The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, is the practice of sentencing convicted individuals to death as punishment for certain crimes. It has been used in various forms throughout history, and is still practiced in a number of countries today. The death penalty remains a controversial issue, with passionate arguments being made on both sides.
Those who support the death penalty often argue that it serves as a deterrent to crime. They believe that the threat of being sentenced to death can prevent people from committing serious offenses, such as murder. Supporters also argue that the death penalty is a way to provide justice for victims and their families, and that it is a necessary tool for protecting society from dangerous individuals.
However, opponents of the death penalty argue that it is a cruel and inhumane punishment that does not deter crime. They point to research showing that the death penalty is not significantly more effective at preventing crime than other forms of punishment, such as life imprisonment. Opponents also argue that the death penalty is prone to mistakes and can result in the execution of innocent people.
One of the main criticisms of the death penalty is that it disproportionately affects marginalized and disadvantaged groups, such as people of color and those with low income. Studies have shown that individuals from these groups are more likely to be sentenced to death and that racial and socioeconomic biases can play a significant role in death penalty cases.
Another concern is the cost of implementing the death penalty. The process of sentencing an individual to death and carrying out the execution is often more expensive than a sentence of life imprisonment. This is due to the added legal fees and the costs of appeals, which can drag on for years.
In conclusion, the death penalty is a highly debated topic with valid arguments on both sides. While some believe it serves as a deterrent and a way to provide justice, others argue that it is inhumane, unfairly affects marginalized groups, and is not cost-effective. Ultimately, the decision of whether to support or oppose the death penalty depends on one's personal values and beliefs.
The Death Penalty Debate Essay Sample, 1826 Words, 4 Pages 🤓
For instance, killing another person can be regarded as culpable homicide or murder. This is essentially saying that a crime of this nature murder produces its own punishment, and that no one, by rights of their humanity, is deserving of death. Both were convicted of capital murder, but when it came to sentencing the jury decided the white millionaire would get life without parole and the young African American would get the death sentence, making 100% of our death row population people of color. The utilitarian justification of the death penalty can be based on experiences. In order to achieve proportionality, one must find the right balance that depends on competing sentencing philosophies: utilitarianism or retributivism. In order to achieve proportionality, one must find the right balance that depends on competing sentencing philosophies: utilitarianism or retributivism.
Death Penalty Debate
State, while upholding the death sentence, the apex court opinioned that the accused is a menace to the society and shall continue to be so and he cannot be reformed. Ironically, crime and punishment are a contrast to happiness. Therefore, death penalty violates the spirit and letter of the constitution. Thus, it can be said that imprisoning a person is always a better option than to execute him because the criminal may realise his wrongful act and might want to change himself. Society shows its respect for the free will of the wrongdoer through punishment.
Death Penalty Debate
There is some intuitive merit to the notion that the criminals deserve unhappiness. Here is something even more compelling; the virtuous society deserves to be happy, and the vicious criminals deserve to be unhappy. According to the doctrine, life imprisonment is the rule and death sentence an exception and death penalty should be awarded only when all the alternatives are unquestionably foreclosed. Following the protest after Delhi rape case, the Parliament had amended the Juvenile Justice Act and permits death penalty for children above 17 years if they have committed serious offences. While from the surface it would seem his statement is justified, the utilitarian perspective would be inclined to support this claim and thus stick with their original ideology that capital punishment is necessary provided it produces the most amount of happiness. When someone commits a crime, we seek to determine the adequate punishment for the person responsible, under the expectation that this will deter them and others from committing the same crime. In many occasions, judges failed to give adequate consideration to the aggravating and mitigating circumstances and eventually death penalty continued to be imposed arbitrarily and freakishly.
ANALYSIS / Death penalty debate lifeless in Sacramento / Williams' execution brought out protests, left lawmakers cold
This is in large part because of the views many have toward the rule of law or an acceptance to the status quo. I believe there are consequences for choices. There are instances in our country, where persons who are convicted are later found to be innocent, and hence, their conviction is revoked, but if based on such conviction the person is executed, this would be a gross injustice and hence must be prevented. The debate of the death penalty is more than just a debate of who is deserving of death, but more so a question that pertains to political and moral implications for the victims, those that impose punishment, and the offender. Opponents of capital punishment say it has no deterrent effect on crime, wrongly gives governments the power to take human life, and perpetuates social injustices by disproportionately targeting people of color racist and people who cannot afford good attorneys classist. The law requires equal proportions of harm doled out against a criminal in a manner that best suits the crime.
