Arguments Against Capital Punishment

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On any given day, someone might read in the newspaper or hear about a person committing a crime.That person committed murder, they then receive the death penalty. Is this justice? What if they raped someone and received the death penalty? Does the punishment fit the crime? Capital punishment is quite controversial. Many argue against it, saying this form of punishment proves unconstitutional. However, those convicted obtain a reasonable punishment and opportunities to have their cases reassessed if need be. Furthermore, the death penalty provides criminals with a reasonable punishment, given their case, without exceeding constitutional provisions. Capital punishment provides reasonable punishment given the crime. According to most state’s…show more content…
Different sentences exist for different crimes or violations of any kind. These range from a simple fine to the death penalty. All serving the same purpose, justice. Justice may be interpreted as different things although overall, it gives a suitable punishment per crime. The death penalty, though controversial, is one of those suitable punishments. It is said that life imprisonment is preferable to this and provides a better deterrent for crime. However, in the end the death penalty prevents more crimes. While in prison many adopt aggressive behaviors and other behavioral changes. These behaviors lead to an increase in crime. Capital punishment puts an end to this. Many families are affected as well. This type of sentence brings closure to the families of not only the victims but the convicts as well. There are many benefits of capital punishment, not to mention that it is constitutional under the Eighth Amendment and through a writ of habeas corpus or clemency those wrongly convicted have opportunities to adjust their sentence. The death penalty provides a fitting punishment per crime without exceeding constitutional…show more content…
"Capital Punishment Should Be Maintained." Capital Punishment: Cruel and Unusual?, 2012 ed., Gale, 2012. Information Plus Reference Series. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Accessed 19 Jan. 2018. ---. "Death Penalty Laws: State, Federal, and U.S. Military." Capital Punishment: Cruel and Unusual?, 2012 ed., Gale, 2012. Information Plus Reference Series. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Accessed 18 Jan. 2018. "Habeas Corpus." American Law Yearbook 2007, Gale, 2008, pp. 103-106. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Accessed 19 Jan. 2018. "Introduction to Death Penalty: Current Controversies." Death Penalty, edited by Noël Merino, Greenhaven Press, 2015. Current Controversies. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Accessed 19 Jan. 2018. Kane, Gregory. "The Death Penalty Is Preferable to Life Imprisonment." Capital Punishment, edited by Mary E. Williams, Greenhaven Press, 2005. Current Controversies. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Accessed 19 Jan. 2018. Originally published as "To Murder Victims' Families, Executing Killers Is Justice," Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2003. Rus, Mihaela. "Psychological aspect of liberty deprivation and custodial environment." Contemporary Readings in Law and Social Justice, vol. 4, no. 2, 2012, p. 809+. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Accessed 18 Jan.
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