Capital Punishment In The Criminal Justice System

Griffin 2

Brady Griffin
CSS
Ms. Robinson
February 27, 2017
Capital Punishment
One of the most controversial and highly debated topics in the criminal justice system concerns the death penalty. The majority of the population in the U.S would say they are against the death penalty. However, the death penalty is one of the most beneficial sentences the court could deliver. Our state law allows a jury to vote for “death by lethal injection” for convicted criminals. I would not vote to change this law because offenders are granted a fair trial to prove their innocence, it acts as a deterrent to other criminals, and is the appropriate punishment for someone who commits a heinous crime. The 5th amendment in the U.S constitution protects every
citizen from an unfair trial by guaranteeing these rights, prohibiting the abuse of governmental authority in legal procedures, establishing rules for indictment by eminent domain and grand jury, guarantees the due process rights, and protects citizens from self-incrimination and double jeopardy. With these rights bestowed on everyone at birth, no human will ever be treated unfairly in the court of law. Moreover, the 6th amendment in our U.S constitution also protects citizens when they go to trial by guaranteeing a fair and speedy trial and allows the accused to know their accuser. These two amendments grant everyone an equal opportunity to prove their innocence to the state and a jury of their peers. If the prosecution is seeking the death penalty, two trials will have to take place. The first to convict the criminal of his or her charges, then a second trial to provide evidence that their crime was worthy of the death penalty. Therefore, the accused citizen is given two chances to prove their innocence to the jury. If you’re convicted of a crime and it’s viewed as horrendous enough to receive the death penalty in the court of law that is what you should receive. However, every man or woman convicted and sentenced the death penalty is offered the chance to appeal to the court to get their sentence revoked to life in prison. The fairness of the U.S court system protects the unjust sentencing of the death penalty to innocent citizens. Connecticut, New York, and Maryland are a few of the many states that have chosen to abolish the death penalty over the past 15 years. These states have witnessed an increase in crime by a 7% rate. On the other hand, states that continue capital punishment have seen a 3% decrease in the amount of crime committed. In most cases, high profile criminals often already have prior experience behind bars. This knowledge and insight into the world of prison allows them to feel comfortable and no longer fear its restraints. Therefore, the implementation of the death penalty strikes fear into criminals with the unfamiliarity of death. Sentencing a vicious criminal to life in prison allows them to live their life while the victim’s family mourns the loss of their deceased loved one.
Mass serial killers such as Charles Manson, Gary Ridgeway, and Dennis Radar are still serving their life sentences for their crimes they committed many years ago. These three men are a known as a few of the most notorious killers to walk this earth. They’re responsible for hundreds of deaths of innocent people. However, criminals that commit horrendous acts of crime continue to live alone in a maximum security prison cell away from other inmates to ensure their safety. Without the use of the death penalty, these criminals never feel the pain they deserve to feel. Serial killers roam the streets of the U.S, killing victims each day all the while knowing their punishment for this crime won’t result in the loss of their own life. Unfortunately, life in prison allows horrible people to live their life out in good living conditions, perhaps even better than how they were living as a member of society. While some citizens are against the death penalty, I believe it gives families closure for the loss of their loved ones. If someone takes the life of an innocent person, it is only right they receive the same punishment their victims endured. As the controversy continues and each side represents their case, our streets will continue to be tormented by these criminals that don’t fear our justice system. The death penalty is represented well by the states that condone it as it’s used only when necessary and has never killed an innocent citizen. Capital punishment offers fairness in the courts, deters criminals from committing gruesome crimes, and is the appropriate form of punishment for someone that commits a horrific
crime.