Should the Death Penalty Be Legal? Essay

Edward I. Koch uses his essay “The Death Penalty: Can It Ever Be Justified?” to defend capital punishment. He believes that justice for murderous crimes is essential for the success of the nation. The possibility of error is of no concern to Koch and if would-be murderers can be deterred from committing these heinous crimes, he feels the value of human life will be boosted and murder rates will consequently plummet (475-479). Koch makes a valiant effort to express these views, yet research contradicts his claims and a real look at his idea of justice must be considered in order to create a fair nation for all.

In “How the Death Penalty Saves Lives”, written and published by David B. Mulhausen on September 29, 2014, Mulhausen speaks of the reasons why the death penalty is a proper way to bring murderers to justice. He believes that “some crimes are so heinous and inherently wrong that they demand strict penalties” (Mulhausen). Not only does he believe that the death penalty is useful to set criminals to justice, but he also believes that the enforcement of the death penalty deters crime rates.

Throughout the United States an argumentative topic is the death penalty - should it be legalized across the 50 states or be declared unconstitutional? Some believe the death penalty is a better option for those who deserve the highest form of punishment available. However, others argue capital punishment is a waste of resources and should be brought to an end. Therefore, while many believe the death penalty should be legalized throughout the United States because it offers a higher form of punishment, others believe the death penalty should be repealed because it causes unnecessary deaths.

Over the course of history, the death penalty is a very heated and debatable topic. The death penalty is often viewed as inhumane and cruel. As a country that prides itself on American values and justice, we need to call attention to the criminals sitting in our jails. This is a monumental decision that no one wants to make, but someone has to. My personal stand point of the death penalty is that the death penalty is in place to help rid our society of criminal's that are incapable of being rehabilitated and released back into society. I support the death penalty because these criminals have caused emotional upheaval and are costing our society more funds required to sit in our jails with the life sentence with no parole rather than exercising

Life is precious and should not be taken for granted. In the United States capitol punishment has been abolished or overturned in 20 states. According to Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, the nation's opinion is split right down the middle. The death penalty has been the topic of discussion in recent years, it has been very controversial primarily based on how it is permanent. Once action is taken and the punishment of death has been dealt wrongful execution of an innocent person would be an injustice that can never be rectified.

Growing up in the United States has been the biggest blessing because it is recognized as the most fortunate country in the world. The U.S. represents freedom and would do anything to serve justice for those that have been victimized. Even those that have been accused of being guilty for committing horrendous crimes, our country still promises them their constitutional rights. Because of having parents in law enforcement since before I was even born, I learned that such horrible crimes are more common than one would think. It terrifies me to picture my parents working around people that are capable of such actions, but I’m reminded of how secure our justice system is when horrendous cases are brought to the table. Listening to one tragic story after another throughout my parents’ careers, I have wondered for years what truly happens behind the process of trials and sentencing. Capital crimes deserve their punishment and the death penalty is a permanent discipline that has been thoroughly debated amongst every state in America. While our country has faced many terrorist attacks and continues to fight wars with many other countries, I feel as if there are many different opinions towards the death penalty. Is the death penalty ethically wrong? If it is, then where is the justice for victimized human beings nationwide? Does the murder of one, or many, justify the murder of another? This question deserves examination before so

However, supporters would suggest that the act is keeping criminals and other bad people off the streets and out of the population. Which viewpoint is sounder? Well, the opposition would suggest that society show mercy towards these criminals by keeping them locked up for life, but had they shown mercy to their victims, then they would not be in this situation. Though the opposition’s viewpoint is true, they cannot refute the fact that it was the criminal’s performance of the crime that lead to their outcome. Criminals should recognize the reasons for the laws and abide by them. Many of the criminals who have murdered someone have been incarcerated and awaiting trial, giving them a chance to think about what they have done. However, eventually, they are released on parole, and a murderer is loose in the community claiming to be a changed person, though remaining completely capable of committing the crime again. Having the death penalty insures that the public is safe. This reasoning is shared by thirty four out of fifty states that still perform the death penalty (“Death Penalty Information Center”).

The united states should abolish the death penalty. It has no place in the United States criminal justice system. It’s a never ending cycle of murder and it’s not justice. A better alternative to the death penalty would be life in prison without parole long term prison sentences punish just as effective as capital punishment the death penalty is extremely flawed the criminal justice system can not adequately administer the death penalty to often innocent people are killed

The United States has a long history with the death penalty. The “first recorded execution was in Jamestown in 1608” (“Death Penalty in America” 259). Since then, thirty five states have continued to use the death penalty. Now it can be considered a normal punishment and many people feel strongly about it, but maybe we should forget what we have done in the past and take a second look. The death penalty should not be used in the United States because it is too expensive, affects the poor and minorities more than others, and (even though many people think it is true) the death penalty does not deter crime.

Many people may be aware there is a punishment for convicts known as the death penalty, also known as capital punishment. This penalty allows the state to put a convicted man or woman to death by: lethal injection, lethal gas, electrocution, or a firing squad. For many years protestors have been pushing for states to abolish the ability of sentencing someone to death for committing a crime. The death penalty has always been one of the most debated issues in the United States. As our country grows older and wiser, evidence clearly points to the fact that the death penalty is not a good solution. The death penalty is too harsh and should be abolished.

The Capital Punishment was made so it would deter crime and further the future of the system, but not one has been met. “The death penalty fails to live up to a lot of conservative ideals,” said Marc Hyden, a coordinator with Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty, a group launched in 2013. “It’s not pro-life, it’s not limited-government, and it doesn’t deter crime.” ("Death Penalty." CQ Researcher by CQ Press. library.cqpress.com) The system is always going to have some flaws. Every law and person is different, for example if someone was found guilty but is truly innocent later on, it shouldn’t be possible that they would be dead because of the death penalty. Without question there are people who are not guilty that are in jail. As the Justice system is trying to keep people safe they are also trying to appease the people around them, In the end it could cost a life. “Innocent people are wrongly executed….. The sad thing about this, according to those who are opposed is that innocence is proven after the execution has been carried out.” ("List of 10 Biggest Death Penalty Pros and Cons." Green Garage. July 21, 2015.greengarageblog.org) For anyone to take another life, it’s horrendous! Then wouldn’t it be just as bad to take the killer’s life? You are turning into what you just killed. “Some jury members are reluctant to convict if it means putting

There are many problems facing our criminal justice system today. Some of the more important ones are overcrowded jails, the increasing murder rate, and keeping tax payers content. In light of these problems, I think the death penalty is our best and most reasonable solution because it is a highly effective deterrent to murder. And, tax payers would be pleased to know that their hard-earned tax dollars are not being wasted on supporting incorrigible criminals who are menaces to society. In addition, they would not be forced to fund the development of new penitentiaries in order to make room for the growing number of inmates in our already overcrowded jails. Moreover, the death penalty would

Since 1976, there have been 1,417 inmates killed by the death penalty. Out of those 1,417 inmates, 1,242 killed by lethal injection, 158 by electrocution, 11 by gas chamber, 3 by hanging, and 3 by firing squad. The Death Penalty was first enforced in 1608; therefore, Captain George Kendall was the first person to ever be put on death row and actually be prosecuted. In the United States today, only 32 states still have the death penalty. (Death Penalty Information Center) Some people think the death penalty will defer further murders, while others believe the penalty is cruel and is the easy way out for the inmate. Furthermore, the penalty should be illegal because it costs way more money for the inmate to go their than be put in prison for life, also, it is the easy way out for the inmate, they might have serious issues that won’t ever be solved because the courts decided to kill them.

Despite all the pros and cons of capital punishment, society must think about what is truly correct and most practical for our world. Capital punishment is not functional in today’s legal system. There are countless amounts of evidence that proves these legal killings to be ineffective. We, as Americans, must correct this irrational practice before it does anymore permanent damage.

The death penalty slowly rids the world of killers - or those worthy of being sent to death for their crime - but it takes a great deal of time and money to do so. Due to the unnecessarily expensive capital cases, the cost efficient availability of keeping these inmates in jail for life without parole, and the high price to execute prisoners on Death Row, the death penalty should be illegal.