Introduction
Death penalty is also called as capital punishment. It is a government-authorized practice wherein a person gets slewed by the state. This is done to punish the person for the crime he has committed. This type of sentence where a person gets reprimanded in this manner is called as a death sentence. Some of the crimes that falls under death penalty are murder, child sexual abuse, mass murder, treason, terrorism, offenses committed against the State, espionage, etc. Death penalty is a serious issue of debate. Let us know more about it.
Read Also: Debate On Capital Punishment
Morality
Death penalty is reserved for the brutal and conscienceless crimes. It is a form of a state-operated lottery that picks unfortunate ones for the ultimate punishment out of those who are convicted of murder. This is done on a random basis. Such sentence killers deserve punishment not less than death. A long duration imprisonment in prison would be unequal to the brutality of the crime. The death penalty endorses belief and reverence for the moral order and for the human law system that supports that moral order. They believe that a death penalty is moral and just punishment for the most of the serious crimes. The victims as well as their families are ethically allowed to seek for revenge.
Opponents believe that capital punishment or death penalty is a failure. It does not play any constructive role in the current criminal justice system. It is difficult to put an end to this punishment. It doesn’t contribute to a healthier society. According to their view, a death penalty is socially, politically and morally incorrect. Killing a person by the state is also wrong. However, the political, economic and social costs of vengeance is very high. No level of national interest can validate violation of human rights such as the torture or death penalty.
Constitutionality
Proponents believe that petitioners, should be sentenced to death for all the crimes that they commit. These petitioners rely on the 8th Amendment of the constitution to nullify their charges. This is because the 8th Amendment puts only those penalties that added terror, disgrace or pain to a permissible capital sentence. Such brutal murderers should not be forgiven as the crimes committed by them alters the life of the victim and their family members.
Opponents believe that the Constitution prohibits the infliction of unusual and cruel punishments. The Court views that the constitutional issues in the death penalty can be healed. It is believed that the death penalty or capital punishment violates the 8th Amendment.”
Reduction in crime rate
Proponents say that a few crimes are so much heinous and wrong that they need stringent action and penalties. It includes lifetime sentences and even death. Recent investigations have shown that various statistical methods showcased a strong connection between reduced rate of assassination and executions. Proponent believe that capital punishment contributes in saving lives of people.
On the other hand, opponents believe that there is not a slightest trusted statistical proof that states that capital punishment lowers the number of homicides. There is no noticeable impact of death penalty on crime rate. There is a very small chance of changes in behavior of a sociopathic deviant. He is untroubled by any type of sanction.
Retribution
As per proponents, the government has the responsibility to penalize the ones who deserve it. It should only be done to the extent they deserve it. Irrespective of benefits in the future, government justify this punishment as it is deserved. The punishment should be such that it fits the intensity of crime and not lesser than it in any case.
Opponents says that revenge and retribution is wrongly equated. It is not right to seek revenge because of the pain and suffering inflicted on them. Revenge doesn’t know any limits, but retribution has to be proportional, appropriately directed and limited. Only those people should be penalized deserve it the most. It should not be done on a random basis. The government should refine capital punishment statutes and also review the verdicts of everyone held on death row.
Irrevocable Mistakes
People who supports death penalty states that the government does not punish the innocence. It is only after obtaining strong evidence against the person that the government punishes the accused. A jury of twelve citizens render a death judgement after an thorough trial where the defendant assassin is represented by 2 competent lawyers and overlooked by an unbiased judge who assures a fair trial.
Opponents believe that more than 150 people have been put to death despite of being innocent. Even though their DNA proof conclusively proved them innocent, these innocent people were executed. There are various cases where prosecuting attorney considered exculpatory information and introduced bogus pieces of proof. They very well knew that the accused were forced into enter a guilty appeal to a misconduct they had not done.
