Capital punishment is a consequence one might have to face depending on the state, the crime and the decision of the judge or jury. We, as Americans, have chosen through our state legislatures to either enforce or restrict this type of punishment. Depending on which state or region of the United States one lives in, one might have to face capital punishment if one commits one of the designated acts of murder or rape. Capital punishment is not practiced in all states due to the different stands taken by each individual state on this topic. There are many states in favor of capital punishment, such as; South Carolina, North Carolina, New Mexico and New Hampshire. While there are also some states who oppose it, for example; Massachusetts, Minnesota, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Wisconsin and North Dakota. .
There are several reasons why a state might, or might not legislate capital punishment. Some of the reasons given for the use of capital punishment include; deterrence, punishment and or retribution and because of the notion of "doing justice." (Page 125, Punishment and the Death Penalty) Yet those who oppose capital punishment feel that it does not deter crime and that it is "unjust because it may lead to the execution of innocent people, or because the guilty, poor or disadvantaged are more likely to be executed than the guilty rich." (Page 126, Punishment and the Death Penalty).
"Whether or not the threat or use of the death penalty is, has been, or could be a deterrent to homicide is an empirical question that cannot be answered on the basis of gut feeling." This is why we must look at studies and at research by those who have tried to prove or deny the question of deterrence. The question asked by both those in favor of and those who oppose capital punishment, is whether or not it actually deters future criminal acts.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1948, promotes "the fundamental rights as the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world.