Deterrence is an act or process of discouraging and preventing an action from occurring. When potential killers know that the cost of their murderous action can result in their own death, they are much more hesitant and more likely to reconsider their plans. Murderers are selfish and sick-minded people who have no consideration of others. Isaac Ehrlich puts it perfectly, “ if one execution of a guilty capital murderer deters the murder of one innocent life, the execution is justified.” Therefore, capital punishment should be strictly enforced and legalized.Capital punishment also provides protection to the society. Philosopher Jackues Barzun compares such criminals to wolves.
Supporters of the death penalty argue that it is the only just punishment for a murderer. I believe that the death penalty should be ended because one’s life is not more precious than another, the process is inhumane, and it is expensive. One of the reasons the death penalty should be stopped is because it puts the value of one’s life over another. Others may claim that the death penalty is a way to punish murderers. Although murder is a horrific crime to commit, is death really the only just punishment?
The fear of the death penalty will send a message to stop people from being violent and killing each other; people are afraid of death more than any other moral punishment, so enforcing the death penalty for criminals will certainly see a reduction in crimes as imminent death is what people fear the most. Therefore the death penalty is the best or at least a better deterrent against major crimes compared to life imprisonment, if used consistently and swiftly; the frequency and certainty of the punishment is more important than the severity of the punishment. Moreover if criminals know that the punishment of death will be enforced after committing crimes, they will think twice; but if they know that they will get a slap on the wrist or even get away with murder what then is going
However, a serial killer, who kills people for fun or for his personal gain, definitely deserves the death penalty. The punishment meted out should fit the severity of the crime. The death penalty should continue in order to “eliminate” those who do not contribute positively towards society. Firstly, the death penalty serves as an effective deterrent and helps in reducing crime, knowing that they could lose their lives. Secondly, it is true that death penalty is irreversible, but it is hard to kill a wrongly convicted person due to the several chances given to the convicted to prove his innocence with the appellate systems in place with the existing justice system, otherwise why does every country in the world have one?
In this paper, I will discuss the effect that capital punishment has on deterring criminal activity. Capital punishment is the execution of criminals by the state, for committing crimes, regarded so terrible, that this type of punishment is the only acceptable punishment for the crime committers. For decades now, there has been an ongoing debate over the death penalty in America. The chief argument in favor of death sentences is the fact that it can be used as a deterrent. Deterrence is the idea that executing the murderers will decrease the rates of homicide by discouraging future murderers.
Robbery Facts. Retrieved February 10, 2013, from Crime Doctor: http://www.crimedoctor.com/robbery1.htm Federal Bureau of Investigation. (n.d.). Uniform Crime Report - Robbery. Retrieved February 10, 2013, from FBI: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2010/crime-in-the-u.s.-2010/violent-crime/robberymain Tecco, H. (2009, October 19).
One of the functions of the criminal justice system is to administer a fair and just punishment for the crime committed by the suspect .Most Americans seem to agree with or oppose capital punishment on a case by case basis. Some Americans believe the death penalty brings justice, when someone is murdered. Capital punishment is a controversial issue in the society. Pros--Some people favor the death penalty because it is believed to deter crime. Criminals might think twice before they commit a crime if they knew they were going to get the death penalty.
The issues that this paper will address are retribution, , arbitrariness and innocence. Immanuel Kant asserted that, “If…he has committed murder he must die. In this case, there is no substitute that will satisfy the requirements of legal justice.” Kant and other supporters of the death penalty argue that if a person commits murder they are giving up their right to life and deserve death. The murderer knows that he could be punished for his crime so the death penalty cannot be unjust to a murderer. (van den Haag) The argument of retribution is also based in the religious idea of “an eye for an eye” or “a life for a life”.
Death penalty VS Life in prison By Colin Robertson “Other states are trying to abolish the death penalty... mine's putting in an express lane.” – Ron White The death penalty, as it is commonly referred, is the penalty sometimes given to the criminals faced with the most horrific crimes possible. Many feel it is necessary in order to keep society safe because of how it permanently removes these select people from society, feeling that this will keep them safe from danger. It has been a part of the justice system since the beginning of human history, used primarily in cases of murder, treason and in military service, but just because something is old, doesn’t mean it’s what is right. The last several centuries have seen the emergence of modern nation states. Almost obvious to the concept of nation state is the idea of citizenship.
The death penalty is a necessary tool for the United States as it helps reduce the extreme crimes that are arising today. The Death penalty has many opponents. Stephanie Boys is just one in thousands. In her article “The Death Penalty: An Unusual Punishment America is Inflicting Upon Itself” she argues that the death penalty is unconstitutional because it is cruel and unusual punishment. She quotes the Constitution of the United States and argues that the Death Penalty goes against the 8th amendment.