Pro-Death Pentally

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Recommended: Compare and contrast the death penalty and life in prison

Pro-Death Penalty

There are many studies which show the death penalty as a non-deterrent to the serious crime problem that is faced in the United States. The death penalty continues to be the most controversial sentence with over half the states re-instituting capital punishment laws since the Furman v Georgia decision in 1972. Nevertheless, even if the death penalty were no greater a deterrent than a life sentence, some people would still advocate is the only way to get rid permanently society of dangerous criminals who deserve to die. Being that the death penalty is considered a deterrent to criminal activity does it make the execution morally right or just brutal?

The death penalty is the highest capital punishment, which serves as a strong deterrent for serious crimes. While capital punishment could probably not deter mentally unstable criminals, it could have an effect on the cold, calculating murderer, such as a hired killer or someone who kills for profit. With the capital death punishment sending red flags to potential criminals, the fear of death might convince felons not to risk using handguns during armed robberies. The deterrent effect of an execution can produce a substantial decline in the murder rate. Although, some believe that a death sentence is a deterrent, others believe that it is cruel, and unusual punishment. There is not enough evidence to prove that the treat of a death sentence can convince potential murderers to forgo their criminal activity. Most murders involve people who knew each other, very often friends, and family members. Since murderers are often under the influence of alcohol or drugs or suffering severe psychological turmoil, no penalty will likely be a deterrent.

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Richard C. Dieter, E. E. (1998, 06). Retrieved April 03, 2011, from The Death Penalty in Black and White: Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Decides: http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/death-penalty-black-and-white-who-lives-who-dies-who-decides

Siegel, L. J. (2009). Retrieved April 2011, 2011, from Essentials of Criminal Justice: http://books.google.com/books?id=22eNtpc6On0C&pg=PA355&lpg=PA355&dq=.+Racism+was+particularly+blatant+when+the+death+penalty+was+invoked+in+rape+cases+90%25+of+those+receiving+death+for+rape+in+the+South+and+63%25+of+those+in+the+North,+and+West+was+black

STEWART, P. S. (1976 , March 31). Retrieved April 2, 2011, from Proffitt v. Florida (No. 75-5706): http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0428_0242_ZO.html

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