Pros and Cons of Capital Punishment
PRO’S AND CON’S OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT Capital punishment has been the center of much controversy dating back to its origins. Although the roots of capital punishment can be traced as far back as 1697 BC, arguments over its effectiveness and morality continue in the midst of its existence today. ... Most people who believe that the death penalty is a fair punishment use the argument, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, an arm for an arm, and a life for a life. While most people who are in opposition use the argument that capital punishment is a cruel and unusual punishment, which violates the eighth amendment to the United States Constitution. In the times surrounding the origins of capital punishment, it was used for a wide variety of crimes. Capital punishment can also be found in the Bible. ... (Lexicon Universal Encyclopedia, 1989) The United States inherited capital punishment from European settlers in the seventeenth century. They promoted the idea that heinous crimes deserved severe punishment. And this is what brought capital punishment to its present standing. In the United States justice system a proportionate punishment is achieved, in the case of a person who committed a crime, when the death penalty is enforced. ... 17-24) By 1800 Parliament had enacted many new capital offenses, and hundreds of persons were being sentenced to death each year. ... But more modern methods of capital punishment are typically accomplished by lethal gas or injection, electrocution, hanging or shooting. The argument over the brutality of capital punishment is at the head of topics concerning it as a whole. ... About 90 nations have denounced capital punishment by abolishing it, but almost an equal amount of nations retain it. Capital punishment remains legal in all but twelve states. ... Another argument against capital punishment is that people who are innocent may be killed.