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Death Penalty In America

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Death Penalty -

as practised in the United States of America

Marlin Falbesaner

Definition

A death penalty, or capital punishment, is the sentence of execution for a crime (especially murder and other serious capital crimes) given by a court of law. The verdict that a criminal is going to be punished by death is known as death sentence, while the act of carrying out the punishment is referred to as an execution.

Main facts

Executions in 2016

Most retentionist countries have an age requirement, even though there have been certain cases where minors were punished by death.

The 2016 Amnesty International report shows, that 23 countries performed executions, although some countries (for example China and North …show more content…
European settlers brought the practice of punishment by death over to the new world in the 1600’s. Records show, that the first execution in America was in 1608. Captain George Kendall was convicted for being a Spanish spy. Laws regarding punishment by death varied from colony to colony. Under these laws, even minor offenses such as striking one's mother or father, denying the "true God" stealing grapes, killing chickens, and trading with Indians were punishable by death.

Between the 16th and 18th century a huge panic regarding witchcraft swept across the European colonies in North America. During this time span, there was a widespread claim that witches were an organized threat to Christendom. Tens of thousands of people (mostly women) were prosecuted for witchcraft and sentenced to death.

Mid Modern Period (1750 – 1914)

In 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed, many of the signers such as Benjamin Franklin, Dr. Benjamin Rush and Attorney General William Bradford believed that punishment by death was not a deterrent but increased criminal behaviour for certain crimes. In 1794 Pennsylvania was the first state to consider degrees of murder and remove the punishment by death for all crimes apart from first-degree …show more content…
During this time period both retentionists and abolitionists developed arguments on the key issues. Although most arguments are subject to one’s own opinion and viewpoint rather than being based on facts. Both parties have used studies and statistical data to prove the rightfulness of their position.

Deterrent effect

Supporters of the death penalty argue, that most human being will not commit a criminal offence if they know they can be executed as a result. Abolitionists disagree and often believe that the death penalty aggravate serious crimes as the offender has already committed a crime and might not hesitate to violate other laws as they might feel like they have nothing to lose.

Many different studies comparing states that are using the death penalty versus one that do not are inconclusive as they usually compare groups with similar characteristics (population, race, geographical proximity, urban and industrial development) but fail to account for crimes actually deterred.

Enormous costs to

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