Persuasive Essay On Death Penalty

The death penalty disproportionately targets minorities especially African Americans. In the United States of America there is an unequal and unfair burden against African Americans in the criminal justice system. In 2011, African Americans were only 13.6% of the American population (Rastogi, Johnson, Hoeffel, & Drewery, 2011). However, African Americans in 2011 made up 42% of the total death row population (Snell, 2011). Although a minority of the total population in the United States, African Americans make the majority of inmates on death row facing execution. Furthermore, the death penalty in many states is used as tool that following the racial legacy of Jim Crow laws. Sentences resulting in death are higher in states with a history of lynching (Schweizer 92). States with a history of lynching are predominately found in the Southern United states. The Southern United states has the highest population of death row inmates. In 2009 alone there were 1,630 inmates currently on death row in the South compared to 226 in the North and only 988 in the West (Schweizer 92). In addition, the race of the victim often will determine the sentence. Results from the Baldus Study suggested evidence of racial disparity in the state of Georgia based on the victims race (Schweizer 92). The Baldus study argued African American defendants who committed murdered white individuals had much higher probability of receiving the death penalty. Prosecutors in Georgia pursued a verdict of death in 80% of their cases if the defendant was African American and the victim was white (Schweizer 92). This is purely racial discrimination and prejudice. Finally, “Since 1977, the overwhelming majority (77%) off death row defendants have been executed for killing white victims, even though African Americans make up about half of all homicide victims (Amnesty International).”The race of the both the victim and perpetrator in criminal is irrelevant.

The death penalty, by definition, is the punishment of execution, administered to someone legally convicted of a capital crime. Each state has their own determinates of why someone would be given the death penalty, for example, in Missouri, it is first degree murder, but for Alabama it is intentional murder with 18 aggravating factors.

The death penalty is a lot like the statement “crying over spilled milk” in the sense that it is pointless and makes no real difference with regards to the situation. The death penalty was created as a punishment for crimes committed, but even from the beginning crime was still a problem and the punishment was not a deterrent. The history concerning the death penalty is extensive and can be found documented all the way back to Ancient Babylon in 18th Century BC (Reggio). It was used as punishment for a variety of crimes varying from place to place and was, in some instances, used as the punishment for all crimes. In every one of the places and time spans where the death penalty was implemented crime was still present. Criminals were not deterred by the threat of death even then and today is no different. If someone wants to commit a crime badly enough, not even death can change their mind.

Since the beginning of time there has always been the question of what to do with someone that has committed a serious offense that has resulted in serious injury or even death to a person. The death penalty has always been a topic of whether it is humane or inhumane to put someone to death over their crimes against another human being. The death penalty to some is either acceptable to where a person should be put t death for their crimes or is not doing anything to deter people from committing crimes. the death penalty is starting to become less of a punishment and more of a costly expense to taxpayers whom for “Each death penalty case in Texas costs taxpayers about $2.3 million.” The death penalty for some think it should be abolished while others would rather see it extended.

The death penalty has been around for thousands of years, from the codification of twenty-five laws by King Hammurabi of Babylon to today with many of our political nominees for president in support of continued use of the death penalty. Those in favor of the death penalty cite deterrence and punishment as their main reasons. However, in reality the death penalty is a drain on state and local finances, there is no evidence that is serves as a deterrent to crime, and has been shown to put the lives of innocent people in jeopardy. The death should be abolished, it has caused loss of finances, loss of life, and has un-proportionately affected the poor and the impoverished people of the United States.

George W. Busch once said, “I support the death penalty because I believe, if administered swiftly and justly, capital punishment is a deterrent against future violence and will save other innocent lives”. Now you need to ask yourself why you are for or against this issue, and how it affects the world. I think that they should take away the death penalty it is costly and can be delayed. The problem is the cost to the United State of having the death penalty, the cause of it costing so much is the delays of people on death row and keeping them there, and the solution to this is eliminating the death penalty or making it a swifter way to execution.

“An eye for an eye would make the whole world blind”, (Mahatma Gandhi). This famous quote by Mahatma Gandhi summarizes what is death penalty all about that we commit violence toward the ones who did violence, and we're still unsure if it's right or not. Personally, the death penalty should not be legalized and must be stopped because it just shows violence instead of peace in our world. Because of pain from losing someone we love, we feel so much hatred that we are blinded to forgive. However, people who supported death penalty have argued that it is a form of justice towards the victim and to the family by seeking revenge. Revenge is sweet, but committing violence will not really be a good solution it will just cause more troubles. Texas was the very first state to legalized lethal injection as a form of death penalty in 1982. The state officials distinguish capital punishment as a form of murder that includes if the victim was younger than ten years old, suspect hiring someone to commit a murder, and if the murder of police officers happens during the duty. There have been many issues that people who was put into death sentence, were actually innocent and not guilty.

According to Deathpenaltyinfo.org, as of July 1st, 2017 there were approximately 2,817 prisoners on death row. CNN.com says that, as of now, the death penalty is only legal in 31 out of the 50 states. Did you know that the average death row inmate will spend roughly 15 years in prison before they meet their final day; nearly a quarter of death row inmates die of natural causes while waiting for execution, and exhausting all of their appeals? How about that in Virginia death row inmates are now able to play games, watch TV, send emails, and have physical contact with visitors along with much more? Death row is for criminals that have committed heinous crimes and have been convicted by 12 unanimous jurors to death. So, why give them that many privileges?

Ray Krone was ordinary citizen, from small town, an honest citizen. He finished high school than joined air force. Ray left air force after six years and he started to work in the post office. He was respectful citizen without records and not even traffic violations. One day he suspended for murder, within two days he arrested. But, still he believed judicial system and he was death penalty supporter, after three and half day trail he was convicted death penalty. But, Ray was lucky because after 10 years, three months, and eight days, he was able to prove that he was not guilty. So, judicial system is very important for all of us not only for victims but also for every potential victim. In the near future anyone could be victims regardless of how they obey rules and try to be good citizen for their country. All systems including judiciary relays on human beings and all human kind could make mistakes. But, we can’t put someone in death row if we are not sure hundred percent. Lot of time we put people to the death row according some wrong evidences. Country’s judicial system can’t do mistake about citizen’s life. We all think our country’s system works well and we rely on that. Because of, that country has not to make mistake. Punish person who made mistake that is all right but if we do the same mistake and for that who will be responsible. So, we all are waiting from Country’s judicial system to be fair for all of us. Although, not to be fair some of

The “death penalty” is famously known as “justice” to law enforcers. Numerous mentally stressed and under appreciated law enforcements see people who are on death row as monsters who have destroyed the lives of other human beings, and who deserve everything that is coming their way. Despite, such common opinions, more than 4% of death row inmates are wrongfully convicted. In a time where education determines the success in one’s life, it appears as though more money is spent keeping individuals imprisoned. By removing the death penalty we see more money going into the education system, researcher facilities and we will see more educated individuals.

The death sentence has been a part of our society for as long as the concept of laws have been in place. It has always been looked at favorably, due to the idea that it would punish the wicked people of society, or traitors of a society. Even as society has progressed, the death penalty remains a staple as punishment handed down to those that were deemed as not being part of society; whether it was criminals, heretics, or people that may have challenged the status quo. However, as our societies have entered its current modern age, the idea of the death penalty as punishment has begun to decrease across the world. As of now, 140 countries have banned it by law, and in practice. (International) Out of the countries that still implement the death penalty, the United States of America ranks fifth among those countries that still use it. Within the United States, it has been observed that African-Americans are more inclined to be sentenced to death when the victim is Caucasian, while Caucasians are sentenced to life when the victim is African-American. (ACLU) With such a disparity between sentencing for both races. Would those that are part of the African-American community look less favorable on capital punishment than Caucasians would?

Putting another human to death is unimaginable and unbelievable. Yet our society allows this to happen. Imagine hearing your name called on death row. Leaving all your friends and family for good. Your life is about to be over, no one can help you. Since the year of 1976 about 1,392 death sentences have been given. The death penalty should be abolished because it is more expensive than a lifetime in prison, it puts innocent lives at risk, and it is a cruel and unjust punishment, going against 8th amendment. The death penalty is a brutal and ruthless punishment, that should be abolished from our society.

From public executions in the town square to lethal injections in a dark concrete bunker, the death penalty has been around since the dawn of mankind. The first documented cases of death penalty laws were noted to be in fifth century B.C.’s Roman Law of the Twelve Tablets. Violation of said laws would result in drowning, impalement, crucifixion, and many other arguably barbaric means of execution. Nowadays, due to more active legal barriers, not as many executions are being carried out. The methods that are legal and can be practiced in the U.S. as of 2017 are lethal injection, shooting/firing squad, hanging, electrocution, and containment in a gas chamber. All of these methods are specific to certain states, and not as widely used as lethal injection. According to Cornell Law School’s “The Death Penalty Worldwide” database, “Since 2001, 673 executions have been carried out by lethal injection, ten executions by electrocution and one execution by shooting, and no executions have been carried out by hanging or gas chamber.”

“Would you choose to be the person that pulls the switch that snuffs out a human life?” (www.oadp.org) Really think about that. Would you want to be the person who does the execution? Many things come into factor when thinking about the death penalty. Cost, guilty or not guilty, humanity, social changes, and so much more.

The death penalty is a prosecute that is used to kill criminals that have committed crimes that are so bad they should not be left alive. The idea of putting another human to death is hard to completely fathom. The physical mechanics involved in the act of execution are easy to grasp, but the emotions involved in carrying out a death sentence on another person, regardless of how much they deserve it, is beyond my understanding. Knowing that it must be painful, dehumanizing, and sickening. The Eight Amendment says” Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted” (Constitutions). And for the article Changing Views on\\e rate has gone down at a steady from the 1990 to now and that they death penalty is sometimes necessary, and it is our responsibility as a society to see that it is done.