The Controversial Issue of the Death Penalty and.
Throughout history, capital punishment has been viewed as a highly controversial and emotional subject and almost everyone has his or her own opinions about it and I am no exception. However, current research suggests that arguments in favor and against this issue date back to the dates of the bible and now that we"re nearly two million years later, it should come as no surprise that we"re still debating this hot topic. In this paper, we will examine some of the controversies surrounding capital punishment, what it is and what it isn't, what laws if any it violates, arguments against it and of course arguments for it as well. Lastly, we will evaluate my own personal opinion and why capital punishment is "just and equitable" punishment that should defiantly be upheld for those people that perpetrate the laws.
Background.
Before we begin however, I would like to take a moment to discuss the history of this controversial topic. In fact, many researchers believe that the "controversy over capital punishment began in colonial times when, against the wishes of the English Crown, some settlements enacted only a few capital laws. Soon after the War for Independence and the adoption of the Constitution, America's death penalty debate began in earnest. Armed with the right to free speech afforded by the new democracy, and infused with a "revolutionary spirit" as well as the philosophies of the European Enlightenment, some Americans began to question whether government should have the power to end a life - even the life of a convicted criminal.".
Definition of Capital Punishment.
But, what exactly is capital punishment, the death penalty and does it violate any laws? According to Black's Law Dictionary, Capital punishment is "punishment by death for capital crimes" and they describe the death penalty as "Supreme penalty exacted as punishment for murder and other capital crimes.
The death penalty should be kept for the safety of the people. ... That is why Capital Punishment should be kept. Another reason why the death penalty should be kept is to reduce tax. ... If the death penalty was upheld it make would-be murders think twice before they kill somebody. ... Everybody should think twice about banning the death penalty....
The Death Penalty The argument for the death penalty would suggest that one who has murdered an innocent individual should not be allowed to live. ... The death penalty should be seen as a way to better our society. ... The Bible sees the death penalty as just and states why in many bible verses. ... The poll showed that over 58% of the people that participated felt the death penalty is okay and should be upheld in our society. ... These facts are alarming and clearly show that the death penalty should be enforced. ...
Capital Punishment - Death Penalty INTRODUCTION It is true that the punishment of the crimes committed everyday should fit the crime, but to what extent? ... However it was later upheld in 1977 under certain conditions. ... We aren't 100% positive that the death penalty is a deterrent to crime, so if it's not then why do we continue this horrendous act if it's not helping out the source of the problem. ... Con's There is one simple reason why juveniles should not be tried as adults, they are not adults. ... Some people feel that the punishment should fit the crime, a...
The Death Penalty The Death Penalty has always been a topic of heated controversy which separates many people because of their respective views on this subject. ... Although anyone who has been sentenced to death has done something repulsive, people who are opposed to the death penalty believe that this doesn't mean that the state should be able to take their lives. ... Of course, there are many people opposed to the death penalty, but many also support it. ... Some supporters of the death penalty speak out that you should do unto others as you want to be done to yourself. This is a ...
The Federal Government has imposed the death penalty against American Indian children for crimes they committed as young as ten years old (The National coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty). ... However, Justice Stevens dissented (joined by Justices Ginsburg and Breyer), stating that the Court should revisit the issue of the death penalty for crimes committed while under age 18(Victor, Streib). ... The US Supreme Court has upheld the use of the death penalty for youth over sixteen. There are many arguments that support the use of the death penalty for juveniles. ... Others, however,...
Mortality is never upheld by legalizing murder- said by Coretta Scott King (AIUSA). ... The death penalty is a mandatory death sentence for a certain type of crime. ... Why does the government kill people to prove that killing people is wrong? ... -The Death Penalty is a necessary tool to fight and deter crime. ... Some of the states are putting a stop on capital punishment because they feel the criminal should serve the sentence in prison. ...
The conglomeration of these factors creates a death penalty statute characterized by injustice and corruption that must be abolished. ... Georgia upheld the ruling and the death penalty was reenacted. ... The facts show irrefutable discriminatory evidence; should you kill a white person, you are more likely to face the death penalty. ... Sister Prejean points out in her book numerous times the lack of knowledge in regards to death penalty statistics and the American people. ... That's why you"re never going to find a rich person on death row" (49). ...
Other colonies declared that no act could use the death penalty as a punishment. ... Benjamin Rush, once the treasurer of the United States, influenced others in his belief that the death penalty should not be used. ... Between 1907 and 1917, nine states and Puerto Rico had abolished the death penalty. ... Kemp case in which the Supreme Court upheld that state death penalty statutes are constitutional even if they have been applied in racially biased ways. ... One question that both sides argue on is why individuals receive the death penalty. ...
With this change, more youth capital offenders are subject to death penalty sentencing. ... Debate about the use of the death penalty for juveniles has grown more intense because of the demand for harsher punishment for serious and violent juvenile offenders and challenges to the death penalty's legality. ... In this paper I will discuss the evolution of the death penalty and its application to juvenile offenders, justifications for sentencing juveniles to death row, and why proponents feel that there are other alternatives. ... Justice O'Connor concurred, but pointed out that Okla...