...Abstract Capital punishment had caused a divide in our society; those who believe it is unethical and morally wrong for the government to take one’s life and those who believe capital punishment is right and is needed to the deterrence of crime. This is a very controversial issue and brings up many different points of views from many different people. Some argue that murderers should be executed and pay for the crimes they’ve committed while others believe life imprisonment is suffice. The Catholic Church condemns this type of punishment but those who have been victimized are crying for justice. Another argument is that the methods used for capital punishment is against the Eight Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. My intentions for this paper are to present and analyze both sides of the argument. Is the death penalty immoral or is it immoral not to impose it? Introduction Capital punishment, also known as the death, has been one of the most controversial issue currently still under fire about its morality. Many believe it is both unethical and morally wrong for the government to take one’s life while others believe capital punishment is right and is needed to the deterrence of crime. This is a very controversial issue and brings up many different points of views from many different people. Some argue that murderers should be executed and pay for the crimes they’ve committed while others believe life imprisonment is suffice. The Catholic Church condemns this...
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...Current Event – Role of Special Interest Groups Paper AJS 552 Week 4 The Death Penalty - Public Safety vs. Individual Rights Introduction This paper will focus on the criminal justice system, public safety and civil rights in specific relation to the death penalty as a form of punishment and its effects on society. The execution of criminals and the effects on society are most intriguing and can be debated upon both for and against the issue give a thorough elaboration on criminal executions and the effects on society. In this day and age, research not only illustrates that the death penalty is complex, in more ways than one, but has also raised questions about its relations to deterring crime and the financial impact it has on society. Using current and historical information, such as articles and scholarly articles, to support why this research is important and possible methods society could use to help improve this controversial debate. Summary The Orange County register printed an article on the death penalty and possibly being considered as immoral. “While the commission drops the dime on the mind-numbing cost of administering the death penalty, it barely hints at the moral and ethical depravity of the practice” (Mears, 2008). The article states that there are racial and socioeconomic bias towards the death penalty and how this can and may lead to a cause for concern among citizens. This seems to initiate that in most cases the targets of race are African...
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...state fond of the death penalty ever since the establishment of capital punishment. The circumstances in which a person can be subject to capital punishment are clearly defined in section 19.03 of the Texas Penal Code. (5, Metze.) Most of the reasons for executing an inmate pertain to the act of intentional/premeditated murder. Despite the fact that Texas legislature strongly supports capital punishment and the idea of retribution, the issue is growing to be quite controversial to the general public. The Texas legislature largely supports the death penalty and their voting tends to indicate this as fact. A spring 1985 poll conducted in Texas reported that 74% of the Texas electorate support and favor the...
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...Evan Davis May 14, 2015 American institution Prof. Pro Con Capital Punishment Capital Punishment is a highly controversial and emotional issue which most people seem to have strong arguments for and against. The use of Capital Punishment in America has become a controversy among Americans. Controversy whether to ban Capital Punishment or not has become a top priority for most politicians. On one hand it brings justice, yet on the other its taking a life. These two mind set lead to numerous debates and disputes on the topic and even be linked to other controversial topics like abortion or gun laws. If someone was to believe that capital punishment was just and deserved to the law breaker, they are viewed as mad or blood thirsty. While if one was against it they are called weak or not American in some minds. With both views come valid points but also hard issues. The economic argument that is always seems to come up is the cost of the death penalty opposed to just life in prison. According to California state records, the operating expense to finance the penalty costs tax payers more than $114 million annually (Tempest). A 2005 report from Newsday concluded that New Jersey tax payers have spent a total of $253 million since 1983, which is an incomparably greater cost than if capital punishment was idle (Newsday). "A 1991 study of the Texas criminal justice system estimated the cost of appealing capital murder is around $2.3 million. In contrast, the cost of housing a...
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...sentence me to death, I will escape from prison and murder every single one of you”, threatened John Louis Evans to the jury on April 26, 1977. Within less than fifteen minutes of discussion, the jury found him guilty and sentenced him to death by electrocution in the “chair”. Six years later, the first of three attempts of 1,900 volts of electricity were sent accelerating through John Evans's body. The final excruciating jolt boiled his brain and extremities in a horrifying manner, causing the nauseating stench of burnt flesh to quickly pervade the open air. John Evans's execution, which should have been only 30 seconds, lasted 14 minutes long. Whenever the phrase “death penalty” is brought up, two sides of extremists are riled up shouting for either approval or forbearance; thus creating a whirlpool of dissent and provocation. Many critics of this controversial issue may state that the moral aspects are inhumane and that the use should be discontinued from the United States; however, the crimes deemed worthy of capital punishment should not and cannot be overlooked simply because of a certain belief. The implementation of the death penalty should remain in practice to prevent heinous crimes and victimization of the innocent. Sometimes the “chair” truly is the best seat in the house. The supreme court case of Alabama vs John Louis Evans of 1977 shifted the viewpoint as to how the United States would approach the sensitive issue of the death penalty. John Evans was...
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...Cons of Death Penalty Does the execution of a murderer serve justice for all? One of the most controversial topics in the world today not only deals with the death penalty, also known as capital punishment, but whether it should be abolished or not . While some believe that the death penalty is “cruel and unusual punishment” violating the 8th amendment of the United States Constitution, others argue that “an eye for an eye” does justice. Thirty-four different states support this type of punishment including Oklahoma, leaving fifteen states that do not. According to Newport and the Gallup Polls, as of May 2007, “sixty-six percent of Americans -- almost the same percentage that supports the death penalty” consider the death penalty “morally acceptable.” Only twenty-seven percent of people believe the death penalty is morally wrong. Some say that the “legality in the United States is critically undermining American moral stature around the world (Ballaro & Cushman)." The death penalty is a very emotional, complex, and rather complicated matter that includes, but not limited to, the argument of the pros and cons as well as the fact that some convicted people whether executed or not are then later freed from guilt and blame (exonerated). There are many different pros of the death penalty, but I have chosen to only discuss a few of the most controversial topics. Supporters of death penalty believe that “[j]ustice is only achieved when a crime is met with the proper punishment (Pearce)...
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...Dead man walking is a controversial film, directed by Tim Robbins, and cast include Susan Sarandon (Sister Helen Prejan) and Sean Penn (Mathew Poncelet). Dead man walking follows an epic experience of a nun, Sister Prejan, with a convicted murderer and rapist, Mathew Poncelet. The movie debates many complex political, religious and ethical issues concerning capital punishment, going through the experience and knowledge of the movie cast. Yet, it intelligently criticizes the law of capital punishment and describes it as an immoral and injustice act of murder. furthermore, Mathew Poncelet who faces death penalty is constantly seen to be facing some form of torture and denial from the society; his life becomes an instrument of the political world while he constantly tries to save himself but fails; however, Mathew’s death brilliantly questions the legitimacy of the death penalty law. The movie criticizes the injustice role of the government on the death penalty law, describing it as propaganda by the government to raise support in expense of a human being’s life. This is particularly evident in the start of the movie, when the governor is shown speaking to supporters and ordering the death of Mathew Poncelet. Although Mathew receives the news of his death, we see him fighting for his life in courts. In the pardon board scene, which is described as being appointees of the governor with enormous power, shown mostly in close up shots, seemed not interested in considering Mathew’s...
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...PRO Capital punishment which is also known as the death penalty has become an increasingly controversial issue over many decades. Capital punishment is the pre-meditated and planned taking of a human life by a government in response to a crime committed by that legally convicted person. Capital punishment should be legalized in all states, because it is morally just and it will deter crime. The many opponents of capital punishment who are against it feel that the death penalty is not a deterrent and that it is a thing of the past. It has no place in a civilized society today. One of the biggest arguments against capital punishment is people feel that it violates the eighth amendment which forbids cruel and unusual punishment. People against Capital Punishment believe the death penalty is absurd and is in un-Christian practice. Further more, they feel society should not" encourage sentiments of revenge or cater to morbid interest in ritual execution." Criminologists also built a strong case that the threat of death failed to deter murder, anymore effectively than prison. Therefore, to inflict harm to one, it is simply useless. However, the punishment fits the crime therefore, it is morally just. Capital punishment is an expression of society's moral outrage at offensive conduct. This may be appealing to many but it is essential in an ordered society. It asks our citizens to rely on legal procedures rather than to self-help their wrongs doings. It is morally right to sentence...
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...getting away with very little or no punishment for the crimes they are committing. You could be walking down the street in your very own neighborhood looking for their next victim and you do not even realize it. These criminals have no remorse on what they do; they are just waiting to strike again. However, if someone asked what your thought is on the death penalty, most would probably say that they are against it that is until a family member or someone you love is walking down the street and that man who was looking for their next victim found them. It was a family member and you will never see them again. Capital punishment has been a topic of debate for a very long time and it still has no certain solution. The Supreme Court, in 1972 said that it was unconstitutional and had made it legal after the Furman v. Georgia case. They said that it was in violation of our eighth and fourteenth amendment citing cruel and unusual punishment (Shaw, 2001). They then reinstated the death penalty after the Gregg v. Georgia case in 1976 (Shaw, 2001). As of September 2010, fifteen states that do not have the death penalty ("Death penalty information center," 2010.) Today about seventy percent of Americans who support the death penalty (The pros and cons of the death penalty in the USA, 2011). While thirty percent are against the death penalty (The pros and cons of the death penalty in the USA, 2011). When seeking the death penalty, it is something not done very often...
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...Capital punishment, also known as death penalty, is a major thing in the United States. People in the United States committing serious crimes like murdering, manslaughter is considered capital punishment. Each state is different of determining capital punishment and what type of punishment a person receives the death. The four types of death penalty are electric chair, injection, firing squad, and hanging. The two most popular death penalty types by most states are the electric chair and injection. The electric chair is the most deadly to be in under the death penalty. It shocks the prisoner until the person dies. The injection part of the death penalty is strapping the prisoner down and sticking a needle in their arm with a drug that would cause them to die automatically. Some states used the firing squad as a death penalty. When a person is convicted of a crime and it turns out to be a capital punishment, then the person goes into death row. People waiting on death row for days, months, or years whenever it is about time for execution. I am going for supporting the capital punishment. The reason why is because it takes tax money from us if there are more prisoners in prisons. When capital punishment is okay. My moral stance and why I choose it. Somewhere in the bible says that taking someone’s life is another persons life. Economics and statistics of penalty verses keeping them in prison. Penalty popular in the United States. Thirty- seven states retained by...
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...CAPITAL PUNISHMNET: THE RIGHT TO KILL Capital Punishment: The Right to Kill Debra Gonzalez University of Phoenix Axia Capital Punishment: The Right to Kill Capital punishment has been a source of debate since its inception; the public continues to dispute this highly controversial issue. A struggle exists between Americans who are fighting for a safe and secure society and those individuals who want to abolish the death penalty. Capital punishment may be a controversial subject; however, it is a critical issue that must be addressed in today's violent society. Many people can not decide if the death penalty provides the necessary punishment and deterrent effect that is needed for criminals but, capital punishment is an aspect of criminal sentencing that needs to be evaluated. The United States Supreme Court judgment in Furman vs. Georgia in 1972 came to the decision that the death penalty was a violation of the eight amendment because of the inconsistent manner by which it was carried out. However, in the 1970s, 34 states across the nation ratified new legislation on capital punishment that met the standards set by the Supreme Court. The most significant change in the history of death penalty cases transpired when United States legislators and the Congress passed what is now know as the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act .This made a capital punishment sentence possible for various federal crimes. Across this Nation there were approximately...
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...with the capital punishment, as a way to punish also it affects the public when criminal put to death. The impact on the public is most impressive it could debate upon this so many times. Also against the matter, give a thorough explanation putting to death, criminal also the impact on the public. At this current time, research does not only show that the sentence to the death penalty is intricate in many ways. However, capital punishment has started to make people ask many questions it connection with preventing criminal act's effect. That it has on the public economically by having information that recent and from the past, also using articles of scholarly and other articles on the topic as well. To help support, the reason this research is essential and he would aid society to use different tactics. To help benefit both side issues, within the debate, they have on this matter. The costly and ethical standpoint of the death penalty The Kentucky lawmaker stated that it was too expensive to use the methods of using the sentence to death as a form of punishment. Also, how it might seem as morally wrong, to do, although the commission tells the truth about the expensive cost of administering the sentence to death penalty. It hardly talks about the ethical, also principled wickedness of the practices sentence to capital punishment. In the article, it says that it is ethnic also socioeconomic prejudice, with the penalty of sentenced to death also how...
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...Death Penalty In today judicial system, many criminals are getting away with very little or no punishment for the crimes they are committing. You could be walking down the street in your very own neighborhood looking for their next victim and you do not even realize it. These criminals have no remorse on what they do; they are just waiting to strike again. However, if someone asked what your thought is on the death penalty, most would probably say that they are against it that is until a family member or someone you love is walking down the street and that man who was looking for their next victim found them. It was a family member and you will never see them again. Capital punishment has been a topic of debate for a very long time and it still has no certain solution. The Supreme Court, in 1972 said that it was unconstitutional and had made it legal after the Furman v. Georgia case. They said that it was in violation of our eighth and fourteenth amendment citing cruel and unusual punishment (Shaw, 2001). They then reinstated the death penalty after the Gregg v. Georgia case in 1976 (Shaw, 2001). As of September 2010, fifteen states that do not have the death penalty ("Death penalty information center," 2010.) Today about seventy percent of Americans who support the death penalty (The pros and cons of the death penalty in the USA, 2011). While thirty percent are against the death penalty (The pros and cons of the death penalty in the USA, 2011). When seeking the...
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...Rebuttal Unraveling the “Three Strikes law and making it unconstitutional is the primary focus of the Criminal Defense Clinic at Stanford Law School. Its founder Michael Romano States in his article “Striking Back: Using Death Penalty Cases to Fight Disproportionate Sentences Imposed Under California’s Three Strike Law” (2010), his clinic believes the “Three Strikes Law” is unconstitutional and unfair punishment. Our argument we will make the case stating he is using fallacies to strengthen his argument. In California there are no class systems for felonies. Whether or not the felony is violent or not violent, California imposes a harsh sentence. We will give an overview of what “The Three Strikes” law are, the “Death Penalty” and our rebuttal. California's Three Strikes Law "is a sentencing scheme that adds significant time to the prison sentences of certain repeat offenders convicted of serious or violent felonies." California Criminal Defense Lawyers,(2013). This law "three strikes law" also known as the Three Strike Law, was enacted in California in the 1990s to allow harsher punishments for those that committed felonies more than once and to provide for relief of the crimes themselves. A felony is defined "as a crime that has a greater punishment imposed by statute than that imposed on a misdemeanor" The Felony Law & Legal Definition (2013). Although a violent felony is defined as "a crime consisting of conduct that presents a serious risk of potential injury to...
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...The issue of administering the death penalty as punishment for the most heinous crimes in the United States has remained a polemic and highly contested issue to date. Scott Philips, an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Denver, uses data and statistics, particularly, data dealing with the demographics of the individuals who are being sentenced with capital punishment to illustrate the racial disparity in the distribution of the death sentence. An indie folkpop duo, The Kings of Convenience, produce a melodic and soothing song questioning the morality and rationality behind capital punishment. Philip’s article Disparities in the Capital of Capital Punishment, makes a more effective logical and ethical assertion, while The...
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