If the death penalty is racist, therefore, action must be taken immediately. Because those who hold this view suggest that jury selection and preliminary court actions are racist, the court should institute checks on the court system in order to prevent this issue. Independent advocates for defendants should advice each of their rights in conjunction with their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or ethnicity. These advocates should encourage defendants to make known any discriminatory behavior as soon as it occurs. Furthermore, if the death penalty is really racist, the Supreme Court should consider again its abolition. If those who believe the death penalty is not racist, however, are correct, than action must also be taken. Similar precautions should be put into place to make sure allegations cannot be levied. Thus, both those who believe race plays a major role in the death penalty and those who do not must organize for action.
In
Studies proving both sides have been published, although slightly more information exists for those who believe the death penalty is racist. The debate continues to rage in the Supreme Court, localities, and even on death row, where inmates like Troy Davis now sit, unsure of whether or not their conviction is a result of their race. It is for those like Troy Davis that changes must be made, regardless of whether or not one believes racism and death sentences are correlated.
References
Amnesty International. (2008). Troy Davis -- Finality Over Fairness. Retrieved November 16, 2008, at http://www.amnestyusa.org/death-penalty/troy-davis-finality-over-fairness/page.do?id=1011343
American Civil Liberties Union. (2008, February 26). Race and the Death Penalty.
Retrieved November 16, 2008, at http://www.aclu.org/capital/unequal/10389pub20030226.html
Lowe, Wesley (2008, October 5). Pro-Death Penalty Web Page. Retrieved November 16, 2008 at http://www.wesleylowe.com/cp.html#race
Makon, Jerry. (2008, October 21). Two Justices Clash Over Race and Death Penalty. The Washington Post. Retrieved at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/20/AR2008102003133.html
Martin, William E. And Thompson, Peter N. (2007, December 30). Tolerating Racism in the Selection of Jurors. Retrieved November 16, 2008, at http://academic.udayton.edu/race/03justice/justice02e.htm
Tickner, Neil. (2003, January 7). UM Study: Race, Geography Factors in Md. Death
Penalty Decisions. Retrieved November 16, 2008, at http://www.newsdesk.umd.edu/sociss/release.cfm?ArticleID=265.
From 1977 to 2007, the number of death sentences per capita was as follows: Alabama .89, Oklahoma .818, Mississippi .558, Nevada .546, Delaware .497, North Carolina .481, Florida .463, South Carolina .422, Arizona .412, Arkansas .399, Texas .379, Louisiana .342, Missouri .313, Pennsylvania .277, Ohio .270, Tennessee .270, Idaho .267, Georgia .236, Illinois .233, California .219, Kentucky .193, Virginia .192, Oregon .184, Indiana .148, Nebraska .147, Wyoming .134, Montana
This creates a conflict that is not easily resolved. In conclusion, it is unlikely that the capital punishment debate in the United States will resolve itself soon. Although the public tends towards opposing it, there is a significant proportion of citizens still supporting it. Furthermore, judicial processes are slow and difficult to change, further complicating the matter. Nonetheless, the best alternative so far suggested by researchers is life without parole.
It is difficult to argue that the death penalty is being applied evenly and fairly as required by the Supreme Court's Furman v. Georgia decision. In fact, it could be argued, with statistics like these, that the application of the death penalty is being influenced by racial factors. If the race of the victim is a factor in deciding whether or not the defendant receives the death penalty, then the
Death Penalty All indications are that capital offenses are on the rise and the response to this phenomenon has been a cry to impose capital punishment as retribution. Certainly the issue is one of the most hotly debated in the world today; both for consideration of its humaneness as well as efficacy as a deterrent. For the purposes of this assignment we will examine the issue from both sides with the
Death Penalty This informative speech outline topic DOES THE DEATH PENALTY DETER CRIME? The outline detailed 4 APA references. It follow format detailed referenced. Please outline tornadoes OUTLINE FOR INFORMATIVE SPEECH Tornadoes Purpose: To inform audience tornadoes Thesis: Today I discuss fascinating facts tornadoes. To inform the audience about the two sides of the debate on the death penalty, regarding its justice and its deterrent effect. The death penalty is one of the
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,
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