The death penalty dates as far back as the ancient laws of china, it is currently legal in thirty-two states, and there are five different legal methods used. It is an issue that has the United States divided, for many are supporters, and just as many are opposed. By examining the ideas of deterrence, retribution, and incapacitation, we are able to see how enforcing the death penalty will be good for the government and society. .
First of all, the punishment of the death penalty is needed to deter crime. Deterrence is the only purpose of the threats of the criminal law, therefore "legal threats of punishment would become incredible and lose their deterrent effectiveness if not carried out by actual punishment" (Capital Punishment Saves Innocent Lives). If those who were not deterred are not punished, the legal threats which helped retain those who abide by the law would be seen as false. The death penalty is an extreme punishment that creates fear in the mind of any sane person. Research shows that the death penalty deters every kind of murder that has been studied. After conducted research, "all categories of murder are deterred by the death penalty, even so-called crimes of passion. My [Shepherd's] results predict that each execution deters somewhere between 3 and 18 murders" (Shepherd). Since imposing execution as the ultimate punishment effectively deters, it must be enforced. .
Secondly, the death penalty should be used for retribution. Retribution argues the state has the right to impose a level of pain and punishment equal to or greater than the pain suffered by the victim. Not only is the death penalty a punishment for the crime committed, but a "peace of mind" for the victims' families. However, some argue this is a euphemism for vengeance, but, for example, "[how] can death by lethal injection "equal" the death by raping and strangulation or the torture of mutilation" (The Death Penalty Can Ease the Suffering of Victims' Families).