The Death Penalty And The United States

The criminal justice system was made to protect the rights and the safety of the citizens of the United States, It was created to have justice in the United States, But even then it has some flaws. Three of the faults I decided to discuss about are the death penalty, Issues within prison for example; weapons and riots, and high incarceration rates.

The death penalty in the United States can be traced all the way to early American history when it was under the colonial rule of Britain. Though in early history the death penalty was used for even menial crimes such as burglary, capital punishment in the United States is currently used for only the most heinous crimes, such as first degree murder, rape, treason, or espionage. Because the nation was unified under similar Christian beliefs, there was no question of how death could be the worst punishment for the worst crimes. However, through diversified religions and a growing sensitivity to criminal rights, the death penalty is increasingly under more scrutiny in regards to the 8th amendment, which bans the implementation of cruel and unusual punishments. In Furman v. Georgia, three inmates challenged the legality of their sentences, bringing light to the questionable relationship between capital punishment and the Eighth Amendment. In order to appease this realization that the death penalty was too gruesome, many states have changed their execution methods from hangings and electrocution to lethal injections that create a more seemingly peaceful death. “In fact, death penalty opponents often argue against the use of lethal injections on the grounds that this method makes executions more palatable to the public by creating the appearance that the inmate is simply being put to sleep” (Radelet, Borg 54). However, though lethal injections are far less violent compared to

On September 9, 1993 a seventeen year old boy, Christopher Simmons, and a few of his friends met up to discuss and devise a plan to commit a robbery and possibly even a murder, just for the sake of fun. Simmons’ plan was not complicated: find someone to burglarize, tie up the victim and either leave the victim tied to a tree or push them off a bridge. Simmons and his accomplice climbed through a window and proceeded into the bedroom of the victim, Mrs. Cook. The two teenagers tied the woman up and loaded her into the back of her own minivan. They drove to the state park at the edge of town, where they had planned to dispose of the body and that is exactly what they did. The boys were caught later on that month and put on trial for cold

Werent we taught as little kids that revenge is never the answer? Then why is there such thing as a death penalty? "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted." This is what is stated in the 14th amendment of the Bill of Rights. So why is there still a death penalty in the United States? The first laws created towards the death penalty go as far back as the Eighteenth Century B.C. in the Code of King Hammaurabi of Babylon, which allowed the death penalty to be carried out for 25 different crimes. In these early times death sentences were done by means of crucifixion, drowning, beating to death, burning alive, and impalement. Newer ways to go about the death penalty, more nineteenth century, include hanging, electric chair, gas chamber, and lethal injection. What do all these methods have in common? Well, they are all used to execute someone who has committed an extremely wrongful crime when there are better ways to deal with such individuals. Capital punishment is barbaric and goes against what is said in the Bill of Rights. There are numerous reasons why the death penalty should be removed from the 32 states that still allow it.

Weren’t we taught as little kids that revenge is never the answer? Then why is there such thing as a death penalty? "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted." This is what is stated in the 14th amendment of the Bill of Rights. So why is there still a death penalty in the United States? The first laws created towards the death penalty dates back as far as the Eighteenth Century B.C. in the Code of King Hammaurabi of Babylon, which allowed the death penalty to be carried out for 25 different crimes. In these early times death sentences were done by means of crucifixion, drowning, beating to death, burning alive, and impalement. Newer ways to approach the death penalty, more nineteenth century, include hanging, electric chair, gas chamber, and lethal injection. What do all these methods have in common? Well, they are all used to execute an individual who has committed an extremely wrongful crime when there are better ways to deal with such individuals. Capital punishment is barbaric and serves against what is stated in the Bill of Rights. There are numerous reasons why the death penalty should be removed from the 32 states that still allow it.

The death penalty is a huge controversy in the United States. There are many different feelings regarding the death penalty. Some feel like it is the easy way out for people who have committed heinous acts, and others feel like it is the perfect justice for those individuals. An argument made by the website ListVerse explained, that people teach their children not to steal, or commit crimes because they will be sent to prison and punished (ListVerse). Completing their argument, the same website also explained that if the same child, who was taught not to commit crime, commits murder, and is sentenced to the death penalty they are taught nothing (ListVerse). It is important that the criminal justice system not only serves justice, but also deters people from committing the same offense. On the opposing side of the argument, the website Phil for Humanity explains the importance of the death penalty. Phil for Humanity points out how expensive it is to house inmates, and that these individuals are extremely dangerous to society (Phil for Humanity). This paper will discuss the pros and the cons of the death penalty in greater detail.

occurred when Thomas Jefferson introduced a bill to revise Virginia's death penalty laws. The bill proposed that capital punishment be used only for the crimes of murder and treason. It was defeated by only one vote. However, it had represented that the US was seriously considering the issue of capital punishment and in 1794, Pennsylvania repealed the death penalty for all offenses except first degree murder. Later in 1846, Michigan became the first state to abolish the death penalty for all crimes except treason. Following Michigan, Rhode Island and Wisconsin abolished the death penalty for all crimes (Randa). From 1907 till 1917, 6 states outlawed the death penalty and 3 states removed it for crimes except for treason and first-degree murder of certain officials. This was a clear statement that reform was occurring and was a stance against the unethical questions that capital punishment contained (Randa). The court cases that followed these events would help shape restrictions and end some of the ethical questions on capital punishment. Although the movement was continuing to rise, the measure soon faced a few challenges, especially from the US Supreme Court. In 1976 in the case Gregg vs Georgia, where the court ruled that as long as the decision was made after proper deliberation and the method of conviction involves a way to limit the sentence, using the death penalty is constitutional (US Courts). This was a

There's a long history of capital punishment in the USA as it has been used since colonial times. The American constitution gives each state the right to govern over their own criminal laws. 31 states still have capital punishment and they use it on a number of crimes, including treason and crimes causing death, and use a number of different methods to kill those convicted of capital crimes. The death penalty has its supporters and opponents. Both groups have heated and emotional reasons for their point of view, plus, they each have their statistics to strengthen their argument. Additionally, each side uses the US Constitution to bolster their argument. Proponents use the Fifth Amendment which outlines the conditions for capital crimes. Opponents

Britain continued to increase the number of capital offenses until the 1700’s. Many laws were passed and then swept away. “Through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, more and more capital punishments were abolished, not only in Britain, but also all across Europe, until today only a few countries retain the death penalty.” This shows how the value of a human life has been taken into serious consideration and discussion throughout history and even today. Many states in the US have changed their laws based on other state’s decisions. For example, in 1835, Maine stated that “all felons sentenced to death would have to remain in prison at hard labor and could not be executed until one year had passed, and on the governor’s order.” They called it the “Maine Law”. Then in 1907 Kansas took the “Maine Law” a step further and abolished all death penalties. After Kansas, eight more states abolished capital punishment in the year 1911 and 1917. By constantly changing the laws and regulations between states, it shows that as a country we are willing to continually reevaluate our decisions and make changes if we believe they are warranted. These changes may ultimately not be correct, but we the people are always compelled to do what we think is best for

Each day, heinous crimes, such as murder and treason, are committed across America. Over many years, there has been controversy regarding the death penalty. The death penalty is not legal in every state. Some states only give life in prison if crimes like murder have been committed. The other states who have not abolished this punishment sentence someone to the death penalty if they have committed crimes like murder or treason. In fact, the death penalty should be legalized in all 50 states in the United States.

The most severe form of punishment in the United States is the death penalty. Killing a person who has been convicted of a capital offense through a judicial process is considered capital punishment, or the death penalty. Legal issues have been a major factor in the use of the

Following a period of nine years (1967-1976) in which capital punishment lay dormant, thirty-eight of fifty American states and the federal government passed revised capital sentencing statutes that satisfied the more rigorous constitutional requirements that the Supreme Court issued between 1976 and 1983. Since 1983 the Court relinquished several procedural restrictions on the states and due to this the rate of electrocutions, gassings and lethal injections have steadily grown. Simultaneously, there have been conflicting societal views on the use of the death penalty and in response some scholars have claimed that, “citizens invariably signify their agreement with all the controversial

Jesse Jackson once said, “Capital punishment turns the state into a murderer.” Capital punishment has been around for several hundred years, the first documented execution in America taking place in 1608, but more recently this form of punishment has been raising questions on its morality. While the form of execution has changed over the years, from firing squad to lethal injection, all forms succeed in their purpose: to kill. Support for capital punishment is still very strong in America, the reasons ranging from the fact that the death sentence deters crime, all the way to plain revenge, but recent polls show that a majority of Americans find the death penalty an unjust sentence. It is imperative that Americans open their eyes to the fact that capital punishment does nothing to deter crime, is a result of erroneous sentencing, and is the most basic definition of murder.

In 1976 the Supreme Court of the United States of America ruled the Death Penalty constitutionally permissible. The debate over capital punishment has always been a topic of great controversy. Before the Supreme Court ruling in 1976 America had been practicing capital punishment for centuries. At the current time some states enforce the death penalty, while some do not. There are differences of opinion’s relating to whether or not the death penalty is the proper way to punish human beings for taking a life, or if death is truly deserved for the horrendous acts they have perpetrated upon another human being. This essay on capital punishment will present several arguments why it is believed that capital punishment should be outlawed in America, followed by a summary of arguments in favor of capital punishment.

Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty is an issue that has the United States divided. There are many people who both support and oppose capital punishment. As of July 1, 2015 there are thirty-one states that uphold capital punishment and nineteen states that have abolished it (Death Penalty Information Center). I support capital punishment and believe that it should be upheld throughout the nation. For reasons such as deterrence, restitution, and ethics.