Compare And Contrast The Constitutionality And Imposition Of The Death Penalty

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Abstract This paper addresses the constitutionality and imposition of the death penalty. I will present some historic aspects of the use of the death penalty as well as constitutional issues that have risen through the years over its imposition and the execution of some convicts. Also I will discuss the general goals of sentencing and the various types of sentences available to judges. I will also review the constitutional rights and issues important in criminal sentencing especially as it pertains to the death sentence. At the end of the paper I will compare the death sentence to the alternative which is life in prison without parole- the deterrent effects on crimes, and the costs would be the main focus of the comparison. This paper will be concluded with my…show more content…
There should be no question that putting someone to death should be less expensive than keeping someone incarcerated for the rest of their life, but in the United States there is a debate because of all the legal procedures that place before an execution can occur. The average time people spend on death row over the last couple decades is 8 years. Maximum security cell costs about $75,000 per year- the cells which house life without parole and death penalty inmates, but the additional cost for a DP inmate on death row is $90,000 per year. (Deathpenaltyinfo.org, 2012) This simple calculation clearly shows that keeping criminals on death row for prolonged periods of time cost more.I would propose changes in the procedures for executing the sentences. People who have been convicted and sentenced to death will have 365 days to complete all appeals and other legal procedures, but after 365 days and they have not been reclassified to LWOP then they will be

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