Capital Punishment - Essay Example

Capital Punishment Capital Punishment Capital punishment is one of the most debated and controversial topics in the world. Even in America, one of the most civilised societies in the world, capital punishment is legal. There are many arguments in favour and against capital punishment. This paper argues against capital punishment after analysing the arguments in favour and against it. Arguments in favour and against capital punishmentSupporters of capital punishment are of the view that in the absence of capital punishment, people may engage in more criminal activities.

In their opinion, crime rates cannot be controlled without strong punishment and capital punishment is one way of preventing people from staying away from severe criminal activities. However, it should be noted that crime rates in countries where capital punishment prevail, are almost similar to that other countries where capital punishment is illegal. “Capital punishment never allows a criminal to change his behaviour as in the case of other forms of punishments”(10 Pros and Cons of Capital Punishment, 2010).

Correction is the ultimate objective of every punishment. Capital punishment provides no opportunity to the criminal for correcting his antisocial behaviour. In other words, capital punishment cannot be considered a punishment, but it is an act of killing. By providing capital punishment to a killer, criminal justice system is also doing the same mistake as committed by the criminal. In other words, the activities of the criminal justices system and that of the criminal may not be different while providing capital punishment.

Both are doing the same act; taking the life of another person. American criminal justice system believes that “partisan advocacy of both sides on a case will promote the ultimate objective that the guilty be convicted and the innocent go free” (Ferdic et al, 2008, p.37). There are chances of wrongly punishing an innocent person because of the circumstantial evidences or the fabricated evidences. The ultimate aim of every criminal justice system is that no innocent should be punished even if thousands of criminals escaped.

Capital punishment is an irreversible act and nobody can return the life of a person if that person found innocent later. “One of the studies has shown that capital punishment is around 70% expensive compared to non death penalty cases or life imprisonment cases” (Pros and Cons of the Death Penalty (Capital Punishment), 2009). Compared to other types of punishment, capital punishment is an expensive act. Life terms are cheaper than capital punishment. Capital punishment requires different types of court procedures, services of advocates, forensic experts etc.

All these activities may cost the taxpayer a big amount and therefore it is better to keep the criminal in jails for his entire life span than taking his life. Morally, it is wrong to take the life of another person since life is the most precious thing in this world. The secrets behind life after death or before birth are still unknown to us. Under such circumstances, it is logical to allow the creator to take back the life created by him. In other words, only the creator has the moral right to finish the life of a person and creations like humans have no role in such things.

ConclusionsCapital punishment should be avoided because of the importance of human life on earth. Instead of capital punishment, life terms should be provided so that the threats from the hard-core criminals could be avoided. References10 Pros and Cons of Capital Punishment, (2010), Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/10-pros-and-cons-of-capital-punishment.htmlFerdico J N, Fradella H F & Totten C D. (2008). Criminal Procedure for the Criminal Justice Professional. Wadsworth Cengage Learning, Tenth EditionPros and Cons of the Death Penalty (Capital Punishment) (2009).

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