THE DEATH PENALTY

The Death Penalty

The Death Penalty

Introduction

There are many things in this society which should be banned, but the death penalty is not one of them. It is definitely the right way to go as far as capital discipline is concerned. Right now in our country, it finds it outrageous that criminals think that they can get away with just about anything. In some states, including Alabama, (Davis 2001:41) the death penalty has helped them lower the rate of violent crimes. We need some form of capital punishment to send a message to career criminals that they will not get away with these severe crimes. The death penalty should be banned because it causes too much financial stress on America's taxpayers. When compared to a criminal serving natural life, the cost of putting a felon to death is many times more expensive; this could range from being two to even five times more costly to taxpayers. This expense is caused mostly by the proceedings the court must go through to approve of such a punishment, including “endless appeals, additional required procedures, and legal wrangling that drag the process out” (2). These proceedings could take years to conclude; that are why it is not uncommon for a convict to spend fifteen to twenty years on death row. With great time, comes a great investment, so we must ask ourselves whether is it really necessary to keep this punishment when one that is just as, if not more, effective is an option. This paper discusses The death penalty (should or shouldn't) be banned as a form of punishment.

Discussion

The death penalty would also make people more secure. In some countries of South America and the Far East, they have very severe penalties, including flogging, for even minor crimes. People in some areas of our nation feel they cannot walk around or step outside their houses for fear of criminals. In other countries, however, you would rarely see laws being broken because the penalties are so stern. (Baldus 2004:10) The United States is one of the most lenient countries in the world as far as discipline. If we had the death penalty, all people would be able to use the streets even in troubled areas. Another reason we should use this is to set an example to all criminals. Some criminals who have committed many violent crimes (robbery, rape, and murder) are walking the streets like normal citizens because we are much too lenient on them. If the death penalty is instituted, there would not be as many daring and violent crimes as there are presently. Our present laws are much too "soft" on criminals. We need to get stricter.

In the last few weeks the U.S. Supreme Court (in my opinion) — set a dangerous precedence for murderers under the age of 18. If we're going to have a civilized society, we're going to have to take the high road and punish the criminals to fit the crime, no matter what their ...