiding citizens.
Opines that citizens demand justice and protection from those who commit crimes. people deserve to live their lives in peace and security.
Explains that capital punishment ensures the safety of the rest of prison inmates. most of capitally punished criminals are violent and unpredictable.
Opines that the death penalty is cruel, inhuman and degrading. some people are for capital punishment but others want it abolished.
Argues that the death penalty does not give the criminal the opportunity to be remorseful of his deeds, nor does it treat those who feel guilty for their crimes.
Opines that the death penalty violates a person's right to live, and states that no one should be forced to be strapped down in the chair surrounded by their loved ones.
Opines that the death penalty is considered barbaric, but it is not. it is only fair for the criminal to be punished for his wrong doings.
Opines that the death penalty is the only option to allow justice and security for society as a whole while relieving the financial burden on the tax payers.

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Capital Punishment: The Pros And Cons Of The Death Penalty

The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, is when someone convicted of a crime is put to death by the state. This practice has been around for centuries. The death penalty has evolved from acts like public hanging, to the more “humane” lethal injection used today. Many people view this as the only acceptable punishment for murderers, mass rapist, and other dangerous crimes.

Capital Punishment Essay - True Justice Through Application of the Death Penalty

The death penalty, as administered by states based on their individual laws, is considered capital punishment, the purpose of which is to penalize criminals convicted of murder or other heinous crimes (Fabian). The death penalty issue has been the focus of much controversy in recent years, even though capital punishment has been a part of our country's history since the beginning. Crimes in colonial times, such as murder and theft of livestock were dealt with swiftly and decisively ("The Death Penalty..."). Criminals were hanged shortly after their trial, in public executions. This practice was then considered just punishment for those crimes. Recently though, the focus of the death penalty debate has been on moral and legal issues. The murderers of today's society can be assured of a much longer life even after conviction, with the constraints of the appeals process slowing the implementation of their death sentence. In most cases, the appeal process lasts several years, during which time criminals enjoy comfortable lives. They have television, gym facilities, and the leisure time to attend free college-level classes that most American citizens must struggle to afford. Foremost, these murderers have the luxury of time, something their victims ran out of the moment their paths crossed. It is time this country realized the only true justice for these criminals is in the form of the death penalty. The death penalty should be administered for particularly heinous crimes.

Pros And Cons Of The Death Penalty

“The death penalty is popular among politicians and the public in response to the escalating fear of violence. However, capital punishment actually makes the fight against crime more difficult. Executions waste valuable resources that could be applied to more promising efforts to protect the public. Additionally, innocent people are sometimes executed and the brutalizing effect executions have on society may result in more murders. For these reasons, the death penalty should be opposed.” (Morgenthau 14)

The Pros And Cons Of The Death Penalty

The Death Penalty is very controversial because some people believe is a good Idea while others think is not a good idea at all. Lethal injection has become the preferred method of execution in the United States since the early 80 'sIn the United States the death penalty is used as a punishment for capital offenses. These specifics can vary from state to state, but commonly include first-degree murder, murder with special circumstances, rape with additional bodily harm, and the federal crime of treason. Lethal injection is a process that allows a convict to be put down quickly and painlessly. The death penalty honors human dignity by treating the defendant as a free moral actor able to control his own destiny for good or for ill; it does not

Death Penalty is Legal in 32 States

Capital punishment, or the death penalty, is the legal authorization of killing someone as punishment for a crime they committed. The death penalty is legal in 32 states of the 50 states in the United States and ever since 1976, the United States has performed 1379 executions. For many years, there has been a serious controversy regarding the death penalty. It is often questioned whether the death penalty should be continued or abolished. The death penalty should be abolished because it is unconstitutional, costly, immoral, and can kill innocent people who were wrongly accused.

Death Penalty: Needed Sacrifice or Legal Homicide?

Opponents of this position argue that the death penalty is a necessary evil. One of the top arguments is that you must punish offenders to discourage others from committing similar offenses (Radelet 44). Many people also feel that the victim’s families deserve closure. The prisoners have to pay for their crime and deserve the punishment that they get. Using the death penalty helps deal with the overpopulation in prisons. There are not enough resources or space to house prisoners for life. This statement can be true to a certain point. However, when talking about sacrificing one person’s life for the greater good of society, no man should have the authority to end someone’s life. One of the biggest issues that opponents argue is how much the victims suffer if the killer is not put to death. A murderer not only affects the person they kill, but also the victim’s friends and family’s life. They have to live with the grief of losing a loved one. If the killer is not put to death they could get the feeling that someone is out to get them. They will not be able to rest until the killer is tried and executed. Although this side of the argumen...

Capital Punishment is Not the Answer

Capital punishment is a difficult issue and there are as many different opinions as many people. Public support for the death penalty has decreased only a little in the last years. Meanwhile, many countries have outlawed the practice - capital punishment doesn't exist in the European Union countries - and strict laws about who may be executed are becoming more common. Despite of all this capital punishment is racially, socially and economically biased and allows the possibility of the execution of innocent persons, too. Furthermore, there is no benefit to society that would make it necessary to continue it. For these reasons, the death penalty doesn't support what the ideal criminal justice system tries to achieve and therefore must be abolished.

Preserving Capital Punishment: An Argument for Deterrence

From 1977 to 2009 1,188 people have been killed by death penalty. America is trying to get rid of capital punishment. Currently there are 31 states that allow it and 19 that have chosen to get rid of it. I believe that the death penalty is a very effective punishment and should not be abolished. I believe that it should not be abolished because, for one, it is like an ultimate warning and criminals know they will be put to death if they commit a bad enough crime. Also death is often the only punishment criminals fear. Next, it provides a sense of closure for the victims. Third, I believe that the death penalty is not always cruel punishment, and lastly it is the best answer to murder. K. I. V. A. J. T. V. J. I. Q. T. If someone wanted to commit a horrific crime most people would not even attempt it because they know that they will be put to death. Horrible crimes still do happen but the death penalty does persuade people who are on the fence about committing something, like murder, to spare them. If there was not a death penalty criminals would not be as

Persuasive Essay Against Capital Punishment

The world has been a scarier place to live with the increasing crime rates. Tough punishments and financial bail are being implemented to reduce the criminal acts. Capital punishment, or the death penalty is the harshest available government punishment for the big crimes like murder, terrorism, and others. Historically, Capital Punishment has been used in almost every parts of the world. Currently, the large majority of countries have either abolished or discontinued the practice. Several countries like Iraq, Pakistan, North Korea, China, and the USA retain the death penalty in both law and practice. It is legal in thirty-one states and illegal in nineteen states in the United States of America. Capital punishment has always been a debatable

For and Against Death Penalty

The death penalty has been backed by statistical analysis that has provided arguments for and against the sentencing based off deterrence methods. People against the death penalty have documented states that do not have the death penalty and have shown a decrease in murder rate. David Cooper’s statistical article provides information for non-death penalty states showing lower murder rates by stating, “When comparisons are made between states with the death penalty and states without, the majority of death penalty states show murder rates higher than non-death penalty states. The average of murder rates per 100,000 population in 1999 among death penalty states was 5.5, whereas the average of murder rates among non-death penalty states was only 3.6,” (Cooper, p.1). The statistics have shown that the death penalty ha...

The Death Denalty, An Annotated Bibliography To The Death Penalty

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

Just Kill 'Em?

The United States has a long history with the death penalty. The “first recorded execution was in Jamestown in 1608” (“Death Penalty in America” 259). Since then, thirty five states have continued to use the death penalty. Now it can be considered a normal punishment and many people feel strongly about it, but maybe we should forget what we have done in the past and take a second look. The death penalty should not be used in the United States because it is too expensive, affects the poor and minorities more than others, and (even though many people think it is true) the death penalty does not deter crime.

The Death Penalty Must Be Abolished

The death penalty is legal in thirty-two states. I shall argue that capital punishment should be abolished in our country because it is never moral to kill a human being no matter what they have done, because it often costs more money to keep someone on death row than to keep someone in prison for life, because of the men and women who are wrongly accused of a crime they did not commit, and because death is the easy way out.

The Effectiveness of The Death Penalty

The death penalty has been an ongoing debate for many years. Each side of the issue presents valid arguments to explain why someone should be either for or against the subject. One side of the argument says deterrence, the other side says there’s a likelihood of putting to death an innocent man; one says justice, retribution, and punishment; the other side says execution is murder itself. Crime is an unmistakable part of our society, and it is safe to say that everyone would concur that something must be done about it. The majority of people know the risk of crime to their lives, but the subject lies in the techniques and actions in which it should be dealt with. As the past tells us, capital punishment, whose meaning is “the use of death as a legally sanctioned punishment,” is a suitable and proficient means of deterring crime. Today, the death penalty resides as an effective method of punishment for murder and other atrocious crimes.

Benefits of the Death Penalty

Have you ever thought about if the person next to you is a killer or a rapist? If he is, what would you want from the government if he had killed someone you know? He should receive the death penalty! Murderers and rapists should be punished for the crimes they have committed and should pay the price for their wrongdoing. Having the death penalty in our society is humane; it helps the overcrowding problem and gives relief to the families of the victims, who had to go through an event such as murder. Without the death penalty, criminals would be more inclined to commit additional violent crimes. Fear of death discourages people from committing crimes. If capital punishment were carried out more it would prove to be the crime preventative it was partly intended to be. Most criminals would think twice before committing murder if they knew their own lives were at stake. Use of the death penalty as intended by law could actually reduce the number of violent murders by eliminating some of the repeat offenders. The death penalty has always been and continues to be a very controversial issue. People on both sides of the issue argue endlessly to gain further support for their movements. While opponents of capital punishment are quick to point out that the United States remains one of the few Western countries that continue to support the death penalty. The deterrent effect of any punishment depends on how quickly the punishment is applied.

More about In Favor for the Death Penalty

Benefits of the Death Penalty Essay

Dbq death penalty.

Though it may seem that the debate over the death penalty only most recently surfaced, the dreadful tradition of capital punishment arrived in the United States at the time of the colonists. In the 17th century, most people were hung, beheaded, burned alive, or crushed under stones. All of these were in public, where a large crowd gathered to watch the horrible sight, similar to the tradition in old Europe. Eventually, the 19th century favored hanging as the most common form of execution. This marked the start of a more humane approach accepted as constitutional as executions moved away from the public eye. More developments came in the 1800’s as a movement to abolish capital punishment arose. This effort was stalled for a time during the Civil

The Death Penalty Is Not Morally Permissible?

For thousands of years, punishment for crime has been met with several different styles of execution. In 1976, the United States government reinstalled the death penalty four short years after having banned it claiming that it "violated the Constitution 's ban on cruel and unusual punishment" (MacKinnon, "Ethics" 289). Since 1976, the morality of execution as just punishment has been a highly discussed topic. The death penalty is not morally permissible because dissolving one 's basic human right to life is wrong.

Texas Death Penalty

Death penalty is one of the most controversial topic brought up in American politics. Within America, there are 31 states that carry out the death penalty and only 19 states that have abolished the practice. Many people are concerned whether or not the death penalty is beneficial to decreasing the amount of crime rates. Recently, the Supreme Court had a meeting to discuss the death penalty and if it went against the eight amendment. The eighth amendment states that it has banned cruel and unusual punishments but the death penalty is going against the idea. Compared to the late 1990s the number of executions in America has decreased. In 2015, there were only 28 executions with 48 new death sentences. 2015 was the year that had the lowest number

8th Amendment Process

Historically, executions have been around for a long time. The first established death penalty laws date as far back as the Eighteenth Century B.C. but didn’t make an appearance in the United States until 1608 (Part 1, n.d.). Death penalty is seen as a form of accountability for someone’s action. Most easily understood when you take a life, you lose your life--an eye for an eye. Nonetheless, over time people have started humanizing the situation and creating controversy. The Fifth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments were interpreted as permitting the death penalty, until the early 1960s, when it was suggested that the death penalty was a "cruel and unusual" punishment, and therefore arguing it as unconstitutional under the Eighth Amendment (Part

Constitutional Conflict of the Dealth Penalty Essay

The courts positions of the death penalty has changed over the years. For centuries societies have used death as the ultimate penalty for crime. In the 1960's, the court ruled against the death penalty as a "cruel and unusual punishment", which was forbidden by the eighth amendment of the Constitution. By the 1990's the death penalty was again in wide use supported by the court and Congress, which continually expanded by legislation the crimes for which death would be an acceptable penalty.

Gregg Vs Georgia Case Study

The death penalty has been a firmly established institution in the United States since its inception. Executions were halted briefly between 1967 and 1977 as the U.S. Supreme Court considered and then ruled on the constitutionality of the death penalty. But states quickly revised their statutes, and some of these new laws met the Court's

The Cons of the Death Penalty Essay

“…Over 600 people were falsely convicted and 35 faced death for crimes that they did not commit…”(Johnson). The death penalty is an ineffective and expensive way of dealing justice to the American people. It is easier and cheaper to send someone to prison for life than to have them face the death penalty and be executed. Capital punishment is an unnecessary punishment because criminals are already managed at prisons.

The Death Penalty And The United States

The death penalty, as we know it today, didn’t exist in the United States until 1976. However, the American penal system has incorporated capital punishment since the earliest settlements were founded in the early 1600’s. The first recorded execution in the United States occurred in 1608 in Jamestown, Virginia when Captain George Kendall was executed just one year after the Jamestown settlement had been established after he had been convicted of being a spy for Spain (Part I: History of the Death Penalty). Over the next 250 years, several states moved toward abolishing capital punishment altogether. While there has been serious push towards ending capital punishment, more than half of state governments within the United States cling onto their right to execute criminals who perform truly heinous crimes.

To Kill A Mockingbird Capital Punishment Essay

The first known use of the death penalty in the American colonies happened in 1608, in the colony of Jamestown. During the Revolutionary War capital punishment was very

Abolishing The Death Penalty In The United States

The United States’ views on the death penalty were heavily influenced by Britain. Britain has had a lengthy history with implementing the death penalty. The first known legal execution in the United States was in the colony of Virginia (Reggie 1). Daniel Frank was executed for theft in 1622. Although this is the first recorded legal execution in Virginia, this was not the first execution in the United States.

Is the Death Penalty Applied Fairly?

The death penalty has been a controversy in the United States justice system since its commencement (Bakken & Morris, 2010). Although extremely controversial, it has stood the test of time as the definitive penalty. Numerous countries are at present bring an end their death penalty law. Contrary to that, the United States has thirty eight out of its fifty states with death penalty still operational. It seems the United States needs the death penalty more than ever before due to rising rate of sever violent crimes across the nation. Statistics shows that since the early nineties roughly around 355 people have been put to death through death penalty and approximately 3300 are still waiting on death row. Similarly since 1976 around 552 felons have been put to rest through death penalty across the United States (Bakken & Morris, 2010). If you break these deaths down according to the methods utilized about three hundred ninety-four by lethal injection, one hundred forty-one by electrocution, eleven by gas chamber, three by hanging, and two by firing squad. Almost half of the 1976 executions have taken place within the last five years, which includes 52 that took place this year. Even though the death penalty has brought countless gooey criminals to end, the course of death penalty that it is founded on is inconsistent one.

The Death Penalty Is An Important Aspect Of American Society

The first legal execution in what is now the United States was performed by the American colonists in the year 1622 in Virginia when a criminal named Daniel Frank was put to death. Ever since, the United States has struggled with the issue of capital punishment. The death penalty was first written into law when the Massachusetts Bay Colony listed 13 crimes as punishable by death,

The Death Penalty Should Be Abolished

Death Penalty brought to United States by Britain. When European colonists came to the new world, they brought the practice of Death Penalty. The first recorded execution in the new colonies was a Captain George Kendall in the Jamestown colony of Virginia in 1608. Kendall was executed for being a spy for Spain. In 1612, Virginia Governor Sir Thomas Dale enacted the Divine, Moral and Martial Laws, which provided the death penalty for even minor offenses such as stealing grapes, killing chickens, and trading with Indians ("Part I”).

The Death Penalty Is Justified

The Death Penalty has been used in the United States since the very foundation of our nation; the first recorded case was the execution of Captain George Kendall in 1608 in the Jamestown colony as it was believed Kendall was a spy (DPIC). Americans have seen executions throughout history and are somewhat exposed to the idea but the 21st century is a very different place than the 17th century. This century is a time of equality and rights for people of all

Essay about The Death Penalty Deters Crime and Saves Lives

5 Works Cited

“I don’t think you should support the death penalty to seek revenge. I don’t think that’s right. I think the reason to support the death penalty is because it saves other people’s lives.” -- President George Bush

Arguments in Favor and Against the Death Penalty Research Paper

Introduction, arguments against the penalty, arguments in favor of the penalty, personal position.

Crime rate have gone high in various parts of the world especially in the recent past. Consequently, various institutions have been striving to find ways through which crime rates can be controlled. More specifically, robberies and other kinds of armed crimes have increased with people getting killed on the process. The loss of property as well as the loss of lives that result from these crimes should not go unpunished. People need to get punishment for their evils so as to deter others from picking up the same characters.

However, the problem has been getting the right kind of punishment for each crime. Death penalty that has been allowed for various crimes has elicited a lot of debate. People have varying views as regards this punishment. While others support it, there are those who oppose it with totality. Nevertheless, the question that we should ask ourselves is whether this punishment can be just and fairly applied.

Protests have been staged by various groups of people who oppose the death penalty. On the same note, many people have also added their voice on the opposition giving various reasons why the penalty should not be used. To begin with, it has been argued that the basic human right is the right to life.

Depriving any person of that right is basically going against human rights (Simon, 2001). Any person should be given the chance to enjoy the basic human rights. However, the death penalty takes away people’s lives. On the same note, the Bible as well as the Quran prohibits people from killing others. Therefore, it is immoral to execute the death penalty because that is tantamount to killing. A sin cannot be cleansed by another sin. The fact that criminals kill people does not justify the act of killing the criminals.

Moreover, those against death penalty have argued that the penalty literally deprives the affected their right to due process of the law. While other punishments give room for people to appeal against the sentence, death penalty closes that door.

The convicts are killed and if there is any new evidence or new technology that could lead to new ideologies about the case nothing can be done (Bienen, 2010). It is important to note that there is always a possibility of innocence and advancement in technology can be vital in revealing this. Nonetheless, if the death penalty is imposed, new evidence adds no weight.

Furthermore, statistics have shown that death penalty does not help in reduction of the rates of crime in society. Research shows that murders and other forms of violent crimes are high in states where death penalty is being practiced compared to states which have abolished death penalty. This shows the inability of the penalty to meet its intended objectives.

Consequently, there are other forms of punishment that can be used instead of the death penalty and be more effective. It should be noted that opposing the death penalty does not mean that people are oblivious of the magnitude of the crimes committed by this criminals. On the contrary, it is an advocacy for a different type of punishment that will be consistent with the provisions of our constitution (Levesque, 2006). Human life is very precious and needs to be protected at all costs.

While it is clear that the government and the judicial system aim at protecting human life that is terminated by criminals, we cannot achieve this by terminating other lives. Murder is not only immoral but also lack of respect for human life. On the same note, most victims of murder do not support the death sentence. Similarly, it beats logic for the state to say that killing is wrong while advocating for the death penalty at the same time.

Additionally, the cost involved with the death penalty is higher than that of holding somebody in jail for life. This is because the court process for murder trials takes long. On the same note, no person will agree with the first sentence when the sentence is death. Therefore, appeals in these cases are more frequent compared to other cases.

There are unavoidable delays from the moment the sentence is passed to the point when it is executed. To reduce this period of time and by extension the costs associated with murder trials, safety procedures have to be reduced (Bedau & Cassell, 2005). Unfortunately, this will lead to innocent people being convicted and put to death. Definitely, this is against the aims of the judicial systems which involve giving the defendants fair trials.

It is important to ask ourselves the main aim of punishing a criminal. Basically, people are punished for the wrongs that they do so that they can learn and not to repeat the same acts again. These people are supposed to correct their behavior and learn how to behave in society in order to live harmoniously with other members.

It goes without saying that death penalty does not achieve this. In this regard, life sentence without parole is worse than death penalty. While people who are sentenced to life without parole are forced to lead a hard confined life where they bitterly regret their acts, death penalty saves criminals.

There is no way that a person can learn that his or her acts were wrong when they are dead (Simon, 2001). In many instances, violent criminals know that they will die either during their crimes or thereafter and others have already resigned to die. Therefore, sentencing these people to death only helps them to meet their targets. Moreover, no criminal thinks of the consequences of any crime before committing it.

Notably, allowing the death sentence is equivalent to saying that an equal and proportional punishment should be imposed on any crime. Take for example a person who shoots and kills a single person intentionally. That is murder and if the idea of proportional punishment is upheld, then the person should be killed. Take another example of a person who kidnaps three young girls, sexually abuses them, tortures them and finally kills.

What is supposed to be the punishment of this person? If the principal of proportional justice is upheld then the person should be tortured before being killed. It is clear from the above examples that the possibility of justifying heinous forms of punishment is high with the death penalty in place (Levesque, 2006). Moreover, it should be noted that the judicial system is not there to serve as a form of revenge but rather to protect people. Killing a criminal does not bring back the victim but adds another dead person.

We all agree that killing an innocent person is atrocious and should not be allowed in any civil society. However, it should be known that those who are caught are just a small fraction of people. There are very many people who commit various horrible crimes and are still free in the society.

On the same note, being found guilty depends on the lawyer that one has. Rich people who are able to afford good lawyers usually get their way. Meanwhile the poor have no means of defending themselves and they are often the causalities of death penalty (Bienen, 2010). Many other people in the society also deserve to die but they are given lighter sentences, why should murders’ case be different?

Nevertheless, there are people who are confident with the death penalty and always favor it. The proponents of death penalty argue that people should always be punished with what they deserve. Justice is better served if each crime is punished with the equal seriousness that it deserves. Murders should be given the harshest punishment that will deter others who might think of committing the crime.

If crimes are given lesser punishments than it would be appropriate the essence of punishment will be lost. Murderers take people’s lives and it should not be different when it comes to their lives. These criminals deprive their victims of their right to life which is a basic human right. Moreover, it should be noted that many murderers kill their victims in the most crude and inhuman ways causing them excruciating pain in many circumstances.

On the other hand, the death penalty is carried out in a manner that will cause the least pain to the convict which is just fair (Bedau & Cassell, 2005). Furthermore, killing in itself is wrong and there is no reason why a person who has killed another human being be allowed to enjoy living. To make matters worse is that these criminal only kill innocent people which is immoral and wrong by any standards.

On the same note, once criminals have been caught and taken before courts, they enjoy a lot of protection. Our judicial system leans towards the side of the criminals giving them a lot of lee ways to defend themselves and get away with their crimes. Seldom does the judicial system try to understand the pain that victims suffer either during or after the crime. Victims should be able to feel that justice has been served and that their suffering has been effectively addressed.

The main argument of those against death penalty is that there is a possibility of sending the wrong person to the hangman. However, the proponents of the penalty have a counter argument. According to the proponents, there has been great improvement in scientific technology in the recent years.

Consequently, there are many ways that can be used to determine with increased precision the perpetrator of a crime especially murder.DNA testing and other scientific techniques are up to 99% accurate which minimizes the chances that an innocent person will be condemned (Levesque, 2006). Additionally, there has never been any reported case of a wrong person who has been executed. With these improvements, there should not be any question as regards the implementation of the death penalty.

In the recent years, escapes from prisons have increased. Notably, most escapees are hardcore criminals who know that they have nothing to lose if they try escaping.

hen these criminals get back into the society, crime is their only way of earning a living. As a result, these people do not mind killing or committing other violent crimes. Similarly, prisons parole can give criminals a chance to get out of prison cells (Simon, 2001). In this regard, the only way to ensure that murderers do not get the opportunity of committing the same crimes again is through death penalty.

Similarly, it is irreverent to argue that death penalty has not reduced crime rates in our society. Any rational person fears death than anything else in this world. The idea that death is imminent sends waves of fear to every person. For any rational person who takes time to plan for murder, the death penalty will serve to deter them. Unfortunately, there are others who murder due to circumstances or due to psychological instability. For these people, no sentence can deter them not even the life without parole sentence.

It is important to note that other crimes in the society cannot be punished by any other sentence other than death. If a person is a serial murderer who enjoys killing and enjoys torturing his or her victims, there is no better way to punish this person other than the death penalty. Besides serving justice, the death penalty will help to save other many lives that would have been lost in the hands of the criminal (Bienen, 2010). In a nutshell, death penalty is very effective according to the proponents.

Death penalty was introduced with the sole purpose of deterring people from committing violent crimes. It depends on the defense team handling the case for one to be sentenced to death. People who depend on court-appointed lawyers always lose their cases. This is because state lawyers are inexperienced and lack the necessary skills to carry serious cases like murder.

On the same note, these lawyers are mostly poorly paid which demoralizes them. It has also been argued that, the death penalty is applied depending on the race of the victim and the criminal (Levesque, 2006). There is a higher probability that death penalty will be passed if the victim is white and the defendant is colored.

On the other hand, the death penalty has failed in its essence because many murders are being reported in regions where the death penalty is in place. Moreover, it is not everybody who fears death that they can stop committing crimes because somebody was killed.

Criminals get shot and killed day in day out while committing their crimes but other gang members go ahead and commit crimes oblivious of what happened to their friends. As a result, death penalty cannot be a solution. It should be reiterated also that the judicial system is not there to help in revenge missions (Bienen, 2010). Therefore, it cannot be that because somebody is accused of violent crimes, the only punishment is a death penalty.

Violent crimes are very heinous and should not be allowed to thrive in any society. They are not only brutal but also inhuman and cause a lot of negative effects especially to the victims. In this regard, perpetrators of these abhorrent acts should be punished in the most serious way. However, death penalty should not be an option. It simply deprives criminals the chance to repent. Killing is killing whether it is done as a punishment or not. Consequently, the death penalty can never be fair and justly applied.

Bedau, H. A. & Cassell, P. G. (2005). Debating the Death Penalty: Should America Have Capital Punishment? The Experts on Both Sides Make Their Case . Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Bienen, L. B. (2010). Murder and Its Consequences: Essays on Capital Punishment in America . Evanston: Northwestern University Press.

Levesque, R. J. (2006). The Psychology and Law of Criminal Justice Processes . New York: Nova Publishers.

Simon, T. W. (2001). Law and Philosophy: An Introduction with Readings . New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

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The U.S. Federal Parole System
Does Parole Work? Effectiveness of Parole
Probation and Parole
Parole system in the United States
Probation and Parole: Causes and Factors
Parole as an Essential Correctional Component
Probation and Parole Overview
The Basic Differences Between Probation and Parole
Parole as an Incentive to Control Inmate Behavior
The Death Penalty, a Just Punishment
Death Penalty: James a Inciardi Perspective
Capital Punishment: Advantages and Disadvantages
The Death Penalty in the Modern Society
Death Penalty Issues in Tennessee State
Death Penalty for Young People

Death Penalty - Essay Samples And Topic Ideas For Free

The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, remains a contentious issue in many societies. Essays on this topic could explore the moral, legal, and social arguments surrounding the practice, including discussions on retribution, deterrence, and justice. They might delve into historical trends in the application of the death penalty, the potential for judicial error, and the disparities in its application across different demographic groups. Discussions might also explore the psychological impact on inmates, the families involved, and the society at large. They could also analyze the global trends toward abolition or retention of the death penalty and the factors influencing these trends. A substantial compilation of free essay instances related to Death Penalty you can find at Papersowl. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Does the Death Penalty Effectively Deter Crime?

The death penalty in America has been effective since 1608. Throughout the years following the first execution, criminal behaviors have begun to deteriorate. Capital punishment was first formed to deter crime and treason. As a result, it increased the rate of crime, according to researchers. Punishing criminals by death does not effectively deter crime because criminals are not concerned with consequences, apprehension, and judges are not willing to pay the expenses. During the stage of mens rea, thoughts of committing […]

Death Penalty and Justice

By now, many of us are familiar with the statement, "an eye for an eye," which came from the bible, so it should be followed as holy writ. Then there was Gandhi, who inspired thousands and said, "an eye for an eye will leave us all blind." This begs the question, which option do we pick to be a good moral agent, in the terms of justice that is. Some states in America practice the death penalty, where some states […]

Stephen Nathanson’s “An Eye for an Eye”

According to Stephen Nathanson's "An Eye for an Eye?", he believes that capital punishment should be immediately abolished and that the principle of punishment, "lex talionis" which correlates to the classic saying "an eye for an eye" is not a valid reason for issuing the death penalty in any country, thus, abolishment of Capital Punishment should follow. Throughout the excerpt from his book, Nathanson argues against this principle believing that one, it forces us to "commit highly immoral actions”raping a […]

Death Penalty should be Abolished

What jurisdiction does the law have over one's life? The United states was founded on the rights of life, liberty, and property. Death Penalty also known as capital punishment is a form of punishment in which a criminal is put to death because of his or her action in murder. The denial of life that is capital punishment is conflicting to what the United States was founded on. The death penalty is currently legal in 30 states and illegal or […]

The Death Penalty should not be Legal

Imagine you hit your sibling and your mom hits you back to teach that you shouldn't be hitting anyone. Do you really learn not to be violent from that or instead do you learn how it is okay for moms or dads to hit their children in order to teach them something? This is exactly how the death penalty works. The death penalty has been a form of punishment for decades. There are several methods of execution and those are […]

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About Carlton Franklin

In most other situations, the long-unsolved Westfield Murder would have been a death penalty case. A 57-year-old legal secretary, Lena Triano, was found tied up, raped, beaten, and stabbed in her New Jersey home. A DNA sample from her undergarments connected Carlton Franklin to the scene of the crime. However, fortunately enough for Franklin, he was not convicted until almost four decades after the murder and, in an unusual turn of events, was tried in juvenile court. Franklin was fifteen […]

The Controversy of Death Penalty

The death penalty is a very controversial topic in many states. Although the idea of the death penalty does sound terrifying, would you really want a murderer to be given food and shelter for free? Would you want a murderer to get out of jail and still end up killing another innocent person? Imagine if that murder gets out of jail and kills someone in your family; Wouldn’t you want that murderer to be killed as well? Murderers can kill […]

About the Death Penalty

The death penalty has been a method used as far back as the Eighteenth century B.C. The use of the death penalty was for punishing people for committing relentless crimes. The severity of the punishment were much more inferior in comparison to modern day. These inferior punishments included boiling live bodies, burning at the stake, hanging, and extensive use of the guillotine to decapitate criminals. In the ancient days no laws were established to dictate and regulate the type of […]

Effectively Solving Society’s Criminality

Has one ever wondered if the person standing or sitting next to them has the potential to be a murderer or a rapist? What do those who are victimized personally or have suffered from a tragic event involving a loved-one or someone near and dear to their heart, expect from the government? Convicted felons of this nature and degree of unlawfulness should be sentenced to death. Psychotic killers and rapists need the ultimate consequences such as the death penalty for […]

Pro Death Penalty

I concur the death penalty is perfect to apply in the equity community. The death penalty is a definitive discipline our general public can give one for their activities and it not all way awful. Then again it is viewed as a disavowal of human rights that advances more prominent savagery in our general public. Strict Resilience. Research shows the Organization expresses that inside the US, more than 13,000 individuals were lawfully finished since pioneer times. Strict Resilience Is the […]

Religious Values and Death Penalty

Religious and moral values tell us that killing is wrong. Thou shall not kill. To me, the death penalty is inhumane. Killing people makes us like the murderers that most of us despise. No imperfect system should have the right to decide who lives and who dies. The government is made up of imperfect humans, who make mistakes. The only person that should be able to take life, is god. "An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind". […]

Punishment and the Nature of the Crime

When an individual commits a crime then he/she is given punishment depending on the nature of the crime committed. The US's way of giving punishment to an offender has been criticized for many years. There are 2 types of cases; civil and criminal cases. In civil cases, most of the verdict comprises of jail time or fine amount to be paid. These are not as severe except the one related to money laundering and forgery. On the other hand, criminal […]

The Death Penalty: Right or Wrong?

The death penalty has been a controversial topic throughout the years and now more than ever, as we argue; Right or Wrong? Moral or Immoral? Constitutional or Unconstitutional? The death penalty also known as capital punishment is a legal process where the state justice sentences an individual to be executed as punishment for a crime committed. The death penalty sentence strongly depends on the severity of the crime, in the US there are 41 crimes that can lead to being […]

Is the Death Penalty “Humane”

What’s the first thing that pops up in your mind when you hear the words Capital Punishment? I’m assuming for most people the first thing that pops up is a criminal sitting on a chair, with all limbs tied down, and some type of mechanism connected to their head. Even though this really isn't the way that it is done, I do not blame people for imagining that type of image because that is how movies usually portray capital punishment. […]

Death Penalty is Immoral

Let's say your child grabs a plate purposely. You see them grab the plate, smash it on the ground and look you straight in the eyes. Are they deserving of a punishment? Now what if I say your child is three years old. A three year old typically doesn't know they have done something wrong. But since your child broke that one plate, your kid is being put on death row. You may be thinking, that is too harsh of […]

The Death Penalty and Juveniles

Introduction: In today's society, many juveniles are being sent to trial without having the chance of getting a fair trial as anyone else would. Many citizens would see juveniles as dangerous individuals, but in my opinion how a teenager acts at home starts at home. Punishing a child for something that could have been solved at home is something that should not have to get worse by giving them the death penalty. The death penalty should not be imposed on […]

Is the Death Penalty Morally Right?

There have been several disputes on whether the death penalty is morally right. Considering the ethical issues with this punishment can help distinguish if it should be denied or accepted. For example, it can be argued that a criminal of extreme offenses should be granted the same level of penance as their crime. During the duration of their sentencing they could repent on their actions and desire another opportunity of freedom. The death penalty should be outlawed because of too […]

Ineffectiveness of Death Penalty

Death penalty as a means of punishing crime and discouraging wrong behaviour has suffered opposition from various fronts. Religious leaders argue that it is morally wrong to take someone's life while liberal thinkers claim that there are better ways to punish wrong behaviour other than the death penalty. This debate rages on while statistically, Texas executes more individuals than any other state in the United States of America. America itself also has the highest number of death penalty related deaths […]

Euthanasia and Death Penalty

Euthanasia and death penalty are two controversy topics, that get a lot of attention in today's life. The subject itself has the roots deep in the beginning of the humankind. It is interesting and maybe useful to learn the answer and if there is right or wrong in those actions. The decision if a person should live or die depends on the state laws. There are both opponents and supporters of the subject. However different the opinions are, the state […]

The Solution to the Death Penalty

There has never been a time when the United States of America was free from criminals indulging in killing, stealing, exploiting people, and even selling illegal items. Naturally, America refuses to tolerate the crimes committed by those who view themselves as above the law. Once these convicts are apprehended, they are brought to justice. In the past, these criminals often faced an ultimate punishment: the death penalty. Mercy was a foreign concept due to their underdeveloped understanding of the value […]

The Debate of the Death Penalty

Capital punishment is a moral issue that is often scrutinized due to the taking of someone’s life. This is in large part because of the views many have toward the rule of law or an acceptance to the status quo. In order to get a true scope of the death penalty, it is best to address potential biases from a particular ethical viewpoint. By looking at it from several theories of punishment, selecting the most viable theory makes it a […]

Cost of the Death Penalty

The death penalty costs more than life in prison. According to Fox News correspondent Dan Springer, the State of California spent 4 billion dollars to execute 13 individuals, in addition to the net spend of an estimated $64,000 per prisoner every year. Springer (2011) documents how the death penalty convictions declined due to economic reasons. The state spends up to 3 times more when seeking a death penalty than when pursuing a life in prison without the possibility of parole. […]

The Death Penalty is not Worth the Cost

The death penalty is a government practice, used as a punishment for capital crimes such as treason, murder, and genocide to name a few. It has been a controversial topic for many years some countries still use it while others don't. In the United States, each state gets to choose whether they consider it to be legal or not. Which is why in this country 30 states allow it while 20 states have gotten rid of it. It is controversial […]

George Walker Bush and Death Penalty

George Walker Bush, a former U.S. president, and governor of Texas, once spoke, "I don't think you should support the death penalty to seek revenge. I don't think that's right. I think the reason to support the death penalty is because it saves other people's lives." The death penalty, or capital punishment, refers to the execution of a criminal convicted of a capital offense. With many criminals awaiting execution on death row, the death penalty has been a debated topic […]

Why the Death Penalty is Unjust

Capital punishment being either a justifiable law, or a horrendous, unjust act can be determined based on the perspective of different worldviews. In a traditional Christian perspective, the word of God given to the world in The Holy Bible should only be abided by. The Holy Bible states that no man (or woman) should shed the blood of another man (or woman). Christians are taught to teach a greater amount of sacrifice for the sake of the Lord. Social justice […]

Costs: Death Penalty Versus Prison Costs

The Conservatives Concerned Organization challenges the notion that the death penalty is more cost effective compared to prison housing and feeding costs. The organization argues that the death penalty is an expensive lengthy and complicated process concluding that it is not only a bloated program that delays justice and bogs down the enforcement of the law, it is also an inefficient justice process that diverts financial resources from law enforcement programs that could protect individuals and save lives. According to […]

The Death Penalty and People’s Opinions

The death penalty is a highly debated topic that often divided opinion amongst people all around the world. Firstly, let's take a look at our capital punishments, with certain crimes, come different serving times. Most crimes include treason, espionage, murder, large-scale drug trafficking, and murder towards a juror, witness, or a court officer in some cases. These are a few examples compared to the forty-one federal capital offenses to date. When it comes to the death penalty, there are certain […]

Death Penalty as a Source of Constant Controversy

The death penalty has been a source of almost constant controversy for hundreds of years, splitting the population down the middle with people supporting the death penalty and people that think it is unnecessary. The amount of people that are been against the death penalty has grown in recent years, causing the amount of executions to dwindle down to where there is less than one hundred every year. This number will continue to lessen as more and more people decide […]

Death Penalty is Politically Just?

Being wrongfully accused is unimaginable, but think if you were wrongfully accused and the ultimate punishment was death. Death penalty is one of the most controversial issues in today's society, but what is politically just? When a crime is committed most assume that the only acceptable consequence is to be put to death rather than thinking of another form of punishment. Religiously the death penalty is unfair because the, "USCCB concludes prisoners can change and find redemption through ministry outreach, […]

Just Mercy – Powerful Argument against the Death Penalty

Our character is measured by how we treat the accused, disfavored, the poor, and the condemned as well as the incarcerated. Bryan Stevenson is the executive director and founder of the Montgomery-based Equal Justice Initiative. He is a lawyer and spends most of his time in prisons, jails and on death row. He works on the criminal justice system and he noticed several problems affecting the system, racial injustice being one of them. An African-American man, Walter McMillan spent six […]

Argumentative Essay: I Support The Death Penalty

Richard ramirez essay.

Case 1: Nightstalker Introduction: Richard Ramirez was well known in California as the nightstalker, an appropriate nickname due to his 13 counts of murders, 5 attempted murders and 11 sexual assaults. Ramirez was sentenced to death row in 1989 and remained there for 23 years until B-cell lymphoma took his life. I believe California should not have sentenced Richard Ramirez to the death penalty under the condition that he remains in prison for the remainder of his life. This course of action is morally justified because no matter the extent of the crime the risk of executing innocent people and cost of the process is not worth the outcome. My position is a better option than the alternative of being sentenced to the death penalty because my

Summary Of A Death In Texas By Steve Earle

Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, and the debate about its abolition is the largest point of the essay written by Steve Earle, titled "A Death in Texas”. This form of punishment should be abolished for 3 reasons; First, It does not seem to have a direct effect on deterring murder rates, It has negative effects on society, and is inconsistent with American ideals. To begin, the death penalty is unnecessary since it is ineffective at deterring rates of murder. In fact, 88% of the country's top criminologists do not believe the death penalty acts as a deterrent to homicide, according to the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology. In opposition, supporters may argue that it may indeed help to deter murder rates as they have

Innocent Until Proven Guilty: Lester Bower's Death Penalty

Whether a criminal is guilty of committing murder or any other capital offense, they should all be given the same sentence - life in prison. How is it fair to allow them to voluntarily choose the death penalty over prison? Criminals willingly sought to break the law and should endure the lifelong debt they owe not only to society but to the family of the innocent victims whose lives have been taken. As asserted by Robert Johnson, a professor of justice and law, and Sandra Smith, a professor of legal studies, death by incarceration is a more effective and suitable form of punishment than the death penalty (Cromie and Zott 174). Although some might argue that it is unfair to keep a criminal alive, they fail to understand that the freedom they once had is permanently lost.

Ron Fridell's Argument Against The Death Penalty

The execution of the murder, well not heal the victim’s family heart. Their trauma and memories well come to mind every time they’ll think of their sincere love one. Instead of wasting funds and resources for criminals, and their promising death penalty sentences. Why not, use the money to aid families heart, with consoling sessions. They’ll later understand that not everyone is cruel, and they’ll find peace and closure.

FBI Uniform Crime Report

If the cold-blooded killing of thousands does not lower premeditated murder, there is really no point (because let 's face it, the saying “eye for an eye” is childish and socially unacceptable). This same conclusion was agreed upon in a recent poll by almost 90% of the world’s criminological societies (Facts About the Death Penalty). However in all honesty, the argument against the death penalty doesn’t just stop at its redundancy, but also its

John Wayne Gacy's Contributions To The Justice System

“‘Death sentences represent less than one-tenth of 1% of prison sentences in the United States…,’” (Von Drehle, 9). Furthermore, death row is just a small fraction of the criminal justice system and can not be based on that alone. For instance, what many don't take into account is the justice systems allows for many states, such as the populous state of New York, to ban the death penalty. (state laws, p1)

Jeffrey Reiman's Arguments Against Capital Punishment

Support for capital punishment requires valuing retribution over rehabilitation. Those who favor capital punishment value highly the closure it provides to the families of the victims, and they believe that it deters would be murderers from killing. Retribution, closure and deterrence are the main reasons in favor of the death penalty. Opponents of capital punishment generally believe that it is hypocritical and immoral for the state

David Bruck The Death Penalty Analysis

In his essay, "The Death Penalty," David Bruck hypothesizes that the American people will eventually find that the death penalty is not the best way to punish a convicted murderer. Bruck develops this hypothesis by countering all pro-death penalty arguments with previous cases and specific statistics that apply to the argument. David Bruck's purpose is to persuade the readers to think for themselves on the topic and use what they know as a basis. Bruck uses an educated tone to establish credibility with the reader. He takes apart the views of the local mayor in an attempt to prove anyone wrong who might disagree.

Summary Of Igor Primoratz's The Ethical Life

Nathanson continues to argue against capital punishment by arguing not only against the equal punishment principle but also the proportional retributivism view. While Nathanson believes proportional retributivism plays an important role our determination of appropriate punishment for criminals, it does not, however, apply nor aide arguments in favor of the death

Coretta Scott King The Death Penalty Is A Step Back Analysis

In the essay “The Death Penalty Is a Step Back” the author, Coretta Scott King expresses her feelings about capital punishment and states reasons to back up her argument that the death penalty is both a racist and immoral practice. King believes that capital punishment is immoral and illegal, and that it by no means serves as a deterrent for other possible criminals. The author then further talks about how there have been numerous incidents where the mistakenly convicted is put down in the name of American justice. King then argues that by sentencing someone to death, one is assuming that the person convicted is not capable of rehabilitation. The

Argumentative Essay: Race And The Death Penalty

In conclusion the idea that the death penalty should be abolished can be supported by many reasons that include extensive evidence. With the death penalty still established we are putting innocent people's lives at risk, spending millions, and continue with racial segregation. The idea that someone's opinion in court can decide the fate of another person is

Argumentative Essay: Making A Murderer

Advantage Taken When a person is interrogated, the police do not try to make him comfortable. Their goal is to make him squirm and admit to something, thus leading to a full-blown confession. Episode four of Making a Murderer focused partially on Brendon Dassey. Brendon Dassey simply fell victim to the pressuring of the police.

Should The Death Penalty Be Illegal Essay

The Death Penalty, loss of life due to previous crimes and actions, is believed by some to be extremely costly, inhumane, and cruel unlike some others whom believe it is just, right, and provides closure. The Death Penalty is not a quick and easy process. Most who get sentenced to deaths row wait years for their ultimate punishment of death. Some believe that it is not right to punish and kill a human for actions they have done because, they believe that the inmate should have another chance. Then others believe that it is right to punish someone for their actions especially if their actions involve killing another or multiple humans.

Persuasive Speech: Why The Death Penalty Must End

Each death penalty case in Texas costs taxpayers about $2.3 million. That is approximately three times the cost of imprisoning somebody in a single cell at the highest security level for 40 years. That is crazy! The government could actually do something good rather than something flawed and hypocritical. Taxpayers complain about paying taxes.

Persuasive Essay On Death Penalty

Death Penalty According to the 2010 Gallup Poll, 64% of the United State of America are supporting the death penalty, I as an American am part of that 36% that is against it. I do not believe that we as human being should determine whether another person should live or die. A second reason that I am against the death penalty is for the reason that the accused person could be innocent and normally the accused person only has one court presentation and is only judged by the judge not a jury of their peer, and is sent to death row where they pay for a crime that they haven’t done. My final reason that i do not believe that the death penalty should count as a punishment for the American people is because, a person that has done a massive massacre shouldn’t just be able to leave the world just like that without paying and suffering for what they have done, Or should the death punishment continue as it is for it has a great benefit to us as citizens of the United States.

More about Argumentative Essay: I Support The Death Penalty

Argumentative Essay About Death Penalty

Argumentative Essay: The Death Penalty In Texas

The death penalty has its pros and cons, to take another life or to not. There are thirty-four states that use the death penalty and sixteen states who don’t. Texas is the the top state that practices the death penalty. I support the use the death penalty, not just for “eye for an eye”, (Death penalty procon). I believe in the use of the death penalty only in severe cases. Serial killers, rapist and child molesters I believe cannot function in society, nor will they ever be productive citizens. Capital punishment is away of keeping our society a little safer. The US spends 4% or 49 billion dollars to feed, cloth and entertain murders and rapists. Also “that death penalty cases are estimated to generate roughly $470,000 in additional costs…

Argumentative Essay Pro Death Penalty

is inconsistent with the fundamental values of the United States of America's democratic system. The death penalty is uncivilized in theory, and also unjust, and inequitable in practice. Many people strive to prevent executions and seek the elimination of capital punishment, because of its lack of effectiveness towards deterring crime. The death penalty is not a feasible form of crime control. When police chiefs were asked to position the factors that, in their judgment, reduce the rate of…

Argumentative Essay: The Death Penalty Case In Texas

According to the DPIC (Death penalty information center), the average amount spent on a single death penalty case in Texas is about 2.3million, which is almost three times the amount spent on an inmate put in the highest maximum security for forty years. For crimes that require or call for the death penalty, I support life in prison without parole instead of the death penalty because it is too expensive; cost a lot more than an inmate spending life in prison, does not reduce or deter crime rate,…

Argumentative Essay: Colorado's Death Penalty System

Currently, 18 states have formally declared the death penalty to be illegal. Most states are currently on “hold” or are not aggressively implementing the penalty. Colorado, has shown a growing trend to lack the will for executions. Governor Hickenlooper gave a reprieve in 2013 to our last death row prisoner scheduled to be executed citing the death penalty is a flawed system. Just this year, the new Denver District Attorney, Beth McCann, said her office will not seek the death penalty.…

Argumentative Essay: Is The Death Penalty?

Does the death penalty deter crime, especially murder? Is the death penalty just? Should the death penalty be reformed? The death penalty also known as capital punishment continues to be an issue of controversy for many years. It seems that public opinion on the death penalty has changed over the year and is still changing, but there are still other people who believe that the death penalty is a good punishment and will continue to believe. Most of the time in my life, I often hear “An eye for…

Death Penalty Argumentative Essay

The Death Penalty should not be allowed in any country because of its bad influence. The death penalty has the risk of executing an innocent person. Everyone in death row has the right to a second chance to life. Sometime there is no evidence for execution just because of what they did. Other countries use the death penalty to punish their political opponents. The death penalty is a bad thing for inmates family because it's a reminder of what the government did to their loved one. When put on…

Argumentative Essay: The Death Penalty Debate

Another opposition is that the death penalty is done painlessly and humanely. In Josh Sunburn’s article he gives insight on an example of when a man was killed with cruel and unusual punishment. This mans name was McGuire (41). McGuire was sentenced to death because he kidnapped, raped, and murdered a pregnant girl (Sanburn 41). The time had come for McGuire’s execution and he was strapped on to the gurney and had two IVs on both of his arms (Sanburn 41). The executioners then released the…

Death Penalty Argumentative Analysis

The death penalty is a controversial and heated topic. While some have strong reasons to be in support of it, others have strong reasons to be against it. The reading by Nathanson, the news article I have selected, and the movie Last Dance either implicitly or explicitly give reasons to be against the death penalty. Berns presents an argument in support of the death penalty. I will analyze these sources and consider the multiple perspectives in a critical manner. I will begin by analyzing…

Argumentative Speech On Death Penalty

capital punishment. And my son. Today, I Barbara Teller will inform you all on how the death penalty is just a desperate attempt in search of “justice” blinded by emotions, to prevent other families to go through what I did. You would have thought that throughout the years we would have evolved from this form of punishment that is revenge caked by law, unfortunately not. My son was put to death for the 1992 murder of 70-year-old John Watson of Covington. But no hard evidence had proven he was…

Argumentative Essay: The Death Penalty In America

Caleb Barwick 11 August 2017 Death Equals Peace Should murderers, rapists, and terrorists be let back in society after serving time in jail just to repeat the crimes they already committed? Well, with the death penalty this will not be a problem. With the death penalty that is not possible for that to happen. The death penalty is necessary for punishment because it can help cut down on terrorism, Americans prefer it as punishment, and it is needed for serious crimes. The death penalty is a…

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Capital Punishment: Arguments in Favor

The idea of capital punishment derives from the tribal concept of blood revenge, which was later reflected in the religious scriptures that prescribe that the deprivation of human life is appropriate as asymmetrical justice, i.e. life for a life. The idea of capital punishment derives from the tribal concept of blood revenge, which was later reflected in the religious scriptures that prescribe that the deprivation of human life is appropriate as asymmetrical justice, i.e. life for a life.

The modern defenders of the death penalty put forth the following point: “Everybody fears death, even animals. Most criminals would think twice if they knew their own lives were at stake”. Although there is no statistical evidence that the death penalty deters crime, we have to agree that most of us fear death” (Radelet et al, 75). In such countries as China, the United States, Japan, and the Pakistan group, capital punishment is still endorsed and practiced in association with the crimes like espionage, treason, murder, in Islamic countries – with adultery and other actions considered by Koran as deathly sins (Radelet and Akers, 2).

Nowadays, there exists a necessity for the death penalty, particularly due to its economic benefit, crime prevention, and isolation effects. Capital punishment is a radical measure that should be administered in cases of heinous crimes causing irreversible physical or psychic changes in the victim, from disability to death.

Firstly, the death penalty to great extent safeguards the innocent lives perpetrators might take unless caught and convicted. It is often stated that the death penalty doesn’t allow exonerating and rehabilitating innocent people, who were executed. However, the proponents of such an idea rely mainly on the results of DNA tests, intended to link together the perpetuator’s and executed person’s genotypes. Nowadays, with the development of biotechnology, the process of investigation is greatly facilitated by DNA examinations (Henderson, 112; Bedau, 62). The existing DNA technology allows a person to be distinguished from another with up to 99.99 percent reliability.

Some three decades ago the main biometrical evidence of the person’s guilt was fingerprinted, which were often unavailable, distorted, or partly erased from the surface when the investigation began. One more guarantee that of the right court’s decision is the availability of lawyers and the principles of fair and non-discriminatory treatment in court proceedings. Whereas several decades ago, court defenders were barely affordable, in the present day, in the United States provision of legal services to individuals with limited financial opportunities is ensured through combining the compensated and the charitable schemes. Moreover, lawyers are greatly motivated to provide pro-bono services (Bedau, p.63) by tax reduction and other privileges, depending on the respective state programs.

Secondly, the death penalty can be also viewed as a successful deterrent. Deterrence means the execution of a criminal, aimed at creating a behavioral example and preventing others from committing capital crimes. However, the opponents of the death penalty state the perspective of spending the whole life in the penitentiary institution serves as an equally effective deterrent (Amnesty International, par. 19).

Researcher Ehrlich ( Radelet and Akers, 69) conducted a regression analysis of social factors affecting homicide and designed a mathematical model of the relationship between capital punishment and the number of slaughters in the territorial unit. In fact, the study found almost no correlation between death penalty practice and homicide rates, these variables seemed to great extent independent from one another. This study is often used as an argument in favor of a life sentence.

However, the scholar actually selected small territorial units and used statistics by districts rather than states; such small numbers are much more difficult to process mathematically for drawing a clear and reliable correlation. From the position of common sense, the death penalty is not the end in itself, but the means to an end, so it was introduced at the legislative level under the pressure of certain circumstances, particularly high crime rates, especially in urban areas. In addition, it is possible to consider the following situation: when a police officer holds a criminal at gunpoint and orders them to get on the ground, the latter obeys, as they are not actually willing to lose their life right now.

In the case of life imprisonment, there is no direct and immediate threat to life, so it is not likely to deter crimes as effectively as the high probability of execution does. This point is actually backed by the scientific fact that decreasing the period, spent on death row, strengthens the deterrent effect, and for every 2.75 years cut from the waiting period, one murder can be prevented (Robertson, 83). It is also important to consider such factors as hope.

If a certain felony is positioned by law as “deathly”, this means, it is inexcusable and implies no chances for returning back and being accepted by society. At the same time, the person, convicted to life imprisonment, is likely to hope that in the future additional changes in the legislation will be introduced and the inmate will have a chance for amnesty. As long as the person lives, they continue to expect a positive change, so the replacement of capital punishment with life imprisonment changes the perception of crime and lead the person to the faulty conviction that there still exists a possibility of returning to society and to people they are connected to from the penitentiary institution.

The deterrence argument is also backed by statistics. As Prodeathpenalty.com suggests, the homicide rate negatively correlates with the number of executions, i.e. the more death penalties are administered, the fewer murders are committed (Prodeathpenalty.com, diagram 2). Moreover, during the 4-year suspension of the death penalty between 1972 and 1976, scholars gathered homicide statistics across the United States. In 1960, there were 56 capital sentences in the country and 9,140 homicides; by 1964, 15 executions took place, and the number of grave crimes rose to 9,250.

By 1972, there were about 16,200 murders and four years without executions resulted in the boosting of criminality up to 20,510 murders per year in 1976. Due to the fact that the population was also growing in these years, it is important to provide one more index: in fact, between 1960 and 1976, the number of annual manslaughters per 100, 000 persons in the country doubled from 5.1 to 10.2. Between the years 1995 and 2000, when the average number of executions was 76 per year, the homicide rate declined to 5.7 murders per 100 000 citizens.

The economic argument in favor of death punishment consists in the fact of the growth of the prison population in the United States, where the death penalty is either prohibited or practiced to a very limited extent. Due to the fact that contemporary corrections act in accordance with the letter of human rights law, the creation of “humane” conditions in penitentiary institutions is a huge economic burden. However, it is often stated that capital sentence convicts spend equally large amounts of taxpayers’ money for appeals, court costs, and the cost of execution. However, simple calculations show different evidence: the existing two million prisoners cost as high as $180 billion per year (Robertson, 39).

Therefore, one prisoner annually takes $90,000 from the state budget. The average murderer’s age is 31, so the inmate spends at least 29 years in the penitentiary institution. The stay therefore will require a $2, 610,000 minimum, not including inflation and the increase of prices for the basic products prisoners need. The death penalty, at the same time, is a relatively inexpensive and much more reliable punishment method, given that it substantially curbs the spending for the person’s stay in the penitentiary institution and removes the need for additional prison staff. In cases of grave crimes, the cost of court proceedings increases, and they’re often arises a need for additional investigation, expertise, and additional guarantees of fair proceedings, but the overall amount spent for administering capital punishment, will not exceed $600,000.

In addition, it is necessary to take into consideration the convict’s three-year stay in the prison, which takes an additional $270,000. The cost of its execution is minimal (four digits maximum) and does not change the fact that the death penalty is generally cheaper than a life sentence. The remaining amount can be used for the improvement of the health care system, education reform, crime prevention campaigns, or the creation of agencies supporting the elderly.

The final argument in favor of the death penalty refers to pure justice execution. In fact, it allows achieving justice for the victim, given that logically, one must pay their life for killing an innocent human being. it is important to understand that all people tormented and slaughtered were willing to live, work for common well-being and bring joy to their families and friends. The “ripple” which results from a murder, covers a huge group of people, literally, everyone who knew the victim – all these people, especially the closest surroundings, are truly willing to inflict the same suffering on the perpetrator.

Logically, revenge is not likely to bring back the victim, this statement can often be heard from death penalty opponents. The argument is weighty, but as it has been stated above, the execution of the offender brings to the victim’s closest people the feeling of being treated fairly: statistically, 73 percent of whites, 63 percent of Hispanics, and 46 percent of African Americans view death row as a just and appropriate measure (American Demographics, 1).

According to Robertson’s study that involved more than one hundred participants whose close relatives were slaughtered. The execution of the perpetrator took place at least three years ago. As the research suggests, 67 percent of subjects reported satisfaction with the villain’s execution and stated that the court decision was generally just (Robertson, 180).

Although the death penalty was found to bring little grief relief, it allows the victim’s family and the broader community to believe in justice and make sure no one else will be slaughtered by the cruel offender. These arguments are weighty, but as has been stated above, the execution of the offender brings to the victim’s closest people the feeling of being treated fairly.

Thus, capital punishment is a debatable measure, which can be nowadays administered only in cases of cruel or serial murders, since this practice is justified statistically, ethically, and economically. It allows saving human lives, material assets of the government as is believed by the American society to re-establish justice. However, it is important to warn against executing innocents and develop a detailed and transparent procedure of investigation that would allow drawing the right verdict and determining the appropriate punitive measure.

Works cited

Federal Bureau of Justice Statistics. “Criminal Offenders Statistics.” 2008. Web.

Prodeathpenalty. “Deterrence”. 2008. Web.

Prodeathpenalty. “Who speaks for the victims of those we execute?”. 2008. Web.

Amnesty International. “Death Penalty”. 2008. Web.

American Demographics. “The Death Penalty – American attitudes – Brief Article – Statistical Data Included”. 2008. Web.

Henderson, H. Capital Punishment. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 2000.

Radelet, M., Bedau, H. and Putnam, C. In Spite of Innocence: Erroneous Convictions in Capital Cases. Boston, Mass.: Northeastern University Press, 1994.

Radelet, M. and Akers, R. “Deterrence and the death penalty: the views of the experts”. Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology 87 (1996), pp. 1-16.

Bedau, H. The Death Penalty in America: Current Controversies. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997.

Robertson, D. Tears from Heaven Voices from Hell: The Pros and Cons of the Death Penalty As Seen Through the Eyes of the Victims of Violent Crime and Death Row Inmates. Writers Club Press, 2004.

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