Abstract
This essay assumes a pro death penalty stance. The arguments in favor of the death penalty include the following. First, the death penalty stems from ancient traditions that define American culture and society. Second, the death penalty encourages respect for the law and possibly prevents some crimes from being committed in the first place through the deterrent effect. Third, the death penalty could save taxpayers a lot of money and reduce prison overcrowding, too. Arguments against the death penalty are valid but insufficient to withdraw from a pro death penalty position. For example, the death penalty is neither racist nor is it cruel and unusual punishment. The recommendation for public policy is to retain the death penalty.

Introduction

The continuing use of the death penalty for specific crimes remains a distinguishing feature of the American penal system. Much criticism has been waged at the death penalty, and for good reason. After all, it is important to be fully certain that the individual committed the crime before issuing a sentence of death. Yet modern forensics and the rigors of jury trials do provide a reasonable degree of certainty. The death penalty may not deter some people, but could be a meaningful deterrent for others. Keeping violent criminals locked up in prison for decades costs more money than the average taxpayer realizes, and financial cost alone could suffice to explain why the death penalty should remain extant in the United States criminal justice system.

Body

The death penalty has its roots in the Code of Hammurabi—one of the earliest recorded legal codes. Within the Code of Hammurabi, the principle of retributive justice is clearly emphasized through statements like “If a man put out the eye of another man, his eye shall be put out,” (Code No. 196). The maxim, “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,” was also echoed in the Bible, which is why the principle of retributive justice seems embedded into the fabric of American culture and consciousness. 

Its ancient roots are not a sufficient reason to retain the death penalty. Many modern countries have in fact abolished the death penalty on various grounds. One argument is that the death penalty is cruel. In fact, some have even claimed that the death penalty is “cruel and unusual” and therefore could be considered unconstitutional (ACLU, n.d.). Capital punishment may be cruel, but it is no crueler than the crimes the person committed. The death penalty is only issued for the most heinous of crimes, crimes against which the death penalty would seem lenient in comparison. Also, the death penalty can be considered a compassionate alternative to life in prison. Prison is not a good life, but repenting for one’s crimes in those final moments of life could be quite cathartic. 

Another argument against the death penalty is that it is...…a violent criminal alive. If the taxpayer only knew how much money is being spent maintaining prisons, more people would support the death penalty as an alternative to life in prison. 

Finally, many arguments against the death penalty assume that it equates the United States with tyrannical regimes around the world that also use the death penalty. According to World Population Review, countries that use the death penalty include Japan and South Korea. Therefore, the death penalty is practiced in several modern societies. The United States finds itself a leader among nations in how it conducts its criminal justice system.

Unfortunately, though, many people remain hostile to the concept of capital punishment. Ironically, many of the opponents of the death penalty are also liberal in their political thinking. Liberals tend to trust the government to provide for the common welfare, but for some reason do not trust their government to adequately and justly sentence a violent criminal to death.

Conclusion

The death penalty has served modern society well through a rigorous and reliable criminal justice system. With its roots in pre-Biblical society, the death penalty remains a hallmark of civilization. Although many modern nations have abolished the death penalty on humanitarian grounds, the United States and several other nations retain it. The pro death penalty reasons include its effectiveness as a deterrent, its being grounded in the core ethical principles and character of America, and its potential to…