James Liebman released the first phase of their study on the death penalty in the United States. ... In the early 1970's, the chief argument in favor of the death penalty was its assumed deterrence of crime. ... Unfortunately, retribution is a non-empirical justification and thus makes it impossible to test with empirical data, making the calculation of how much punishment a criminal "deserves" more of a moral issue than of a legal one (Radelet and Borg 2000). ... The article alone does not provide enough evidence that the death penalty system is flawed. ... The slight downward trend ...

• Word Count: 1333
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Justice O'Connor concurred, but pointed out that Oklahoma's death penalty statute set no minimum age at which the death penalty could be imposed. ... In both cases, the Supreme Court upheld the death penalty sentence. ... The Stanford plurality rejected the third part of the test, namely, that the punishment is disproportionate to the severity of the crime and makes no measurable contribution to the deterrence of crime. ... There are currently 83 death row inmates (all male) sentenced as juveniles constituting about 2.25% of the total death row population. ... - They are on death...

• Word Count: 2175
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In January 2000, thirteen innocent people were discovered on death row. ... Death is permanent, forever, and irreversible. Forensic evidence is now much more scientific with the use of DNA testing. ... Unfortunately, many states do not offer DNA testing, and little evidence is available. ... Although many scientific methods have been advanced, such as DNA testing and forensic studies, witnesses are still regarded highly although their memories may have been traumatically distorted, or they may just be plainly lying. ...

• Word Count: 977
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Should the United States abolish the death penalty due to the enormous financial deficit that comes with keeping someone on death row? ... We have come along way with technological advancements with evidence, such as DNA testing. It's not too long ago where science has evolved where scientists have perfected DNA testing in reference to murder and homicide cases. It's unfortunate for those innocent people who have been executed before DNA testing was discovered. But as for now there have been several cases where DNA testing has ruled out those convicted and sentenced for a crime they...

• Word Count: 2043
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Capital punishment is punishment by death for committing a crime. ... The court had banned the death penalty as it was then imposed. ... Once abolished, the death penalty is seldom reintroduced. ... Rakoff, a New York Judge, made this decision at a time where DNA testing and other technological advancements flourish in the court of law to help inmates challenge rulings and convictions. It was reported in the USA Today that because of DNA testing, 12 death-row inmates have been freed. ...

• Word Count: 1346
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The issue has received additional scrutiny recently due to modern day scientific advances, specifically the advance in the availability of and the precision of DNA testing. ... They also show that public opinion changes when a sentencing alternative is suggested, "When given an explicit alternative to the death penalty- life imprisonment with no chance for parole- the percentage of Americans favoring the death penalty drops to near 50 percent." ... Ryan declared a moratorium on the executions of all Illinois death row inmates. ... The state of Illinois, facing exonerating evidence, has set ...

• Word Count: 2477
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

It can mean different things to different people depending on the circumstances, when tested against social mores and attitudes. ... Hence, Robertson's truth in Michael X on Death Row is also that of Michael, even though he was a murderer, was also human and did not deserve the cruel and inhumane punishment he received on death row. He makes the reader for sorry for Michael X, and the other inmates on death row, regardless of their crime. ... Thus in summary, the truth in Michael X on Death Row differs to the truth in The Trials of Oz. ... Roberson's other truth is that even thou...

• Word Count: 1568
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate