Capital Punishment in United States

Capital Punishment in United States

Abstract

This study investigates the history, contemporary situation, and ethical implications of capital punishment in the United States. It begins by tracing the origins of capital punishment before delving into the numerous forms of it in use today, as well as the range of opinions on its use. The paper then looks at the ethical considerations surrounding capital punishment, such as the role of deterrence, the fairness of the process, and the potential of wrongful execution. Lastly, the research study draws on academic research to examine the prospects for reforms in applying capital punishment in the United States.

Introduction

Capital punishment, or the death penalty, is often among the most contentious issues in contemporary criminal justice and public policy. The use of the death penalty is a time-honoured tradition that dates back to ancient times and has taken many different shapes throughout human history. In today’s modern nations, the death penalty is almost often reserved for the most heinous crimes, such as murder, treason, and rape. As opined by (Goel & Mazhar, 2018), this sentencing level is set aside for the most atrocious offenders and offences. In certain countries, the death penalty is still used. Several reasons may be made in support of and in opposition to the practice of the death penalty, and these arguments are often the topic of serious discussion. The study seeks to understand the history of the death penalty, its present use in the United States and other countries, and the ethical and philosophical reasons for and against the practice. In addition, it will investigate the possible repercussions of doing away with the procedure and determine whether or not it should continue to be a part of the judicial and legal system.

Literature Review

This review aims to critically assess the state of knowledge about the outcomes of death punishment. The earliest canonical writings on the death penalty primarily concern the phenomenon’s origins and evolution. This body of work investigates how this custom first came to be, how it has spread to many cultures, and how it has changed through time. Both religious and secular justifications for the ritual are explored. It also looks at the development of legal systems worldwide and how they deal with capital punishment.

History of Capital Punishment

The death penalty has been employed as a form of justice since ancient times. Some of the first known occurrences of the death penalty may be found in the Code of Hammurabi, written around 1750. Executing criminals via the death penalty was not abolished in the United States until the early 20th century. However, it had been used in the country’s early colonies as early as 1608. 1608 was the year the first person was legally executed in America as Captain George Kendall was executed in Virginia in 1608 for spying, making his death the earliest known incident. At present, just a few states in the United States make use of it, making it a very uncommon practice throughout the country.

The death sentence is legal in several countries worldwide, including the United States of America, China, India, and Saudi Arabia. Japan, Bangladesh, and Singapore all have constitutions that allow the death penalty to be used. Due to the seriousness of the crime, many countries, such as the United States of America, only apply the death penalty to particular acts, such as murder. However, in certain nations, such as China, the death sentence applies to a broader range of offences. The death penalty is seldom carried out in most countries, and strict restrictions limit when and how it may occur. Despite its infrequent use, the concept of the death penalty has been the focus of heated discussion for many years. Opponents of the practice hold that it is a brutal punishment that often ends in the execution of innocent individuals. In contrast, proponents of the approach argue that it is a vital deterrence for the most heinous of offences in the current society. As a result, there is much discussion on whether the death penalty is a humane and effective punishment. The moral rationale for the death penalty and its efficacy in preventing crime remain significant contested topics (Dezhbakhsh & Rubin, 2019)