What happens when someone breaks into another person's car? They go to jail and get deprived from their American freedom as a punishment for breaking the law but eventually under the right circumstances get let out of prison and get their freedom back. But when someone commits murder and gets the death penalty, they don't get another chance to correct themselves in the real world again and never regain their freedom. Whether if they spend the rest of their life in jail or get capital punishment, there is no lesson to learn but simply death. American Civil Liberties Union states "There is no credible evidence that the death penalty deters crime more effectively than long terms of imprisonment. States that have death penalty laws do not have lower crime rates or murder rates than states without such laws " (American Civil Liberties Union). This is going to be a controversial question that might one day be answered but as of today's society, in 35 states in the United States, the rule stands that first degree murder is punished by capital punishment as ruled in the 8th amendment. .
One of the best feelings in court is knowing that justice has been served which is another reason that capital punishment still exists today. It also provides closure for the victim and their family. Marty Price, whose father murdered his step-mother, step-sister and whose nephew was murdered in the line of duty stated "As strange as it sounds, his anger taught me perseverance, his lack of self-control taught me the value of self-discipline, his alcoholism taught me to take care of and respect my body, and his hatred taught me to love " (Marty Price). It's amazing to think that the death of someone could actually teach you so many life values than what you already know. Capital punishment not only serves for an icon of justice but it also helps heal the broken hearted and lets them know that the murder learned the ultimate punishment, death, and for some that could be the foundation for rebuilding their lives again.
