Capital Punishment And Death Penalty
analytical Essay
2563 words
One of the major problems many have with capital punishment is the cost. Death penalty trials are very complicated with many important parts, and as a result the death penalty is extremely expensive. Studies have shown that a “death-penalty trial costs $1 million more than one in which prosecutors seek life without parole (Barnes 1 of 2).” Duke University studied North Carolina’s death penalty and found that the state spent more, $2.1 million dollars more, on a death penalty case than a case seeking a life sentence (Barnes 1 of 2). Between 1995 and 2004, New York spent over $170 million dollars without executing a single prisoner (Costs 3 of 5). Death row prisoners are deemed dangerous to society and other prisoners, and so they are classified as maximum custody. This means that they are kept in a cell by themselves. Keeping prisoners on death row costs $90,000 more per year than regular confinement due to single cell housing and the extra guards that are needed in those prisons (Barnes 2 of 2). Security for the death row inmates is greatly increased which adds about 100,000 dollars to the cost of incarcerating each death row prisoner (Williams 1 of 2). California’s 714 capital prisoners cost $184 million more per year than those sentenced to life without parole. Capital crime cases have many aspects which increases the cost. Qualified lawyers are needed to work on these cases, and due to the limited amount of capable attorneys, the prisoners are forced to wait to have an attorney assigned to their case (Williams 2 of 2). These special state appointed attorneys cost the state up to $300,000 to represent each death row inmate on appeal (Williams 1 of 2). The long wait drives up the cost of the case along with the increase of time ...
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... execute should not be made lightly, and tests should be done to ensure the right person is being punished for the crime that was committed. Taking away the person’s life who is responsible for the death of another person cannot bring the victim back and does not solve anything. Various people all over the world believe that the death penalty should not be supported and that it should be abolished. Many reasons exist for the abolition of the death penalty to take place including cost issues, religious issues, whether or not it acts as a deterrent, executing innocents and the harshness of the execution. Some may say the people who committed the most heinous crimes deserve to have justice served to them. However, even murderers are humans and should be treated fairly and justly. All people, even the guilty have a right to live; regardless of the crimes they committed.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the cost of capital punishment is a major problem. death-penalty trials cost $1 million more than life without parole cases.
- Analyzes how the cost of the death penalty is a major factor in the debate against capital punishment.
- Explains that religion is a major part of the debate surrounding the death penalty.
- Explains that although some religions support the death penalty, many others don't. modern society has other ways to punish those who need it.
- Explains that the death penalty is a major problem for many people. studies show that each execution deters an average of eighteen murders.
- Argues that the evidence that supports the claims of executions successfully deterring crime is weak and inconclusive.
- Explains that many people have been proven to be innocent during the time the death penalty has been allowed. mistakes are an irreversible act and can cost people their lives.
- Opines that people who were exonerated were released from death row as a result of dna testing. curtis mccarty was wrongfully accused of murder and rape, but his innocence was proven too late.
- Argues that the death penalty should be outlawed because of its unconstitutional methods of execution.
- Opines that retribution is a horrible and wrong reason to justify executions of death row prisoners.
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- The Death Penaltyopinion essayThe cost of the Death Penalty is highly expensive. A case to put someone in jail costs on average two million three hundred thousand dollars on average while to put an inmate in jail for forty years cost on average seven hundred and sixty thousand dollars (Friedman 11). In Texas the death penalty cost three times more money than putting an inmate in the highest security level in a jail for forty years (4). It also takes time for a death penalty case to be processed and a convict to be sentenced to the death penalty. Then it takes more time for the state to act and to administer the death penalty to people on death row. On average it takes ten to twenty years to execute a convicted criminal on death row (Friedman 11). Costs could be lowered by shortening the appeal process but this would only increase the risk of executing an innocent person.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that the death penalty should be abolished in every state in the united states, since it wastes tax money, is inhumane, and is largely unnecessary.
- Compares the cost of the death penalty in texas and the time it takes for the state to administer it to people on death row.
- Opines that the death penalty is inhumane and the eighth amendment in the united states constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment of a person.
- Explains that since the death penalty was reinstated, nine death row inmates were exonerated after courts overturned convictions because of lack of evidence.
- Opines that the united states is in violation of the un by having the death penalty and is the only member of nato with it.
- Explains that there are many cruel and unusual ways of executing the death penalty, such as electrocution and lethal injection.
- Explains that the death penalty does not deter crime in the united states like some would think it would do. lynn pasquerella studies show that murder rates go up after an execution.
- Argues that if the united states justice system cannot prove that every inmate gets the same fair treatment then the death penalty should be abolished.
- Opines that the use of the death penalty is slowly becoming less and less common across the united states.
- Argues that the death penalty is a waste of taxpayer's time and money and should be abolished in every state across the united states.
- Quotes lauri friedman and gary egeberg when he states, "capital punishment is not only murder. it is killing someone who is made in the image of god."
- Cites burger, warren, and friedman, lauri. the death penalty violates human dignity.
- Opines that economics plays a role in the death penalty, and that the study circle resource center of the topsfield foundation has statistics of death sentences.
1561 wordsRead More - Persuasive Essay On Capital Punishmentargumentative essayAs many people begin to examine the debate of whether or not the death penalty should be inflicted upon those who commit such heinous crimes in the United States, are finding flaws in the system. One of those flaws being that the cost of executing someone on death row is much higher than someone sentenced to life-without-parole. This may come as a shock to many people due to the fact that it costs a sufficient amount of money to provide food, shelter, and security to the people sentenced to a lifetime in prison. This forces much of society to question whether such funds
In this essay, the author
- Explains that randy steidl was convicted of the murder of dyke and karen rhoads in 1986. he was freed after being framed through fabricated testimony to keep the real killer hidden from the police.
- Explains that the cost of executing someone on death row is much higher than someone sentenced to life-without-parole.
- Explains that the government is constantly fighting over where money should and should not be spent, especially with the rising population and lifespan of the general population.
- Explains that florida's death penalty costs six times as much as a life sentence, while north carolina could save $11 million per year by abolishing it.
- Concludes that capital punishment is a waste of government funds, is not cost effective, and can lead to mistakes and violate rights.
- Explains that cameron todd willingham was executed for the purported killing of his three daughters by intentionally setting fire to their house in the state of texas.
- Argues that capital punishment would render unconstitutional in situations where one ends up being innocent. the declaration of independence states that one cannot be 100% certain of one's innocence or guilt.
1286 wordsRead More - Pros And Cons Of The Death Penalty Essayexplanatory essayThe cost of the death penalty is extraordinary. California has spent more than $4 billion administering the death penalty since 1978, or more than $300 million per person for each of the 13 people who have been executed since the death penalty was reinstated. Conversely, it costs approximately $200,000 to $300,000 to convict and sentence an individual to life without the possibility of parole. If those sentenced to death received life sentences instead, we accomplish the same deterrent effect of the death penalty: criminals remain off the streets for the rest of their lives. The money saved could be spent on improving the criminal justice system such as increasing
In this essay, the author
- Opines that killing a person for their crime is just revenge for the families they harmed.
- Explains that the history of the death penalty is a long and brutal one. from stoning and crucifixion killings in the b.c. era to electric chair and lethal injection, governments have sentenced people to death for thousands of years.
- Explains that while most of the free world has abolished the death penalty, many states within this country continue to use capital punishment in their criminal justice systems.
- Explains that the most common method of execution among states with the death penalty is lethal injection, which is authorized by 35 states, as well as the u.s. military and the us government.
- Explains that the cost of the death penalty is extraordinary. it costs approximately $200,000 to $300,000 to convict and sentence an individual to life without parole.
- Opines that if we did away with the death penalty, it would save us tax payers alot of money and that could go towards what our state needs.
- Explains that there are many moral arguments against the death penalty, which should make us think twice about our reasons for supporting it.
701 wordsRead More - The Pros And Cons Of The Death Penaltyanalytical essayThus, many groups of people are involved in a death penalty case. However, other also equally important factors are also involved, such as money and time. Each state varies in amount expended towards death penalty and life imprisonment. However, in Texas, the state with the highest capital punishment rates in the United States alone, it is stated that each individual in a death penalty case “costs taxpayers about $2.3 million. That is about three times the cost of imprisoning someone in a single cell at the highest security level for 40 years.” This is one detail that those opposing death penalty implement in their argument to abolish said act. Another factor is time invested in these cases. Most death penalty cases range from 6 to 10 years, factoring death row and other complications. Thus, the more time invested in determining guilt or innocence, the more money of taxpayers are being consumed. However, as depleting as it is, there is a good reason for. They take so long because they are trying to avoid as many mistakes as possible, meaning they don’t wanted to convict or even worse execute an innocent person wrongly accused or framed for a
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the controversy surrounding the death penalty, stating that the 8th amendment prohibits people from suffering from a certain type of punishment.
- Explains that the supreme court, the legislative court and the families of both parties are involved in a death penalty case.
- Explains that each state or country has its preferred method of execution, but in the united states, lethal injection is most common.
- Explains that the death penalty remains an issue of discussion in the united states. dylann roof, a 57-year-old black man convicted of robbing and murdering, with 2 other accomplices, is being reconsidered due to mitigating factors.
- Explains that capital punishment was abolished in 1972 after the supreme court of george reviewed the case of furman v. georgia.
- Explains that although clemency is rare in death penalty cases, there are occasional ones.
- Explains that the controversy of death penalty isn't just in the united states, but other countries also have death penalties.
- Opines that the 8th amendment is vague and ambiguous, and that it is up to the country, state, or jury to decide which actions are most appropriate for the person who committed the crime.
2142 wordsRead More - Capital Punishment in Americaopinion essayHopefully I’ve made the point that the death penalty is useless except for delivering some sort of closure to a victims’ loved ones, through this type of closure is morally wrong, and can be achieved through life imprisonment of the murderer. And because capital punishment is not an effective deterrent, because life imprisonment is a better option, and because the innocent wouldn’t have to die; capital punishment should be abolished.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that capital punishment should be allowed as it is today, or abolished in part or in whole.
- Opines that capital punishment is morally unjust and violates our right to life.
- Opines that society must determine whether the risk of wrongly executing an innocent person is worth taking to reap the benefits of executions of convicted murderers.
- Explains that deterrence is used as a justification for capital punishment. however, some research suggests that state executions may increase the number of homicides.
- Explains that life imprisonment can be worse than death for many convicted murderers because they will have to live out their lives without many of the freedoms and rights they take for granted.
- Explains that 70 countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes, while 23 haven't reintroduced it.
1170 wordsRead More - The United States should dispose of the death penalty due to the astronomical price it costs taxpayers to execute a prisoner. It is sometimes suggested that abolishing capital punishment is unfair to the taxpayer, as though life imprisonment were obviously more expensive than executions. If one takes into account all of the relevant costs, the reverse is true. The death penalty is not now, nor has it ever been, a more economical alternative to life imprisonment. A murderer trial normally takes much longer when the death penalty is at issue than when it is not. Litigation costs- including the time of the judges, prosecutors, public defenders, and court reporters are all borne by the taxpayer. Florida, with one of the nations largest death rows, is a ...
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the united states of america should abolish capital punishment because of its high cost and lack of deterrence.
- Argues that abolishing capital punishment is unfair to the taxpayer, as though life imprisonment was obviously more expensive than executions.
- Argues that the threat of executions deters capital crimes more effectively than imprisonment, but the facts do not support it.
- Argues that life imprisonment with no possibility of parole is an equally effective, cheaper, and more humane way to punish capital criminals.
684 wordsRead More - Pros And Cons Of The Death Penaltyanalytical essayWhen a cold blooded murderer terminates the life of another human, his life also becomes valueless. Murderers have no right to live since they chose to kill someone, which means that the government can also end their lives. Opponents of the death penalty said that it is too cruel, but it is not, since the punishment is similar to the murderers’ actions. The death penalty should continue to be imposed, because it protects innocent lives, it is constitutional, and with new DNA technology there will be solid evidence to back up an execution.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the death penalty should continue to be imposed because it protects innocent lives, is constitutional, and with new dna technology there will be solid evidence to back up an execution.
- Analyzes how the tison brothers escaped from the arizona state prison after their father, gary, killed a prison guard.
- Explains that the death penalty cannot be abolished, since it is the worst punishment for brutal killers.
- Explains that the 8th amendment protects criminals from cruel and unusual punishments. in 1972, the supreme court ruled in furman vs georgia unconstitutional. public polls show that 56% of the public support the death penalty.
- Argues that the death penalty should not be abolished since it insures public safety, supported by the justice system.
1296 wordsRead More - The Pros And Cons Of Capital Punishmentargumentative essayCases in which the death penalty is gone after are more expensive and take more time to solve than non capital cases. “Even when a trial wasn’t necessary, those cases where the death penalty was sought still cost about twice as much as those where death was not sought” (Erb 1). The added money is due to legal representation, enhanced security for death row, and the costs it takes to go through the motions of a trial such as this. "The additional cost of confining an inmate to death row, as compared to the maximum security prisons where those sentenced to life without possibility of parole ordinarily serve their sentences, is $90,000 per year per inmate” (The Death Penalty 8). With California’s current death row (670) this would generate $63.3 million dollars per year. This is important because it shows factual stats about how much these cases cost vs regular cases and how much money could be saved if the death penalty was eliminated. These statistics show my thesis is correct because the high costs are one of the reasons why the death penalty might be
In this essay, the author
- Argues that capital punishment in the united states is a highly debated topic. the death penalty has many issues that can't be resolved, proving it should be eliminated.
- Describes how a man who was put on death row wrongly stayed there for 3 years before the case was overturned. dna evidence is only obtained in approximately 15% of the cases.
- Opines that dna testing is a lifesaver for wrongly convicted criminals, and that the justice system leading up to capital punishment has many errors in the way they convict people.
- Explains that a judge ruled that california's three-drug cocktail could be cruel and unusual punishment if the drugs failed to do their job and kill painlessly and quickly.
- Compares the costs of capital punishment with non-capital cases and argues that the high costs are one of the reasons why the death penalty might be questioned.
- Compares how much money the state of florida could save if they opted out of capital punishment. the national debt is always a hot topic.
1209 wordsRead More - Just Kill 'Em?analytical essayA common argument for the death penalty is the idea of “an eye for an eye.” If someone commits murder then they should be killed as a punishment, but how much are we willing to pay for this way of thinking? An eye for an eye comes with a large price tag. According to an article in the California Law Review, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Northern California did a study to see how much California was spending on the death penalty. The ACLU found out that taxpayers spend “$117 million per year seeking execution of the people currently on death row. This number amounts over time to $4 billion more that the state would have spent if these inmates had been sentenced to life without parole” (Colon, 1380). Author Sara Colon also mentions that considering the “current fiscal crisis” in California, “the costs of capital punishment seem prohibited” (Colon, 1380). We could have used those $4 billion dollars on other things like welfare programs, health care, or putting that money into colleges for young people’s education.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that the death penalty should not be used in the united states because it is too expensive, affects the poor and minorities more than others, and does not deter crime.
- Analyzes how the american civil liberties union (aclu) of northern california did a study to see how much california was spending on the death penalty.
- Analyzes how california is not helping with all the budget cuts and not spending as much money on education as it does on prisons and punishing criminals. this is an example of how we don't have our priorities straight.
- Opines that the money in california, texas, and the united states can be better spent.
- Argues that the death penalty disproportionally affects minorities, especially hispanics and african americans.
- Argues that stereotypes have no place in the courtroom when men and women are trying to get a fair trial.
- Opines that the death penalty is causing innocent people to be executed.
- Argues that even some police officers and police chiefs agree that the death penalty does not deter crime.
- Opines that the death penalty does not deter crime in states with higher murder rates.
- Opines that people should reconsider supporting capital punishment. if the death penalty were abolished, the united states would save millions of dollars a year, and minorities would not be unequally targeted and evicted.
- Cites bunn, gena, and goldberg on the texas death penalty.
- Introduces dezhbakhsh, hashem, paul h. rubin, and joanna m. shepherd to does capital punishment deter crime?
- Analyzes jost's "death penalty debates." cq researcher 19 nov. 2010: 965-88. love, a. david.
1425 wordsRead More - Persuasive Essay On The Death Penaltyanalytical essayAs of present prison networks across the United States have ceased being entities under the control of the government, and have gone into the hands of private, profit-seeking proprietors. Why? Put simply, overcrowding. Prisons have met carrying capacities and have exhausted their resources on individuals, many of whom, should not have been afforded the luxury of life to begin with. However, in hindsight, it is factually and numerically lowered priced to keep a death-row inmate alive rather than proceeding with the expected execution: “A death sentence costs at least twice as much, start to finish, than a sentence of life without parole, according to a Maryland study. The Bar Association study pegged the cost here of prosecution, defense and appeals at nearly $800,000 more for a death penalty. Most of that cost is borne by counties. In King County, taxpayers have spent about $10 million on two pending death-penalty cases — and neither have even gone to trial. Smaller counties have been threatened with bankruptcy by the cost of death-penalty cases. The cost of lifetime imprisonment pales in comparison, and ensures the same level of public safety. The Legislature’s fiscal staff estimated that abolishing the death penalty required adding just two prison beds” (Riley et al. 3). Whilst it may be true that keeping an inmate alive
In this essay, the author
- Opines that capital punishment should remain an aspect of the united states' justice system as to efflux morality to victims rather than criminals and counter the unseen proportions of prison overpopulation
- Argues that eliminating the death penalty in america is a transgression of human and moral law. the houston republican precinct chairman pat monks knows the affliction of witnessing the exemption of the capital sentence.
- Argues that the harshness of sensibility imposed by the death penalty is one unmatched by any other acclaimed deterrent.
- Argues that conflicts stemming from not utilizing the death penalty have led to major changes in the justice system, for better or worse.
- Concludes that the death penalty, the capital sentence, has been and again reinstated as law.
1013 wordsRead More - Persuasive Essay Against Capital Punishmentanalytical essayOne cannot deny that maintaining the prisoners with food, health care and other basic needs is expensive, but the long and complex judicial process makes the capital punishment more expensive. The cost of defense and prosecution of the prisoner with the death penalty is almost three times higher than that of non- death penalty prisoner. Each year, hundreds of million dollars are spent on the death penalty cases which could be better be used in providing support to the victims’ families. It also directly affects the economy of government. The cost of death penalty are different according to the states, California being the most expensive state. According to the fact sheet organized by Death Penalty Information Center, the cost of the death penalty in California has totaled over four billion dollars since 1978 and if the Governor commuted the sentences of those remaining on death row to life parole, it would result in an immediate savings of 170 million dollars per year, with the savings of 5 billion dollars over the next 20 years (“Costs of Death Penalty”, 2010). Besides that, the provision death penalty is discriminated against the poor because they cannot afford effective, high powered lawyers. Hundreds of people are put to death across the USA every year, the evidence suggests that the poorest are paying the highest price. A study found that the average cost of defending a
In this essay, the author
- Argues that capital punishment should be abolished because it is expensive to execute. the cost of defense and prosecution of the prisoner with the death penalty is almost three times higher than that of non-death penalty prisoners.
- Opines that capital punishment should be abolished because it is irreversible and the risk of executing innocent people is always present.
- Explains that life imprisonment without parole is a better alternative to capital punishment because criminals would be penalized with the harsh punishment for their heinous deeds without violating human rights.
- Opines that the death penalty is morally wrong and civilized people should not choose it.
- Argues that capital punishment should be abolished because it is incompatible with human rights and is irreversible.
1522 wordsRead More - Persuasive Essay On Death Penaltyanalytical essayMany people, including some higher educated people, tend to believe that executing someone is a lot cheaper than the alternative, which is life in prison without the possibility of parole. Indeed, this thought seems like common sense. However, extensive research has been conducted that contradicts that belief. For instance, a study conducted in Maryland, in 2008, found that the state spends roughly 1.9 million dollars more per capital case, compared to non-capital cases (Warden, 2009). But how can this be some may ask. Well, the reason capital punishment costs more than life without the possibility of parole, is because death penalty cases are longer and more expensive. Because the capital punishment is an irreversible sentence, the state, or government, is required to heighten the defendant’s due process in order to decrease the chance of the defendant being innocent (DPIC). Furthermore, not only is it more expensive for the trial phase, it is also a higher price for a state to imprison death row inmates compared to other
In this essay, the author
- Opines that capital punishment should be prohibited in the united states.
- Argues that capital punishment costs more than life in prison without the possibility of parole, because it is an irreversible sentence.
- Argues that people think capital punishment deters crime, but studies show no correlation between it and deterrence.
- Analyzes how racial biases influenced capital cases. mccleskey appealed his sentence to the supreme court on the grounds that the death penalty is inconsistent.
- Explains that the most fearful aspect of capital punishment is the possibility of the state or government executing the wrong person.
2435 wordsRead More - The Moral, Legal, and Economical Aspects of Capital Punishmentanalytical essayCapital punishment has long been a topic for heated debate throughout the United States of America and the civilized world. For many politicians, the death penalty has been a key pillar to winning a state or election; and, to some extent, politics have been a key influence in America’s justice system. Many nations have outlawed capital punishment, with the United States included between 1972 and 1976. In the United States, there has been a renewed movement for this “eye for an eye” method, citing such arguments as “deterrence” and “victims’ rights.” This movement begs a single question – is there any economical, legal, or statistical support for the ultimate punishment? This article will strive to answer that question by evaluating several key issues (be they supporting or otherwise) concerning capital punishment – the legitimacy of ‘deterrence,’ the legality of capital punishment under the Eighth Amendment’s “cruel and unusual punishment” clause, and the cost associated with putting a man to death in relation to the cost associated with life imprisonment.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that capital punishment has long been a topic for heated debate throughout the united states of america and the civilized world.
- Explains that the eighth amendment to the united states constitution states, "excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed.
- Argues that retribution can never be a justification for capital punishment.
- Argues that life imprisonment is more expensive than the death penalty, citing a survey of kentucky college freshmen.
- Analyzes how the deterrence theory and the brutalization effect garner wide support from criminology experts.
- Concludes that the death penalty is not the answer to the various problems of crime and the criminal justice system.
- Explains blais, jacqueline, and brennan, william. the united states. gregg v. georgia, 428 u.s.
- States marshall, thurgood, and ronald l. akers' views on the death penalty.
1500 wordsRead More - Persuasive Essay On Death Penaltyopinion essayNext I will explain how long it takes for a person to be executed on death row. In 1953 the percentage of death row inmates executed was nearly 50%, by 1966 it plummeted to 0.25% and stayed between 0.24% and 2.77% until 1999. For the next 10 years it stayed under 2%. (There is no more information past 2009.) (DEATH ROW INMATE EXECUTIONS, 1953-2009) Normally people spend nearly a decade waiting to be executed. In most cases it takes so long to be executed because they they have too many appeals. Nobody wants to kill an innocent person, but I believe after they are proven guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt they should not get umpteenthousand appeals. If you get one or two, maybe, because the jury could have made a mistake but after so many appeals, you should be out of chances. On average a prisoner on death row takes about $90,000 more than a general prisoner, annually. This includes all of their appeals and the room and board on top of food, and the extra care and enhanced security. ( We wouldn 't need all of this if we just killed them to begin with). There are 714 prisoners on death row in california alone, that is nearly $64,260,000 more a
In this essay, the author
- Explains how death row inmates are executed, and why they deserve the death penalty.
- Argues that the death penalty should be used for violent offenders because of the amount of money spent on their food and care.
- Explains that california spends an additional $184 million on security, capital trials, and legal representation. by 2030, the cost of the death penalty will be nearly $9 billion per prisoner.
- Opines that a sentence of life without parole is cheaper to taxpayers and keeps violent offenders off the streets for good.
- Opines that espionage, treason, murder, kidnapping, child molestation, and child abuse should be added to the death row list.
- Opines that if we were consistant with our punishments and put all of them on death row, america would be a safer place.
- Opines that if there was death penalty for rape or child molestation, there wouldn't be so many perverts willing to raped people.
- Explains that the median age of victims of convicted sex offenders is 13 years old, which is ridiculous. approximately 4,300 child molesters in 15 states were released from imprisonment.
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