Assignment 1: Incorporating Sources

In Favor of the Death Penalty

By Alexa Vigenser

Argosy University

Composition 1 English 101

1/14/14

Introduction

Whether death penalty should be abolished or not is one of the most debated issues throughout the world. Religious leaders, philosophers and key personnel have different views regarding whether or not the death penalty should be abolished or not. It is the goal of this essay to argue that death penalty should not be abolished. The essay will give arguments supporting this thesis and then give some of the arguments against.

Following this, an overall analysis would be done by comparing whether the arguments supporting the thesis are more than those against it. For the arguments against the thesis, the essay will include counterarguments. Among the major supporting points that will be used to argue why death penalty should not be abolished is that allowing death penalty would deter people from committing murder and the other point is that death penalty can act as a means of giving peace of mind to the victims and their families and puts an end to the crime. Most of the information for this essay would be gathered from the death penalty Gallup poll.

Supporting Points

1. It is a way of managing and preventing crimes especially serious crimes

· Firstly, death penalty is associated with the highest form of fear. The highest form of fear can help in saving life because people or criminals would opt into not committing crimes because of the consequences associated with it. This will help in saving life.

·  Death penalty ensures that the hardcore criminals are eliminated in the society hence help in eliminating cases where a criminal escape in the prison and then continue committing crimes (Walter 1979). This is true especially when one compares the death penalty and the life sentence.

·   Justice, and in particular the theory of retribution allows for tit for tat principles when it comes to addressing criminal issues. Because of this, the theory suggests that if a person kills, he or she should be killed also. This means that death penalty should be allowed so as to act as a way of dealing with murderers. This would ensure that justice is upheld.

2. It is a way of restoring confidence and comforting victims and families

· Death penalty can act as a way of assuring the family and friends that their security is taken care of. This is especially if the murderer had some personal grudge with all family members.

· There are countless testimonies that the victims and relatives of murder case tend to have a peace of mind when they know that the person who murdered their relative would undergo the same pain through death penalty.

· Death penalty is a way through which a state governed by law can instill confidence to the victims and families affected.

· Death penalty has been found to neutralize the pain inflicted on the victim’s family. Findings from Hugo (1987) shows that when the death penalty is carried out, it means a clear and decisive turning point for many.

3. The death penalty is the best answer to murder

· This is supported by the theory of retribution, which states that justice is possible when the equal degree of punishment is given to the wrong done. If a person kills, he or she should be killed.

· Death penalty is morally allowed as a way of protecting the safety and welfare of the citizens (Edward 1985). This is especially if the murderer is a threat to many.

· Capital punishment contends that society should support those practices that will bring about the greatest balance of good over evil, and capital punishment is one such practice. Death penalty is one of the measures of achieving this.

Counter-Arguments:

Despite the fact that death penalty is one of the best means of managing crimes, comforting the victims and families, and resolving murder cases, there are a number of counter-arguments. These include:

1. The death penalty does not dissuade criminals 2. The death penalty is always cruel 3. The possibility exists that innocent men and women may be put to death.

Response to Counter-Arguments:

1. Statistical studies show that since 2001, that capital punishment has deterrent effects Death (Penalty Gallup Poll 2012). Consequently, based on such statistics, it is not true to argue that death penalty does not dissuade criminals. 2. The Supreme Court has ruled that the death penalty does not violation of the Eighth Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment, but the Eighth Amendment does shape certain procedural aspects regarding when a jury may use the death penalty and how it must be carried out (Van der, and Conrad, 1983). Consequently, although death penalty seems cruel, there are protocols and procedures that are followed to address the issue of cruelty.

3. Emergence of new forensic technology has help in resolving the uncertainties such as crucifying or killing the innocents (Hugo, 1997). For example, DNA testing and other methods of modern crime scene science can now effectively eliminate almost all uncertainty as to a person's guilt or innocence.

Conclusion

From the above discussion, it is apparent that death penalty is an imperative component of the legal system. Apart from managing serious crimes and restoring peace and confidence on the affected victims, the death penalty can also act as the best measure of intervening to murder cases. Despite the existence of counter-arguments, it is apparent that most of such arguments are baseless. Consequently, this essay has proved the thesis statement that states that the death penalty should be allowed.

Implications:

The need for capital punishment is greater today than it has been at any time in the past. The crime rate is soaring out of control. Murders are tearing our people, our cities, and country apart. Author Thomas Draper said it well, when he said “no society can abolish crime, so their only hope is to do everything they can to control it.” It is time for the United States to mandate the death penalty for the crime of murder in all 50 states and to carry out the executions of those sentenced to death.

References

Death Penalty Gallup Poll (2012). Retrieved from: http://www.gallup.com/poll/1606/Death-Penalty.aspx...