Capital Punishment loosely based assumption
Capital punishment, also referred to as the death penalty, is the judicially ordered execution of a prisoner as a punishment for a serious crime, such as murder. Currently, in the United States, capital punishment is legal; however, it continues to create controversial disputes throughout the country. The first dispute revolves around the misconception that capital punishment attempts to teach society not to kill by killing. The second argument is whether society has an obligation to enforce capital punishment; thirdly, whether the death penalty is a means of vengeance or a means of justice; lastly, one of the most controversial discussions, is whether capital punishment is considered a form of cruel and unusual punishment. Although the death penalty has its faults, I believe it to be an appropriate form of punishment suited for the heinous crime committed. Furthermore, capital punishment is the only certain sentence that guarantees the safety of future potential victims; no other punishment can assure the same outcome.
Opponents of capital punishment not only argue against the death penalty, but often ridicule the government for its continuation. One strategy is by referencing Victor Hugo, who once stated: “What says the law? You will not kill. How does it say it? By killing!” Although the statement is memorable and appealing, it is also misleading and deceptive. Capital punishment does not demonstrate the wrongfulness of killing by killing; it demonstrates the wrongfulness of killing by executing convicted murderers after a fair trial. The death penalty is enforced to illustrate that murder is intolerable: if one takes the life of an innocent human, then one will suffer th...
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...dges then conclude if the suspect is guilty and decide whether the criminal will receive the death penalty; the family does not. Therefore, the family is not seeking vengeance, merely seeking justice. In conclusion, is evident that capital punishment is a form of righteousness, not a form of vengeance. The family allowed the law to find retribution, they did not seek revenge. In summation, it is a misconception that families are able to seek vengeance through the death penalty for it is not a form of cruel and unusual punishment.
The Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment is not a form of cruel and unusual punishment in 1976.
Works Cited
Perlmutter, Martin. "Desert and Capital Punishment." Morality and Moral Controversies: Readings in Moral, Social, and Political Philosophy. Ed. John Arthur and Steven Scalet. 8th ed. NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2009. 139-4
When it comes to punishing criminals, people have a variety of ideas-especially when murder becomes a part of the discussion. Although there are plenty of options proposed, from torture to life in prison, one of the most debated methods is the death penalty. The death penalty, defined simply, is the practice of allowing the imposition of death as a punishment for those convicted of certain crimes, usually murder. While thirty-one states allow capital punishment, an argument that has been raging since the early 1970s is still going on. There are many aspects of the argument, but the two main groups involved in the argument are those in favor of the death penalty, and those opposed. Supporters of capital punishment typically believe that society
What is capital punishment? Capital punishment is defined as “The legal authorization to kill someone as a punishment for a crime.” The death penalty has been a widely debated topic on its moral standing and effectiveness of use. In this paper I will be presenting the thoughts of four people; Austin Sarat, Kent Scheidegger, Jeffrey Toobin, and my own and our perspectives on capital punishment being used.
Andre, Claire, and Manuel Velasquez. “Capital Punishment.” Our Duty or Our Doom. 12 May 2010. 30 May 2010 .
Nevertheless, there are advocates that support the death penalty, declaring that everybody would benefit, including the victim’s family, which they have
Opponents of capital punishment are outspoken and vehement in their arguments. They believe the death penalty does not does not deter crime. They also hold the opinion that endin...
There are over sixty offenses in the United States of America that can be punishable by receiving the death penalty (What is..., 1). However, many individuals believe that the death penalty is an inadequate source of punishment for any crime no matter how severe it is. The fact remains, however, that the death penalty is one of the most ideal forms of punishment. There are other individuals who agree with the idea that capital punishment is the best form of punishment. In fact, some of these individuals believe that this should be the only form of punishment.
Capital punishment is an age-old practice. It has been used in civilizations for millennia, and will continue to be used for millennia to come. Whether used for the right or wrong reasons, capital punishment is unmistakable in its various forms. From hangings, to firing squads, to lethal injections, capital punishment and the associated proceeding have evolved over time. There have been many arguments against capital punishment, many of which still hold true. As capital punishment has evolved over time, however, many of the most valid arguments have been proven all but null. Capital punishment still has its ethical and moral concerns, but as it has evolved over time these concerns have not necessarily become less valid, but fewer in number when specifically addressing capital punishment. The proceedings that come hand-in-hand with capital punishment, however, have become increasingly more rigorous and controversial and are the main focus of most capital punishment concerns.
Capital punishment permits the federal government to decide whether a human being is allowed to live o...
Reiman, Jeffrey H. “Justice, Civilization, and the Death Penalty” Philosophy and Public Affairs 14, no. 2 (Spring 1985): Princeton University Press, 1985. Print.
The death penalty continues to be an issue of controversy and is an issue that will be debated in the United States for many years to come. According to Hugo A. Bedau, the writer of “The Death Penalty in America”, capital punishment is the lawful infliction of the death penalty. The death penalty has been used since ancient times for a variety of offenses. The Bible says that death should be done to anyone who commits murder, larceny, rapes, and burglary. It appears that public debate on the death penalty has changed over the years and is still changing, but there are still some out there who are for the death penalty and will continue to believe that it’s a good punishment. I always hear a lot of people say “an eye for an eye.” Most people feel strongly that if a criminal took the life of another, their’s should be taken away as well, and I don’t see how the death penalty could deter anyone from committing crimes if your going to do the crime then at that moment your not thinking about being on death role. I don’t think they should be put to death they should just sit in a cell for the rest of their life and think about how they destroy other families. A change in views and attitudes about the death penalty are likely attributed to results from social science research. The changes suggest a gradual movement toward the eventual abolition of capital punishment in America (Radelet and Borg, 2000).
The Death Penalty has positive effects on murder victim’s families. Losing a loved one from old age, or sickness is a time of suffering that almost everyone will experience, but losing a loved one because they were brutally murdered is unexpected and much harder to overcome. Some family members take years before they fully recover from losing someone, but the death penalty can help a family work towards a quicker recovery (Messerlini 1). The murderer will not be around to haunt the victim’s family therefore, providing them with closure and a sense of safety. The major role that the death pe...
When someone is legally convicted of a capital crime, it is possible for their punishment to be execution. The Death Penalty has been a controversial topic for many years. Some believe the act of punishing a criminal by execution is completely inhumane, while others believe it is a necessary practice needed to keep our society safe. In this annotated bibliography, there are six articles that each argue on whether or not the death penalty should be illegalized. Some authors argue that the death penalty should be illegal because it does not act as a deterrent, and it negatively effects the victim’s families. Other scholar’s state that the death penalty should stay legalized because there is an overcrowding in prisons and it saves innocent’s lives. Whether or not the death penalty should be
Americans have argued over the death penalty since the early days of our country. In the United States only 38 states have capital punishment statutes. As of year ended in 1999, in Texas, the state had executed 496 prisoners since 1930. The laws in the United States have change drastically in regards to capital punishment. An example of this would be the years from 1968 to 1977 due to the nearly 10 year moratorium. During those years, the Supreme Court ruled that capital punishment violated the Eight Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. However, this ended in 1976, when the Supreme Court reversed the ruling. They stated that the punishment of sentencing one to death does not perpetually infringe the Constitution. Richard Nixon said, “Contrary to the views of some social theorists, I am convinced that the death penalty can be an effective deterrent against specific crimes.”1 Whether the case be morally, monetarily, or just pure disagreement, citizens have argued the benefits of capital punishment. While we may all want murders off the street, the problem we come to face is that is capital punishment being used for vengeance or as a deterrent.
Secondly, many believe that capital punishment is right because of the justice given to the victim’s family. These family members feel l...
Rubin, P. H. (2009). Don't scrap the death penalty. Criminology & Public Policy, 8(4), 853-859.