...In 1998, Daryl Atkins was sentenced by a jury to death on account of capital murder charges as well as armed robbery and abduction. In response, Atkins appealed the ruling of the trial court on the ground that sentencing a mentally retarded criminal to death was a cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. Prior to Atkins, in 1989, merely 13 years earlier, the United States Supreme Court ruled the Eighth Amendment does not categorically prohibit the execution of mentally retarded capital murderers in the case Penry v Lynaugh (“Penry v Lynaugh”). The verdict of this case gave state legislatures the ability to decide whether to adopt the death penalty or not, however, the United States Supreme Court limited the states' ability to execute. States are prohibited from executing minors and the insane; for reason that, these defendants' diminished capacity for reasoned judgment limits their culpability. Yet, the Supreme Court case, Atkins v Virginia, challenged the constitutionality in executing the mentally retarded, ultimately revisiting the limitation verdict of Penry v Lynaugh. The legal...
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...The Death Penalty Is It a Deterrent to Cop Killing And Crime in General Eastern Michigan University School of Police Staff and Command Executive Lieutenant Ronald Livingston Huntington Woods DPS Huntington Woods, MI An applied research project submitted to the Department of Interdisciplinary Technology as part of the School of Police Staff and Command Program. 2 Abstract This paper examines whether or not the Death Penalty is a deterrent to crime in general and more specific, it examines if the Death Penalty is a deterrent to the murder of Police Officers in the line of duty. It explores the history of the death penalty as our country moves through different periods in its history. Comparisons were made of regions throughout the country as to how the death penalty impacts crime in general and whether the fact that having the death penalty makes Police Officers safer with potential Cop killers knowing that the death penalty awaits them should they kill an Officer. This paper was compiled mainly by researching online periodicals, newspapers and books. This is a topic that evokes strong feelings, pro and con. These feelings and responses to certain crimes provide a virtual emotional roller coaster ride depending on circumstances. The killings of two Detroit Police Officers earlier this year proved to be no different. 3 Table of Contents Abstract ………..……………………………………………………………………..2 Table of Contents………………………………………………………………….....3 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………...
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...of teen’s texting while driving and how many young people have died because of texting. There are many laws being established to try to prevent distracted driving from happening, although they can’t completely stop it. No matter what age the driver is, under no circumstance should they be texting while driving. Many accidents are blamed on distracted driving and most of the distractions are caused by cell phone usage. Unfortunately, some opponents feel that creating a law against cell phone use infringes people personal rights. Others think that banning someone from using their cell phones is equivalent to telling someone that they can't adjust their radio or talk with someone else in their car. However, using a cell phone, whether talking or texting, while driving can be extremely dangerous; it should be made illegal because it is very dangerous to yourself and the people surrounding you. Texting while driving can lead to the death of loved ones, and because of this it is now being compared to the danger level of drinking while driving. One reason the majority of people are against this action is because it causes a great amount...
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...of Babylon, and the Draconian code of Athens, the death penalty has been established as a punishment for crimes. If we scheme these historical aspects, a feeling of devastation arises in us regarding the horror that associates the idea of using the worst methods of death for punishing people. Capital punishment has long been a topic of controversy attracting both opposers and supporters. However, the modern state of today`s world reflecting topics of humans` rights and justice assuredly push us towards refuting capital punishment. “The first question shouldn’t be 'Why not use the death penalty?' but 'Why use it?' There’s no good reason. First, we’ve already protected ourselves. This individual has been separated from society; he’s not able to hurt us again. If we execute this young man, it will not protect us against a future tragedy. The things that keep us safe are preventative, that address the root causes of crime — making sure people have mental health services, an education, helping families that are at risk ( Diann ,2004). The International law and the analysis based on human rights are useful means to address the death penalty in the U.S. Although the U.S. uses other terms in protecting basic rights, and has...
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...while driving is extremely distracting and dangerous to the person behind the wheel, and everyone else on the road as well. Every year, 21% of fatal car crashes involving teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 were the result of using their cell phone while behind the wheel. This statistic is expected to grow as much as 4% every year. But, this is not just a problem among teen drivers. One-fifth of adult drivers in the United States also report sending text messages while driving (“Cell Phone & Texting Accidents”). To combat this problem, the United States government much take a stronger stance and pass legislation that unifies texting while driving laws and punishments, as well as installing much more education about the dangers of texting behind the wheel to convey the much needed message to the future drivers of the United States. Currently, thirty-five states have enacted complete bans on texting for all drivers. Another seven have banned it from novice drivers, or those who have their license but are under the age of eighteen, with three more banning it for only school bus...
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...THE DEATH PENALTY Does capital punishment act as a better deterrent to murder than a long prison sentence? The first legal execution of a criminal in America was in 1623 in the Jamestown colony where Daniel Franken was hung for theft. (Frank D.) During the Colonial period, a person could be put to death for a variety of reasons, as opposed to modern times where the crime must consist of willful murder. Hanging remained the primary means of execution until August 6, 1890, when William Kemmler became the first person to be executed by way of the electric chair. Throughout the 20th century additional methods were used, including the gas chamber, firing squad and lethal injection, all of which remain employed today. After centuries of executions, one would think lawmakers would have realized that the death penalty is unequally applied and does not deter crime. All States that employ the death penalty use lethal injection as their primary means. Traditionally, the lethal cocktail has consisted of Sodium Thiopental, to render the condemned unconscious, Pancuronium Bromide to relax the muscles to the point of apparent paralysis, and Potassium Chloride to stop the heart. The manufacturers of these drugs are primarily European companies. Recently, these companies were prohibited by the European Union to export the drugs for lethal injection purposes. This ban has resulted in a mass shortage of the required drugs. Due to the lack of supply...
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...Modules 1-Introduction, 2-Overview of Legal Systems and 3-Death Penalty 1. The Uniform Crime Report “Crime Rate” allows a. police to set a value on crimes c. comparison of crime over time and in different locations b. police to report crimes d. comparison of crime between countries 2. In the United States, all states except one use a similar source for their law. Which state is different? a. Louisiana c. Alaska b. Hawaii d. California 3. The United Nations has three major components: a. General Secretary, Chief Justice and c. justification, excuse, alibi and Council procedural b. justification, excuse, alibi and d. General Assembly, Security Council, procedural and Secretariat 4. The state with the largest death row population is a. Texas c. Georgia b. Virginia d. California Modules 4- Drug Laws & Policy and 5-Marriage & Homophobia 5. In the United States, what percentage of federal prisoners are incarcerated for drug and drug related offenses? a. 5% c. 50% b. 10% d. 100% 6. One major problem of physical dependence on drugs is a. as time goes on, the user develops a c. as time goes on, the user gets bored tolerance to the drug, requiring smaller with the drug and/or less frequent dosage b. as time goes on, the user develops a d. there are no problems associated with tolerance to the drug, requiring larger physical dependence on drugs and/or more frequent dosage 7. In Loving v. Virginia, the United States Supreme Court was asked to rule on a case about a. homosexual...
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...What is the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994? The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, also known as the 1994 Crime Bill, was a comprehensive piece of legislation passed by the United States Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton on September 13, 1994. It was one of the largest crime bills in U.S. history and aimed to address various issues related to crime and law enforcement. There are seven key provisions of the 1994 Crime Bill which include the federal assault weapons ban, community oriented policing services (Cops), Violent Offender Incarceration and Truth-in-Sentencing Incentive Grants, Death Penalty Provisions, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Youth Violence Prevention Program,...
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...control laws attempt to regulate the sale, acquisition, or ownership of firearms through registration and identification. Now if the right to bear arms is a freedom granted to us, then why is this a topic of discussion and debate, and should it be regulated or not? Many sources state that guns lead to violence and crime, and we would be much better off without them, while the opposition to this argument states that taking away the right to carry a gun is unconstitutional, and it’s the individuals behind the firearms committing the crimes and not the guns themselves. Either way, this topic has been in debate for a duration now, and it is one to be addressed to understand whether the regulation of firearms has an impact on our society through absolving crime. Crime appears to be the obvious reason that guns are regulated by law in most countries, including the United States. The question that pertains to this situation is whether or not heavy regulation of arms actually deters crime, and if it does, should the United States follow in the footsteps of that of other countries who disallow even any ownership of firearms, or if this freedom that is granted to us should be actually free? Currently, the United States regulation of arms has an impact on who can actually own and operate a firearm, and obtaining a firearm legally has become a legal process that attempts to prevent those who have ‘abused’ their right to arms from being able...
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...People argue that it is the mother's body, the mother's choice. Others say that a life is a life, no matter how small. Do you really think that anyone has the right to murder an innocent's human being? I disagree. Here`s is why it should be banned; many will argue that abortion is wrong because it's taking a human life, no matter what stage of pregnancy it is in, it's very bad for the mother's health and the after math of an abortion could very well go the opposite of what they had envisioned. Banning abortion can be a big achievement but it can always be done if it's compulsory. No one in the world has the right to even think of murdering an innocent child. Just because a fetus may not have a complete eye or leg formed doesn't mean he or she isn't a human. Many people who are against death penalty are in favour of abortion. Abortion is one of the worst types of murder because it is the killing of a person who has not committed any sin. Those who practice abortion should receive the same penalty that they give the baby. A psychologist agrees that about 10% of the 1.6 million women who have had abortion experience severe emotional trauma. Some of the physical damage can result from an abortion- damaged cervix, perforated uterus, haemorrhage, and infection are just a few of the side effects that could occur. A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry indicated that 50% of women who have abortions experience post-abortion emotional distress. Another study conducted by...
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...Two Constitutional Amendments The first amendment that I researched was the first one. The First Amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances. This amendment was adopted on December 15, 1791. This amendment is one of ten that are in the bill of rights. The First Amendment’s five fundamental freedoms religion, speech, press, assembly and petition are hotly debated. Over the years this amendment has been challenged to the fullest. How free is speech anymore? The words do not change, but how we interpret them does. Some people feel that there is a freedom of speech but there’s a lot of things that you can’t say. Like did you know you can’t say bomb on a plane? If freedom of speech was so free why would I be restricted to say certain things? I should be able to say what I feel if I wanted to. Despite the protections found in the First Amendment, the freedoms described are under constant assault, from school officials refusing to let students express their faith and local governments and police forbidding citizens from expressing unpopular views in public to members of the press being threatened with jail time for reporting on important government programs. The First Amendment also includes the right to express...
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...cannabis has been considered to an illegal drug in most countries. Nevertheless, today, some countries have legalized cannabis while other countries have not. In particular, small quantities of cannabis have been allowed in regions such as Europe, North America and South America. Moreover, in the United States, some states such as Washington and Colorado have also legalized the possession and usage of marijuana for medical purposes. On the other hand, various penalties are imposed for use or possession of cannabis in most countries. The penalties generally range from simple to severe punishments. Possession of small quantities of marijuana is not punished the same way as possession of large quantities. In this argumentative essay, I seek to argue the reasons why cannabis should be legalized, and why it should not. Primarily, cannabis should be legalized since it is used for medication, and its legalization means better and higher quality health standards. For example, Sativex is a recent drug that has been discovered to cure Multiple Sclerosis (Kmietowicz 89). The drug has been used in the United Kingdom to treat MS patients, and it has been found to work effectively. Therefore, banning of cannabis would be a disadvantage to people who suffer from diseases that use cannabis as a major component in their medicine. The usage of cannabis for medical purpose is the strongest reason to legalize it. Cannabis helps a condition that is known as cancer chemotherapy. The condition causes...
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...It has become an important communication tool that is used by people all over the world to keep everyone connected. However, the increase use of cellphone while driving is becoming a significant cause of automobile accidents because it decreases a driver’s awareness and attentiveness resulting in driver’s being distracted and impaired driving abilities. It is true that cell phones can also be very useful, but when automobile drivers use them while driving, it becomes a very high distractor because it distracts the driver, impairs the ability to control the vehicle and reduces awareness of what is happening on the road. Distraction cause by a cellphone use is a growing problem nationwide that can lead to accidents causing injury and even death. Evidence suggests that cellphone use while driving has shown to be detrimental on driving performance. All drivers must be aware of any distractions while driving and take necessary steps to prevent accidents and...
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...accidents which also results in death. It's a terrible tragedy that can be so easily avoided with minimal effort. II. Introduction. Did you know that at any given daylight moment, some 13.5 million drivers are on hand-held phones? This is a fact according to a study released last week by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and it's a very shocking...
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...Issues In The Death Penalty More than an estimated 18,800 Americans have been executed since the creation of the death penalty dating back to colonial times (University of Alabama). The decision of death for the punishment of a murder in the United States has declined in recent years. In 2009, the number of new death sentences was 112, the lowest level in 30 years. Unfortunately, the U.S. fails to recognize capital punishment as a profound human rights violation and as a frightening abuse of government power. According Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, is punishment by death for a crime (Capital Punishment). There are both pros and cons to capital punishment, but many people are against it. The innocent people put on death row, the cost, the lack of proven deterrence and discrimination within the system are all reasons capital punishment should be a big concern. The death penalty can be and has been inflicted upon innocent people. Since 1973, over 130 people have been released from death row with evidence of their innocence(DPIC). If 130 people have been proven innocent, there are bound to be more people falsely convicted. In Florida, James Bain spent 35 years behind bars before he was finally freed for a crime he did not commit. How was he freed? He was freed through the help of DNA evidence that was unavailable in 1974 when he was convicted of the crime. Now, Bain is entitled to 1.75 million dollars because Florida has a law that automatically...
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