Essay on Capital Punishment - An Appropriate Form of...

Since the early settlers first stepped foot on what is now the United States of America, capital punishment has been reserved as a form of punishment for the people who have committed some of society’s most heinous crimes. Recently, support of capital punishment has begun to erode due to the advancements of DNA technology and groups, such as the Innocence Project. Capital punishment, however, remains to be an appropriate form of punishment for someone convicted of capital crimes, and may be effective in deterring such offenses. In December, 1607, Captain George Kendall was the first known person to be executed in the territory, now known as the United States of America. Captain Kendall was shot by firing squad, accused of spying†¦show more content†¦According to the Innocence Project, there have been 173 exonerations due to eyewitness misidentification, 116 cases due to improper forensics, 51 cases due to false admissions, and 36 cases of unreliable informants. In addition, 17 people have been exonerated through DNA testing. Opponents note, that these people have spent a combined 187 years on death row for a crime they did not commit (2010). It is their stance that executions should be halted or at the very least, be sure that persons awaiting execution are allowed to prove their innocence. Although opponents of capital punishment have a valid point, these are just a small number of isolated cases, when compared to the number of inmates currently awaiting execution throughout the United States. Although it is true that the murder rate is higher in states that allow capital punishment, it is simply because there are more states that allow it, moreover, the population of these â€Å"death penalty† states exceeds the population of â€Å"non-death penalty states (2009). It is not difficult to imagine that the larger the population is, the greater probability exists for crimes to occur, including murder. Capital punishment may also p rove to be beneficial in deterring capital crimes, however, skeptics rebut this claim. Beginning in 1963, the United States Supreme Court imposed rules dealing with searches and confessions. During that time, the nation’sShow MoreRelatedCapital Punishment1534 Words   |  7 PagesThe death penalty has been around for many centuries and will probably be around for many to come. Although some citizens feel capital punishment is ethically wrong, it is necessary in today s society for various reasons. Society must be kept safe from the barbaric acts of murders and rapist, by taking away their lives to function and perform in our society. Most criminals don t take into account the results of their actions. If a person intending to commit a crime, sees another criminal put toRead MoreThe Death Penalty: An Appropriate Punishment Essay examples1517 Words   |  7 PagesCapital punishment has been a punitive consequence of multiple societies in many different countries over the years. The death penalty has been witnessed in many different forms, depending on the society or culture. It is viewed as an act of justice due to its deeply embedded historical tradition. Over the centuries, many cultures have used capital punishment because it ensures the safety of society. Criminals continue to use violence as their way of solving a problem. Capital punishment deters crimeRead MoreDeterrence Is The Primary Source When Defining Criminal Law1549 Words   |  7 Pagescriminal law. 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Aristotle s theory of justice offers an outline for a system of justice, of which the death penalty for appropriate crimes is acceptable. His underlying assumptionRead MoreThe Case For Death Penalty1252 Words   |  6 Pagessomebody else’s life is simply immoral.† When considering the issue of capital punishment, many arguments are made in favor of proponents and abolitionists. There are utilitarian arguments, retributive arguments, and egalitarian arguments. Utilitarian arguments argue against the death penalty, for they look to punish criminals for the benefit and the â€Å"lesson learned† from the punishment. They believe that this is the most effective form of deterrence, because the criminal will learn their lesson and theRead MoreArgument Against The Death Penalty1247 Words   |  5 Pagessomebody else’s life is simply immoral.† When considering the issue of capital punishment, many arguments are made in favor of proponents and abolitionists. There are utilitarian arguments, retributive arguments, and egalitarian arguments. Utilitarian arguments argue against the death penalty, for they look to punish criminals for the benefit and the â€Å"lesson learned† from the punishment. They believe that this is the most effective form of deterrence, because the criminal will learn their lesson and theRead More Capital Punishment Essay1685 Words   |  7 PagesCapital Punishment Works Cited Not Included Capital Punishment was basically thought of for the good of society. The objective of Capital Punishment is to stop people from committing violent and offensive acts. Capital Punishment or the death penalty has failed however, to prevent or discourage crime. Moreover, it is cruel and gruesome. At present there are five methods of execution. The most commonly used form of execution is by lethal injection. In this method the convict is first injectedRead MoreShould It Be Abolished Or Not?1396 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam Furman guilty of all charges and is to be sentenced to capital punishment. However, what is capital punishment? The definition from dictionary.com states: The practice or legal sanction of allowing the imposition of the penalty of death for people convicted of committing certain crimes. There are five lawful means of sentencing which are electrocution, hanging, lethal injection, gas chamber, and firing squad. Capital punishment is a delicate topic amongst the people but there are certain aspectsRead MoreCapital Punishment And Its Social Implications1463 Words   |  6 Pages The Use of Capital Punishment to Serve Justice, and its Social Implications Chloe E. Stone, Slippery Rock University Abstract This paper will provide the reader with a firm understanding of the capital punishment, and its application in the justice system. Additionally, it will explain how capital punishment in the fields of criminal justice and criminology impacts society, and those who surround these fields. Multiple publications that examine capital punishment will be analyzedRead MoreThe Debate over Capital Punishment Essay1025 Words   |  5 PagesThe Debate over Capital Punishment South Carolina, January 15, 1993. After wounding an Orangeburg, S.C. police officer with a misfired bullet, Thomas Treshawn Ivey, an Alabama prison escapee, proceeded to fired five more shots into the police officer from a handgun at close range after the wounded police office had reached for his gun. Ivey fled the scene but was quickly apprehended. This scenario is not to different from the horrible acts of violence that lead an offender to death row where