Capital Punishment
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Capital Punishment
Foundations of Criminal Justice
Capital Punishment
Capital punishment or the death sentence is the harshest sentence that can be imposed by the courts and is reserved in the United States for murderers with aggravating factors. Thirty-eight states and the Federal Government have capital punishment statutes which allow the vilest, most depraved criminals to be put to death instead of life in prison (United States Department of Justice, 2008). The death penalty is reserved for those malevolent sociopath’s that have no concern for the lives that they take or the families of their victims whom suffer through the loss, trauma and pain of violently losing a loved one. These same individuals have taken the life and liberty of another person and as such have been tried, found guilty and sentenced to be executed all as the Supreme Court mandates. However, capital punishment is irrevocable and once complete, cannot be undone even if evidence later exonerates the executed prisoner. Capital punishment has its detractors and its supporters, but it is controversial and sure to invoke heated debate between opponents, so is the death penalty cruel and unusual punishment or just deserts?
The History of Capital Punishment
From some of the earliest known records there has been evidence of capital punishment being used in the United States and abroad. Those offenders that violated the common decency of the majority of the citizens or royalty were tried, sentenced and executed for their crimes against society’s standards. Executions were, at one time, public affairs that brought spectators from vast areas together to watch the offender’s agonizing, tortured death. These condemned prisoners were given no appeals and no chance to change their judge or executioner’s decision. Executions were carried out without delay and jails remained for the temporary incarceration of nonviolent offenders and drunkards. While the methods of execution have changed somewhat...
Foundations of Criminal Justice
Capital Punishment
Capital punishment or the death sentence is the harshest sentence that can be imposed by the courts and is reserved in the United States for murderers with aggravating factors. Thirty-eight states and the Federal Government have capital punishment statutes which allow the vilest, most depraved criminals to be put to death instead of life in prison (United States Department of Justice, 2008). The death penalty is reserved for those malevolent sociopath’s that have no concern for the lives that they take or the families of their victims whom suffer through the loss, trauma and pain of violently losing a loved one. These same individuals have taken the life and liberty of another person and as such have been tried, found guilty and sentenced to be executed all as the Supreme Court mandates. However, capital punishment is irrevocable and once complete, cannot be undone even if evidence later exonerates the executed prisoner. Capital punishment has its detractors and its supporters, but it is controversial and sure to invoke heated debate between opponents, so is the death penalty cruel and unusual punishment or just deserts?
The History of Capital Punishment
From some of the earliest known records there has been evidence of capital punishment being used in the United States and abroad. Those offenders that violated the common decency of the majority of the citizens or royalty were tried, sentenced and executed for their crimes against society’s standards. Executions were, at one time, public affairs that brought spectators from vast areas together to watch the offender’s agonizing, tortured death. These condemned prisoners were given no appeals and no chance to change their judge or executioner’s decision. Executions were carried out without delay and jails remained for the temporary incarceration of nonviolent offenders and drunkards. While the methods of execution have changed somewhat...