Capital Punishment in the United States
Capital punishment is one of the comprehensive, but debatable punishments given to criminal offenders in the U.S. And many other nations across the globe. Capital punishment involves the issuance of the death penalty because of committing serious crimes like crime in the society. Capital punishment has received tumultuous public support touching both ends of the society with its authorization in thirty-seven American states. It is widely used by the federal system of government and the military. The essence of capital punishment or the death penalty was directed at ending or terminating acts of violent behaviors among U.S. citizens. Many people support this form of punishment while others view it as unfair, unconstitutional, and sheer breakage of human right to life. Based on the connotations laid out by the U.S. state and other nations supporting the elimination capital punishment, capital punishment should be eradicated in the human society (Palmer, 2008).
Although capital punishment appeals to some members of the public, it does not hold water. Even when committed or done by the Federal Government, this punishment does not meet its intended purpose in the society. As such, it turns out to be against the wishes and rights of the afflicted. There are numerous evidences, which have been mounted to prove that this form punishment does not work: it should be eradicated in the U.S. And the world as a whole. Death penalty is discriminatory in nature. No human is accorded the constitutionally right to take away the life of another citizen. Capital punishment has often been used disproportionately in the U.S. government and the world at large. It is often used against the poor people. Against the minorities who have no sound arguments and abilities to defend themselves. It has often been racially used. Ethic inclinations have been observed while offering this form of punishment in the U.S. And the world at large. Religious communities have suffered since the government and the U.S. military have often been accused of religiously executing criminals using this penalty without according some form of equity.
In the U.S., there is the variance by jurisdiction in the appointment of the council of defense. There are cases of patronage since the judges might have to appoint attorneys who have a positive perception and belief in capital punishment. This will appear to skew the entire conclusion of any case, which is presented before him, or her. Most attorneys are inexperienced, insufficiently paid, and lack enough data and investigative results to pursue a client's case (Dike, 1982). These problematic legal fragments do not support and elicit a concrete case whose finality is capital punishment.
Within the position of execution in the court, the criminal justice system appears unique. This has often led to restructuring of capital punishment in a sense of the procedures that are useful while obtaining the sentence. This is done contrary to the need of validity of the actions, which have been committed by an individual and warrant capital punishment. Under the eighth Amendment of the United States of American constitution, there is cruelty and unusualness in capital punishment since the court recognizes a maturing society whose components keep growing from one level of development to another.
According to the United Nations Assembly and its adoption of the Second Protocol to the ICCPR, there is a need to abolish capital punishment in light of the need to appreciate human progress. According to the first sentence of the following protocol, "Abolition of capital punishment contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and progressive development of human rights," (Bedau et al., 1976). As such, the Second Option Protocol never expected the United States government to sign the death sentence act since the UN expects all nations to make equitable reservations over any Optional Protocols. As such, there is no validity on the belief by the U.S. Federal Government and the military to pursue the death penalty among the citizens of the United States of America. The U.S. is part of the UN cooperates and hence should
death teach us about life? The concept of death teaches us a tremendous amount about life. First, our awareness of death teaches us that life is finite in duration. That may seem obvious, but it is not necessarily a perspective that we would appreciate without noticing that the lives of others are ended by death. After all, all we have ever known firsthand is living; if not for the fact
Studies consistently and generally show that, all factors held constant, the race of the accused is a critical variable in determining who will be sentenced to death. Black citizens are, thus, subjected to double discrimination. From initial charging decisions to plea bargaining to sentencing by the jury, Black defendants receive harsh treatment and, as victims, their lives are given less value than whites. Most juries still consist of all
The United States is one of the few industrialized, democratic nations in the world which still permits capital punishment on a state-by-state basis. Not all states have the death penalty but executions are still carried out in the United States and the punishment remains controversial. Despite the singularity of its status internationally, the death penalty has historically been a popular policy in the United States, even though it has been hotly
Capital Punishment Solitary confinement represents one among the best means of keeping modern-day prisoners from communication and conflict, but has the most injurious effects on their health. Individuals imprisoned in conditions of solitary confinement demonstrate more psychotic behavior compared to normal prisoners; this includes higher rate of suicides (Thesis Statement). After a prisoner loses his/her mental capacity of understanding the reason for his/her imprisonment or punishment, subjecting him/her to solitary confinement
However, on the contradicting side, the question is "Can death penalty really deter criminals?." Several studies show it does not. An online source indicates the following evidences. From 1976 to 1996, the number of executions per year in the United States has increased from 0 to just under 60. The homicide rate per 100,000 population has remained constant at just under 10. Criminologists who belong to the American Society of Criminology,
The victim is unable to make peace with himself, say goodbye to his family or have his constitutional rights seen too. When a murder is committed, I believe that the perpetrator does not forfeit his rights, but rather some of the respect and convention which is usually given to a dying person. After all, what respect and convention was awarded to his victim? Many of the states which currently allow
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now