Arguments supporting capital punishment. Capital Punishment: The Death Penalty Free Essay Example 2023-01-06
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Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, is the practice of executing individuals who have been convicted of certain crimes, usually murder or treason. It is a controversial issue that has been debated for centuries, with arguments both for and against it. In this essay, we will examine some of the arguments that support the use of capital punishment.
One argument in favor of capital punishment is that it serves as a deterrent to crime. The idea is that the threat of being sentenced to death may deter individuals from committing heinous crimes, as they know the consequences of their actions could be severe. While there is some debate about the effectiveness of this deterrent effect, some studies have found that states with the death penalty do have lower rates of crime than states without it.
Another argument supporting capital punishment is that it provides justice for victims and their families. When someone is murdered or suffers a grave injustice, the punishment of the offender may bring a sense of closure and justice for the victim's loved ones. It can also send a message to society that such crimes will not be tolerated and will be met with severe consequences.
Capital punishment can also serve as a means of retribution for the offender's actions. It is believed by some that those who commit heinous crimes deserve to be punished to the fullest extent of the law, and that execution is an appropriate form of punishment for the most serious crimes.
Additionally, some argue that capital punishment is necessary in order to protect society from dangerous individuals. If someone has been convicted of a violent crime, it may be argued that they pose a threat to public safety and should be removed from society permanently.
It should be noted, however, that there are also strong arguments against the use of capital punishment. These include concerns about the potential for executing innocent people, the high costs associated with the death penalty, and the lack of evidence that it is a more effective deterrent to crime than other forms of punishment.
In conclusion, while there are arguments supporting the use of capital punishment, it is a complex and controversial issue that requires careful consideration of all the factors involved. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use the death penalty should be based on a weighing of the potential benefits and drawbacks, as well as a consideration of the values and principles of society.
Capital punishment: Pros & Cons
It is an issue that is not explicitly mentioned in our constitution, so states have been left to interpret the law. It offers zero chance of escape. Here are the capital punishment pros and cons to consider. If you would also like to contribute to my website, then do share your articles or poems at adv. Even life without parole {LWOP} sentences will only incite prisoners to kill staff or inmates or take hostages in a bid to escape. Executing a murderer will not only deter them from repeating the same crime, but also warn other murderers of their fate. As of 2019, the U.
What is the best justification for punishment? Georgia struck down all 40 death penalty statutes that were in operation at that time. Documents of authority implicitly or explicitly allow for Capital Punishment Many documents guaranteeing the right to life, either implicitly or explicitly make allowances for the Death Penalty. The tremendous amount of media coverage for such executions, plus the tendency of people turning up in large numbers to witness executions is, viewed in the above context, a beneficial one for society in general. It is referred to the opinion of the anti-capital punishment supporters, who say that the death penalty is not deterrence. Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, refers to the legal process that result to a felon who commits heinous crimes being sentenced to death by the state judicial authorities to pay for the wrongdoings that are otherwise considered extreme.
There have been a lot of controversies surrounding the capital punishment considering that some of the Bills of Rights protect individuals from such consequences. Instead, the Supreme Court found that the statutes were too arbitrary and subjective. Arguments Against Capital Punishment Now let's take a look at arguments against capital punishment. Note that several states currently have a moratorium on executions while the effectiveness of a new lethal injection concoction is investigated. As of now, I have an interest in the field of Constitutional and Family Law. Although the Supreme Court ruled in March 2005 that the death penalty for anyone under the age of 18 is cruel and unusual punishment, other countries are not bound by such a ruling.
The Moral Argument for the Death Penalty, The Atlas Society
While the main aim of the penalty is to ensure cases of homicide and high class crimes are reduced, there are no reports showing positive impact of the punishment since its implementation. This should help reassure those that feel the death penalty is barbaric or outdated. People who support the Death Penalty are not sadists, but just quietly desperate that they and their families are being overwhelmed by the rising tide of crime. Although shortages of drugs from manufacturers have created issues with executions in recent years, including people surviving the execution attempt, the process is much more compassionate than electrocution, firing squads, or hanging, which were common execution methods in the past. The Union for Reform Judaism URJ , which represents the majority of American Jews, has called for the total abolition of the death penalty since 1959. In general, criminal punishments are designed to best suit the seriousness of the crimes.
Nevertheless, the use of Capital Punishment remains one of the most debatable subjects with proponents citing solid arguments for its use, while opponents similarly postulate solid arguments against this type of punishment. They vary depending on the jurisdiction, some of which are crimes against the person such as murder, mass murder, aggravated cases of rape often including child sexual abuse , terrorism, aircraft hijacking, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, along with crimes against the state such as attempting to overthrow government, treason, sedition, and piracy, among other crimes. On the other hand, despite the controversies the penalty faces, it is relevant for the government to make use of Constitutional clauses that enable the Supreme Court to make relevant and just decisions. Incarceration rates for life sentences in the U. That is why capital punishment often applies to cases of first-degree murder or issues where the safety of an entire country was jeopardized.
Murderers threaten this safety and welfare. On the other hand, the lives of the executed goes to waste while they could be involved in improvement programs while serving a term. If they have committed a crime, they have to be brought to justice. Capital punishment is the infliction of the death penalty for a criminal offense. Naturally, as I came to deal increasingly with ethical issues, I found myself seriously questioning whether the death penalty was an effective deterrent. They argue that the legal proceedings are often stalled for years together as a result of multiple layers of appeal, which, in turn, adds to the overall cost. One important goal of criminal punishment is based on retaliation, or the historical view of 'an eye for an eye.
If we undermine or abandon proportionality, how do we then gauge whether to punish someone for a crime, and how much? It Acts as a Deterrent The foremost argument put forth by pro death penalty activists is that it serves as a deterrent for others. There is no substitute for the best defense of public safety than capital punishment, because it bars the murderer from killing again. I believe that it does more harm than good and breeds violence in society. Use discount References At the Edge of the Oath. In this regard, I find wisdom in the words of John Stuart Mill: As for what is called the failure of death punishment, who is able to judge of that? That, in fact, is the situation our utilitarian-based legal system finds itself in today. Thirdly, it prevents additional losses of lives, such as through murder by the same criminals. Introduction Capital punishment also known as Death penalty is a practice sanctioned by the state to put a person to death as a punishment for a crime.
On the contrary, the American constitution has the authority to protect both its citizens and the country from crimes that are severe and costly. The states which have the most executions also have the highest murder rates. These individuals may never be rehabilitated. No one knows this better than I do, having been dramatically converted to Christ and, subsequently, having my entire worldview turned upside-down. The argument most often cited in support of capital punishment is that the threat of execution influences criminal behavior more effectively than imprisonment does.
Jeffrey Reiman's Arguments Against Capital Punishment
Once in America, Medina nurtured dreams of upward mobility, symbolized by having a car of his own. Undoubtedly, each of them has its own background and logic. What is particularly appealing about capital punishment is that it is justified based on the principle of retribution. By helping to reduce the social costs of criminal activity as well as the apprehension and conviction costs for crime, Capital Punishment saves the money of the State and its taxpayers — such money that can be used on the more genuinely needy. From a report compiled by Justice Neil Gorsuch on behalf of the majority, the method proposed by Russell Bucklew was the use of Nitrogen gas Buckler v.
We must really think hard about pain and suffering—not that of the criminal or murderer, but that which the victim and his or her family suffered as well. Criminals should get what they deserve and should suffer for their wrong doing in an appropriate manner. They indicate the statistics of the number of executed in the total number of sentenced to capital punishment. The counterexample is that the execution of the sentenced costs society also a lot. Reproduction of the same, without permission will amount to Copyright Infringement. Researchers argue that capital punishment has deterrent effect and each execution saves lives.
