Capital Punishment in Texas - Essay Example

The typical methods of execution have been by electrocution, lethal injections and firing squads. Crimes such as murder, rape, piracy, treason, desertion all carried the death penalty. Currently the death penalty has been applied to crimes which fall under “capital crime” category. These capital offenses include murder of law enforcement personnel, during prison breaks, person serving life sentences, perpetrated during arson or robbery, children and multiple murders. Texas has executed 405 people since 1976 while 393 people are currently in death row (State by State Information).

There are many reasons why Texas has a high death penalty rate. Judges in Texas are elected by popular support. Public pleasure drives their desire to impose tough punishments on crime. This increases their chances of getting reelected. Further lawyers are appointed by the court that has little experience in defending capital punishment crimes. Jurors are not allowed to consider less severe evidence during the sentencing period of the trial. Still others believe that the high rate of executions has to do with Texan history of frontier justice.

Capital Punishment permanently damages justice and it is a violation of a criminal rights. Life imprisonment is a much better punishment in place of capital punishment. The death penalty is cruel and inhumane. It prevents the possibility of criminal rehabilitation. Further there is also the risk of executing innocent people. Proponents of the capital punishment claim that it acts as deterrence to murder. Murder is perpetrated either due to passion or insanity. A criminal does not take into consideration the consequences of their actions.

Capital punishment also brutalizes society since it justifies state sanctioned killings and that it is acceptable to kill in some cases. Supporters of the death penalty argue that it does not brutalize society but provides justice upon