FREE Capital Punishment Essay (original) (raw)

The harshest and most severe form of punishment of all legal sentences is death. This is referred to as the death penalty, or "capital punishment" in the United States. This form of punishment requires law enforcement officers to actually kill the offender. In the United States, the death penalty is currently implemented in one of five ways: firing squad, hanging, gas chamber, electrocution, or lethal injection. It has been banned in most of the other countries of the world. In the United States, however, it has become more and more commonly used as a punishment for serious offenses, mainly murder. "Lex talionis", as mentioned in the Bible, encourages "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth". We use this principle in the legal system to justify murder through capital punishment. We have a certain privilege in our own lives but should we be allowed to decide on the rights of others as well? If we find someone guilty of murder, we sentence him to death. This makes us murders ourselves. To me, that in itself makes clear the contradiction of terms that exists in capital punishment.
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One issue that arises in the debate of capital punishment is that of the constitution. There is strong debate in the question of whether or not the method of capital punishment is even constitutional. The use of the death penalty has declined throughout the industrial western world since the 19th century. In 1972, a movement in America to have the capital punishment declared unconstitutional arose during the landmark case of Furman vs. Georgia, in which the Supreme Court ruled capital punishment as cruel and unusual punishment. Nevertheless, a Supreme Court decision in 1975 in the case of Gregg vs. Georgia stated that capital punishment did not violate the 8th amendment rights, and the executions began again under state supervision. These inconsistencies and indecisions have obviously sparked a debate (Horwitz, 124-127).

1. capital punishment

The Dilemma of Capital Punishment The definition of Capital Punishment is legal infliction of death as a penalty for violating criminal law. ... I, myself am not totally against capital punishment. ... Here I am, writing this paper and thinking of the topic,The Dilemma of Capital Punishment?. ... Now I realize why there is such a Dilemma about Capital Punishment. So many people probably have so many different opinions about capital punishment. ...

2. Capital Punishment

Should Capital Punishment stay in effect in this country? Capital punishment is the best way to set an example for would be criminals so they will see the punishment if they commit a capital crime. ... If capital punishment were used more, there would be fewer inmates on death role. ... If capital punishment were made illegal in all states, criminals would run wild because they would know that they would not receive any type of capital punishment. ... The most since capital punishment was made legal again. ...

3. Capital Punishment

Capital punishment should only be used on an individual who took another life away. ... Nonetheless, since one out of ten people who receive capital punishment are usually innocent, capital punishment should not be placed upon all the time. ... Therefore, capital punishment should not be used ALL the time, and it should be used sometimes. Capital Punishment can also be beneficial because it can help regulate the population of people placed in prisons. ... Capital punishment should be considered carefully through each individual case. ...

4. Capital Punishment

The earliest set of recorded laws for capital punishment dates back to 1700BC in the city of Babylon. ... Widespread use of capital punishment changed very little throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period. ... Capital punishment saves and protects innocent people's lives. ... The families of the victims are not alone in their support of capital punishment. Surveys show that over seventy percent of the US population supports capital punishment (Kohut). ...

5. Capital Punishment

Capital Punishment is not a simple issue that can easily be judged in black and white non-negotiable terms. ... From the reinstatement of capital punishment until present day we have had protests and arguments for and against the institution of capital punishment. ... Advocates of capital punishment argue that it serves as a deterrent and a punishment, as well as incapacitating the accused from committing future crimes. ... "Capital punishment is the ultimate denial of civil liberties. ... Governor Ryan showed bravery in admitting to the numerous mistakes made in capital punishment cases, and ...

6. Capital punishment

A strong case can be made in principle both for and against capital punishment. ... The most compelling argument against capital punishment is the risk of killing an innocent person. ... Corporal punishment, such as flogging, and extreme types of capital punishment such as burning at the stake, are no longer accepted practices because of their indignity so capital punishment should be abolished too. ... The classic lex talionis capital punishment points out several problems with this view. ... Immanual Kant says that capital punishment is not rooted in vengeance. ...

7. Capital Punishment

Capital Punishment There have been many controversies in the history of the United States. ... The questions of fact concerning capital punishment fall into three general areas: does capital punishment save money? ... There are substantial evidences that capital punishment does not deter crime. ... Nearly two-thirds of the American public favors capital punishment and Catholics are key supporters of capital punishment. ... Keyword: Capital Punishment. ...

8. Capital Punishment

Capital Punishment was first used back in the fifth century as means of punishment. ... Capital Punishment can be defined as punishable by death (Webster 86). ... Advocates of Capital Punishment began to suggest new statutes regarding what they believed could stop arbitrariness in capital punishment. ... There are lots of statistics on the Capital Punishment in America. ... Capital Punishment is a major controversial issue in the United States today. ...

9. Capital Punishment

Black's Law Dictionary defines Capital Punishment as follows: - "The Supreme penalty exacted as punishment for murder and other capital crimes." ... There is no clear evidence that capital punishment did or did not exist before Noah. ... Capital punishment when compared to supermax units definitely seem much more humane. ... Another argument for Capital Punishment is low cost and maintenance. ... In my opinion, Capital Punishment is perfectly justified. ...

10. Capital Punishment

While some people feel that Capital Punishment will not discourage crime, Capital punishment should be legalized in all states, because it is morally just and it will deter crime. ... Capital punishment is an expression of society's moral outrage at offensive conduct. ... Still, Capital Punishment is supported by many Americans. ... Many people feel Capital Punishment will not discourage crime . ... Capital Punishment should remain legalized in all states. ...

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