Both Sides Of Capital Punishment

Both Sides of Capital Punishment

Murder is the unlawful killing of another human being with an intentional or criminal intent. In today's world, terrible crimes are being committed daily. Many believe that these criminals deserve one fate: death. Capital punishment, the death penalty, is the maximum sentence used in punishing people who kill another human being - and is a very controversial method of punishment.

In most states, a person convicted of first degree murder has the potential to be given the death penalty. Capital punishment is a subject that can be counted upon to stir emotion and controversy into any conversation or argument. The very concept provokes a profusion of valid questions and opinions. Today's daily world of crime and violence calls for punishment of a severe nature, and many citizens argue that the punishment necessary is the death penalty. These people quote passages such as the "an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" concept from the Old Testament of the Judeo-Christian bible. Some people take the neutral position that there is no right or wrong answer, that each opinion on capital punishment is valid in its own way. Opponents of the death penalty claim that sentencing a person to death does not change the reality of the situation; the harm already done simply cannot be fixed from a vengeance standpoint. You cannot bring the murdered person back by taking the prisoner's life. Proponents of capital punishment tend to defend their opinion mainly on two grounds: death is a fitting punishment for murder, and executions maximize public safety through incapacitation and deterrence.

The view of proponents of the death penalty in reference to the "let the punishment fit the crime" ideal is that, in the eyes of many law officials and citizens of the United States, if a crime is so serious that it causes irreversible damage or the loss of human life, then the only penalty for such crimes would be death for the individual that committed this act. Many also feel that if an individual can possess the strength and will to take the life of another human being in a planned manner, then they must also in turn be able to face their punishment which could only be a punishment of the same magnitude as the crime they have committed; that being for their life to be ended for the common good. These people feel that, while it is the cruelest punishment, it is the best way to penalize heartless, cold-blooded killers.

The ideal of executions maximizing public safety through incapacitation and deterrence explains that such a punishment as the death penalty would keep callous and dangerous murderers from roaming the streets of our children and innocents. It would serve to "scare" criminals into not commiting their crime for fear of the ultimate punishment. It seems rational to think that if potential killers are aware that if they commit serious crimes they could be put to death for it, they are less likely to commit these crimes. Another strong point of this concept is the retribution and justice bestowed to society. The community demands a sense of closure, that justice be served. This is imperative for peace to be maintained. If criminals were allowed to get away with such a serious crime as the taking of human life, fear and chaos would rule. A sentence of life in prison is not substantial enough. The government must be trusted to permanently protect its innocent citizens from further crime.

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The following is a description of a common execution:

"At 8:30 p.m. the first jolt of 1900 volts of electricity passed through Mr. Evans' body. It lasted thirty seconds. Sparks and flames erupted from the electrode tied to Mr. Evans' left leg. His body slammed against the straps holding him in the electric chair and his fist clenched permanently. The electrode burst from the strap holding it in place. A large puff of grayish smoke and sparks poured out from under the hood that covered Mr. Evans' face. An overpowering stench of burnt flesh and clothing began pervading the witness room. Two doctors examined Mr. Evans and declared that he was not dead."

The death penalty in the United States should be abolished without exception. The problems associated with this controversial form of punishment are uncountable -- morality, innocence, money, unjustified retribution, racism -- and cannot be resolved without the abolition of such punishment.

In response to the "eye for an eye" concept, opponents of capital punishment inevitably take the standpoint that killing one another is wrong in every manner regardless whether it is just or not. A society that respects human life does not deliberately kill human beings. An execution is a violent public spectacle of official homicide and one that endorses killings to solve social problems. It is unjustified retribution Capital punishment is cruel and unusual punishment , being a relic of when slavery, branding, and other such corporal punishments were common.

The main argument used by death penalty supporters is that capital punishment deters murders. They argue that it is the duty of the government to protect it's citizens by permanently incapacitating criminals. This would be a perfectly cogent standpoint, if it were actually accomplished by the death penalty. However, the death penalty fails to deter further murders for a few underestimated reasons. Instead, as it is shown in a number of recent surveys, it actually seems to produce an increase in criminal homicide. This form of punishment fails as a deterrent for several reasons. The following facts illustrate this point:

1. Death penalty states average an annual rate of 7.9 homicides per one hundred thousand people while abolitionist states average 5.1 murders for the same amount of people.

2. The death penalty was reintroduced in Oklahoma in 1990, only to cause the addition of one stranger-murder per month in the state.

3. A survey of criminologists from the American Society of Criminology, The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, and also The Law and Society Association proved that an overwhelming majority of experts did not believe that the death penalty is a deterrent to murders. Over 80% believe that the existing research does not support a deterrence justification for the death penalty.

When a crime is planned, the criminal concentrates on escaping, arrest, and then the possibility of conviction. The threat of even the most intimidating punishment will not stop a murderer if he or she expects not to get caught. However, you will find that the majority of murders are commited in the heat of the moment, or when