Capital Punishment

Capital Punishment

Capital Punishment is something that many people do not have a clear opinion on. Many people support capital punishment, while others wish for capital punishment to be abolished, and there are some that support capital punishment, but only in certain cases. Capital punishment should only be used for cruel crimes, or serial crimes such as murder.

The groups that support capital punishment often say that is a deterrent for future criminals who are thinking of committing murders or other bad crimes. I disagree with that because criminals do not think of the consequences of their actions when they are committing a crime, nor do they care. Amnesty International, which opposes capital punishment, reports that scientific studies have not produced any conclusive evidence showing that capital punishment is a deterrent for future crimes to be committed. However, the only deterrent for a murderer to not commit a crime again would be execution.

Various people who are opposed to the death penalty say that capital punishment condemns the innocent to die. According to the Fifth Amendment in the United States Bill of Rights, "No person shall be held to answer for a capital crime, or otherwise infamous crime unless on a presentment of an indictment of a grand jury" (except in military cases). While it is true that a few innocent people have "slipped through the cracks" of the justice system and been convicted and executed unfairly, it is extremely rare that this type of situation happens. By the time that all appeals are exhausted, it is most likely that the attorneys will find new evidence to support alleged criminals' innocence from examining the case so many times.

Its adversaries have called capital punishment cruel and unusual, but I disagree. According to the Fifth Amendment in the United States Bill of Rights, "No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." (legal-dictionary.) Even with this Fifth Amendment in place many people question the constitutionality of capital punishment because of Eighth Amendment, which states, "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted." The cruel and unusual punishments clause restricts the severity of punishments that state and federal governments may impose upon persons who have been convicted of a criminal offense. (legal-dictionary)

Many are disturbed by the execution of mentally incompetent criminals. The U.S Supreme Court on June 20, 2002 declared that the execution of the mentally retarded is unconstitutional, as well as cruel and unusual punishment. (the daily beast.) I support capital punishment in special cases, after the guilt of the criminal is proven beyond the shadow of a doubt. However, the