...Final: Capital Punishment a just social problem SOC 203 Intro to Social Problems The debate of capital punishment will always generate passion, it is one of the most debated issues in the Criminal Justice system. The absence of capital punishment would prove a greater problem for the sake of society. Many opponents will argue the death penalty should be abolished, they fail to offer up any comparable alternatives for the crime for murder. It is a harsh punishment but, in all fairness, the punishment fits the crime. Capital punishment does what the name suggests: it punishes and it removes the notion that one can kill and get away with it. It serves as a deterrent for those contemplating murder and in the end, it brings justice. Capital punishment defends the sanctity of life and until we evolve to the place where murders are no longer a part of our society, we must punish this crime fairly. To know we have removed a murdering criminal from the street is a relief thankful to deterrence of violent crime, retribution, Christianity, and innocence. One argument for the death penalty is the fact that it deters crime. Those enticed by killing someone might think twice if they know their life will be taken as a consequence. Joanna Shepherd explores the history of capital punishment and explains that while many studies produced mixed results, modern economic studies reveal executions “significantly deter murders” (Shepherd). In addition, Wesley Lowe reports when the death penalty...
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...Douglas S. Coppin The Effects of Capital Punishments NIC / Executive Leadership June 2013 Evidence-Based Practice in the Criminal Justice System The phrase “because we have always done it that way” universally is no longer acceptable as it pertains to working in many sectors of the work-force, especially within the criminal justice system. Constant financial pressure to streamline budgets, coupled with ever-changing political climates have forced criminal justice organizations to embrace evidence-based concepts and practices. Evidence-based practice is defined as the use of practices that have been scientifically tested and proven effective. In simple terms, doing what works. This has led to drastic changes in various sectors from police operations, probation, sentencing, etc. When examining capital punishment the first question that must be asked is why do we do it? Is it simply a universal response to an atrocious act committed by an offender? If so, then there is no need to look any further. However, thousands of capital offense convictions are handed down annually in the U.S., yet most do not result in death penalty sentences. Therefore the only logical conclusion is that there is much more complexities in play once the state hands down capital punishment. Possible Effects of Capital Punishments at a Glance By and large, capital punishment in the United States is handed down to those offenders that are found guilty of homicide. Although not limited...
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...Running head Capital Punishment 1 Capital Punishment Ronnie C. Smith Running head Capital Punishment 2 Capital Punishment otherwise known as the ‘death penalty’ is the punishment given by governments for an individual who is found guilty of committing a serious offense or crime. Without even a hesitation, executions are well though-out definitive punishment for any offense or felony, because there is no revoke from bereavement. The rational option for capital punishment is living in jail without even parole; a number of states still use capital punishment. The reason behind this is the dispute whether capital punishment is right and permissible is still widely unclear (Phil for Humanity, 2006). Nowadays, one of the most discussed concerns in the Criminal Justice System is none other than capital punishment or otherwise called the death penalty. Capital punishment was legal until 1972, when the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional in Furman v. Georgia stating that it violated the Eight and Fourteen Amendment citing cruel and unusual punishment. However, in 1976, the Supreme Court reversed itself with Gregg v. Georgia and reinstated the death penalty, but not all states have the death penalty (Prodeath.com. 2001). There are always two sides of the coin and so is the case with Capital Punishment. There are people who favor it and there are people who are against it. The first stance. Many people who are against Capital punishment...
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...have the right to execute people convicted of crimes. I see capital punishment as an immoral practice because capital punishment has failed to prove any benefits. Capital punishment is not cost effective and does not have a deterrence effect. I believe that the influence of media has caused the widespread support for the capital punishment. The public needs to be aware of the reasons why capital punishment cannot be justified. There is a common belief in our society that it is costly to keep a person in prison on a life-sentence. This belief is true—imprisoning a person requires about $20,000 annually. However, studies showed that the cost of capital punishment significantly exceeds the cost of life-long prison terms. When capital punishment is considered, it is mandatory for the case to be heard in the United States Supreme Court. The case goes through multiple appeals and retrials in order to provide “proof beyond reasonable doubt.” By one study, each execution cost $2.16 million more than life imprisonment. Also, the cost of detaining a person on a death-row is higher than detaining those who are serving their terms. This cost mounts to a significant amount considering the fact that an average person on a death row spends close to 8 years in prison. Therefore, it would be wrong to justify capital punishment because of the cost. Deterrence theory is envisioned as people weighing their potential punishments before acting. Many supporters of death penalty argue that by...
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...the abolition of capital punishment. Outside of the United States, there are only three industrialized democracies that still use the death penalty as part of their justice system (Japan, Singapore, and South Korea). The global movement toward peace can never be led by a country that continues to sanction killing. First, I intend to give an overview of capital punishment, including its history, Supreme Court decisions, and the general controversy. Next, I will present my case by establishing the most relevant points in my argument, including statistics that contradict capital punishment as a crime deterrent, evidence that shows the inconsistency in how defendants are sentenced to death row, and finally evidence of mistaken executions. For my counterargument section, I will acknowledge those who support the death penalty by highlighting their cogent points. The primary counterargument in favor of the death penalty rests on giving the families of victims a sense of closure and justice. This counterargument will be refuted using evidence gathered primarily through national studies and statistics. Finally, I will conclude by summarizing key points in the argument, by offering possible alternatives to the death penalty, and be reasserting the case to federally abolish capital punishment once and for all.Sunshine 2 I do need help with a few questions and concerns I have for the paper. Am I correct in thinking that the primary reason people support the death penalty...
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...Running Head: CAPITAL PUNISHMENT The Problem of Capital Punishment Charles W Lortz Kaplan University CM220-T The Problem of Capital Punishment The issue of capital punishment is a troublesome topic that encompasses many moral and empirical aspects of human justice. Ultimately, the key issue regarding the death penalty is as follows: is the death penalty as appropriate form of punishment for the United States of America’s judicial system to impose? This key issue incorporates the empirical and moral claims of those both for and against capital punishment in America. The main empirical issues center on whether or not the death penalty is imposed with bias, whether it serves as deterrence for future crimes, and whether it is an economically beneficial option for the country. Moral concerns include the idea of justice being “an eye for an eye,” whether or not capital punishment is “playing God,” and if the death penalty is a cruel and unusual form of punishment. The position we recommend to our legislators is opposition to capital punishment because evidence demonstrates that it is biased, unjust, fails to deter crime, is not cost effective, and cruel and unusual government action. The death penalty in America dates back to the colonial period. Its use was fragmented at best throughout the colonies and eventually the states, with each state having its own laws concerning the use of capital punishment. As long as it has existed in the United States, there has been controversy...
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...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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...CAPITAL PUNISHMENT Capital Punishment deters murder, and is just Retribution Capital punishment, is the execution of criminals by the state, for committing crimes, regarded so heinous, that this is the only acceptable punishment. Capital punishment does not only lower the murder rate, but it's value as retribution alone is a good reason for handing out death sentences. Support for the death penalty in the U.S. has risen to an average of 80% according to an article written by Richard Worsnop, entitled "Death penalty debate centres on Retribution", this figure is slightly lower in Canada where support for the death penalty is at 72% of the population over 18 years of age, as stated in article by Kirk Makir, in the March 26, 1987 edition of the Globe and Mail, titled "B.C. MPs split on Death Penalty". The death penalty deters murder by putting the fear of death into would be killers. A person is less likely to do something, if he or she thinks that harm will come to him. Another way the death penalty deters murder, is the fact that if the killer is dead, he will not be able to kill again. Most supporters of the death penalty feel that offenders should be punished for their crimes, and that it does not matter whether it will deter the crime rate. Supporters of the death penalty are in favour of making examples out of...
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...The death penalty is something that many people do not have a clear decision on. Many people support the death penalty, while others wish for the death penalty to be abolished, and there are some that support the death penalty, but only in certain cases. My personal opinion on the death penalty is it should be administered only in cases of particularly cruel crimes, or serial crimes such as serial murder. Groups that support the death penalty often say that is a deterrent for future criminals who are thinking of committing murders or other heinous crimes. I disagree with this statement because criminals do not think of the consequences of their actions when they are committing a crime, nor do they care. Amnesty International, which opposes the death penalty, reports that scientific studies have not produced any conclusive evidence showing that capital punishment is a deterrent for future crimes to be committed. I believe the only deterrent for a murderer to not commit a crime again would be execution. Various people who are opposed to the death penalty say that capital punishment condemns the innocent to die. According Amendment V in the United States Bill of Rights, “No person shall be held to answer for a capital crime, or otherwise infamous crime unless on a presentment of an indictment of a grand jury” (except in military cases). While it is true that a few innocent people have “slipped through the cracks” of the justice system and been convicted and executed unfairly...
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...July 31, 2013 Abstract This document explore the advance and disadvantages of the death penalty in the United States. The death penalty has been used by many countries including Europe in the early years of society. In addition, during the years, death penalty has been an option to suppress those who are not so privilege in society. The death penalty crime in those areas, where the Capital punishment is permitted those states are in a higher crime rate. The American Civil Liberties Union has been one of the most important organization in the world in support of many human rights and are against the death penalty. Since, the American Civil Liberties Union gives us; some of the reasons that helps to understand why this punishment does not help to minimize crimes in our society. Although, many lawyers are use or put on the cases to help those in need to be free, there has been many of those lawyers who if they are not paid a good amount of money they will not work hard enough to get them what they deserve which is their liberty. Christianity has not been in support of the death penalty at all and it has been working against the destruction of human beings using the bible as their back up and the Holy Ghost who change people hearts. The death penalty is against the rights of defendant and cannot be supported from a Christian view in favor of life. In early centuries, the death penalty became a choice to deal with many crimes committed by...
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...Talking about capital punishment, it is a legal ultimate punishment in industrial for a specifically crime, and also an issue of in between controversial and dissenting in public nowadays. Capital punishment stated as death penalty, there is various form of death penalty which includes the gassing, hanging, shooting, electrocution, stoning, beheading, gas chamber, firing squad, and also comes with lethal injection. In the simplest way to define what capital punishment is, someone deprive his or her life. In my opinion, I think that capital punishment is considered as inhuman, cruel, an unfair cold blooded way of punishment, because it against the most basic of human rights. Well, to define what is basic of human rights, it can be explains that every people have the basic rights to be freedom and live, we have the rights to do the right things with the regardless of consequences in nationality or other more status. Nevertheless, although death penalty is executed for murders, but it is not the reason for government approval in use as legality, due the capital punishment destruction and also breaks the rules in order to protect the human rights. Therefore, I strongly agreed that capital punishment is brutal and it should be abolished. First and foremost, there are several arguments to put forward. Results in a system show that the necessity of legal and moral belief errors that must be kill some innocent victims. Death penalty deterrent people ineffectively especially when those...
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...CAPITAL PUNISHMENT Purpose: I am here to convince you that capital punishment is not the answer to our problems for convicted murderers in our country. Thesis: Death is such a harsh word, should a life be taken for someone that takes a life or commit a serious crime? I. Introduction A. Greeting your audience: Good afternoon to everyone, my name is Bryant Walker and I will be conducting a speech on Capital Punishment. B. Attention grabber: Is Capital Punishment worth it? Is it Legal? Is it the right solution? C. Credibility statement: My uncle has worked in law enforcement for many years and I have always been interested in the law and those sentenced to die for the crimes they are convicted of. D. Thesis statement: Death is such a harsh word, should we have the right to take a life from someone that takes a life or commit a serious crime? E. Preview of main points: 1. First, I will discuss if capital punishment deter crime. 2. Second, I will discuss death penalty statistics. 3. Finally, I will discuss the cost for keeping a person alive vs. the cost of a death sentence. Transition: First, I will discuss, if capital punishment deter crime in our Country. II. Body 1. Main point 1: Capital punishment does not deter crime. 2. Subordinate point: Historical figures for murders vs. executions. ...
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...Name Tutor Course Date Federal Death Penalty Law Death penalty is advocated for by the state legislature or congress in cases of murder and certain capital crimes. A ruling from the Supreme Court rules that the death penalty does not violate the Eighth Amendment’s ban regarding unusual and cruel punishment. However, the Eighth Amendment shapes the procedures to be employed by the jury regarding the use of the death penalty. According to the U.S. Supreme Court’s law, a penalty given to the defendant should be proportional to the kind of crime committed. Contrary to this, the punishment will have violated the Eighth Amendment, which is against unusual and cruel punishment (U.S. Department of Justice 3). The Supreme Court has to consider a number of factors in determining whether a death penalty is the appropriate penalty in the case. First, the court has to consider the gravity and severity of the penalty. Second, the court has to consider the jurisdiction under which other criminals are punished. Finally, the court has to consider the jurisdiction under which the same crime cases are punished. The defendant is granted a death sentence penalty in certain circumstances. First, in the event that he/she is charged guilty of a crime committed and capital sentence is the only legal authorized sanction. Second, if the defendant is found guilty of intentionally killing the victim. Finally, if the case presents several aggravating factors that feature in the statutory list...
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...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…………………………………………………………………………..4 Background and Significance…………………………………………………….....5 Michigan Connection………………………………………………………………...8 Literature Review…………………………………………………………………..12 Results/Summary.......................................................................................................25 Cited Works………………………………………………………………………...29 4 Introduction Capital punishment is the imposition of the death...
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...Viewpoints Essay Andrea Counts Professor Lincoln Schreiber Critical Thinking May 3, 2015 Capital punishment, or the death penalty, is the punishment for a crime by death ("legal definition of capital punishment," n.d.). It is usually administered via the use of lethal injection for heinous crimes such as murder and other serial offenses. I am a defendant of capital punishment for several different reasons, which are detailed in this assignment. One of the main premises that support my position as a defendant of the death penalty is the separation of church and state ("Should the death penalty be allowed?" n.d.). Many opponents of the death penalty contend that it is an immoral act, as it essentially murder and that murder is inherently wrong. This viewpoint is flawed due to the fact that the United States is a country that believes in separation of church and state. Murder is a sin in many religions, but religion cannot play a role in how punishment for crime is carried out, nor is there anything in the constitution asserting that the death penalty as a form of punishment is against any civil liberties afforded to the citizens of this country. The death penalty is reserved for and carried out on the worst of the worst ("Should the death penalty be allowed?" n.d.). I agree with this premise and it goes back to my original statement in which I said the death penalty is used as punishment for those who have committed heinous crimes. There are those who commit crimes so unthinkable...
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