Abstract
The paper begins by presenting some background and statistics about capital punishment in the USA. The viewpoints of both the proponents and the opponents of capital punishment are listed and problems with the use of capital punishment (such as pardoning leading to further crime, and innocent people being executed) are discussed. The paper explores public support of the death penalty and then turns to discuss the recent Washington DC sniper case and the possibility of capital punishment for the offenders. The controversiality of choice of location for the trial is looked at and the new anti-terrorism law is brought up. The paper concludes with some summation comments on capital punishment.

From the Paper
"Between 1977 and 2000, 683 inmates have been put to death under the death penalty laws of their state. 519 were by lethal injection, 149 were by electrocution, 11 were by lethal gas, 2 were by firing squad, and 3 were by hanging (Editors 347).

Capital punishment has always been a controversial and emotional issue. In the United States, controversy over capital punishment began as early as Colonial times after American gained her independence from Great Britain. Some people began to wonder if anyone really had the right to take a human life, even the government (Vila and Morris xxv), and the debate has raged on ever since."

Tags:death, penalty, capital, punishment, Sniper

Abstract
This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the topic of criminal justice and capital punishment. Capital punishment is said to be a deterrent to crime and murder and the paper discusses many studies that have shown that capital punishment is a deterrent to murder. It also shows the opposite perspective that it does not deter crime or murder. It also presents other arguments for and against capital punishment.

From the Paper
"Research also shows that much of the evidence used in death penalty studies can be skewed by the results of one state. Texas executes more prisoners than any other state. Researchers Sunstein and Vermeule found that one study was discredited for saying capital punishment is a deterrent because it based its evidence on data that included Texas for the final results. They found when the Texas data was removed from the remaining results, no deterrent was evident (Sunstein & Vermeule, 2005)."

Tags:capital punishment, murder, criminal justice

Abstract
This policy paper analyzes the capital murder statute in Texas and discusses the existence of particular problems concerning two aspects of the manner in which capital punishment is administered: the definition of capital murder and the ways in which capital murder cases are administered. With respect to the multi-part series of articles published in the Houston Chronicle regarding the use of capital punishment in Harris County, this paper briefly touches on several examples of significant problems surrounding the way capital punishment is administered there.

From the Paper
"Capital punishment is a highly contentious issue in the realm of law enforcement. In any discussion of the death penalty, the state of Texas tends to be a primary focus due to the fact that Texas carries out far more executions than any other American state. "

Tags:capital, punishment, texas

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that there has long been a close connection between religious belief and a belief in capital punishment, just as there is some relationship between religious beliefs and opposition to capital punishment. This paper considers the role of religion in shaping attitudes toward capital punishment and policies adopted for capital punishment, noting first that different religious denominations take a different attitude toward the subject.

From the Paper
"Different religious denominations take a different attitude toward the subject so that followers take their cues from that denomination, such as the current divide seen in America between many evangelical Protestant churches that support capital punishment and the Catholic Church that does not. At a deeper level, support often hinges on the degree of reliance on the Bible as an unerring source, with those supporting capital punishment finding a direct admonition for capital punishment in scripture."

Tags:religion, capital, punishment

Abstract
This paper explores the relationship between race and capital punishment. Specifically the researcher explores the racial differences in attitudes toward capital punishment, focusing on juvenile opinions. The paper examines factors affecting views on capital punishment, arguments for and against, attitudes towards the death penalty and provides a review of the literature used in the paper.

Outline:
Introduction
Literature
What Predicts Death Penalty Support?
Arguments For and Against Death Penalty
Public Opinion and Attitudes
Death Penalty Attitudes of the Offender
Death Penalty Attitudes of Juveniles
Summary of the Literature
Discussion
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"Attitudes among juveniles regarding capital punishment are just as heated and challenging as they are among adults. While few studies directly explore the relationship between the death penalty and juveniles, there are reports provided by some empirical researchers suggesting by and large, the juvenile population is just as divided as the American people are on the issue. As noted in the introduction, the Death Penalty Information Center (2006) suggests at least 50% of all adults support the death penalty. However, the same group when offered other alternatives including the alternative of life without parole are likely to change their minds and their opinions of the death penalty. In ancient times, most people unequivocally supported the death penalty, as there were few resources available to conduct elaborate or even minimal burials to individuals that had committed crimes (Bedau & Cassell, 2004)."

Tags:crime, punishment, death, penalty, capital, punishment, youth, race, society, social, economic

Abstract
This paper discusses two cases where individuals were convicted of murder and debates the ethical reasoning behind being a pro or con on the issue of capital punishment. The paper suggests ways in which deontological philosophy can be interpreted in some instances being for capital punishment and also times when it would be against. Thesis statement and conclusion argue that no ethical or moral thinker would applaud capital punishment, therefore nor would deontology.

From the Paper
"Capital punishment can be defined as the legal action declared within a court of law that sentences a person to death. The morality behind such a decision, to essentially take another human's life, has long been a topic of considerable debate. As the deontological perspective is understood to mirror the Golden Rule, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you," an argument could effectively be made for either the pro or con side of capital punishment. On one hand, if the murdering perpetrator followed the Golden Rule, the defendant should have no problem if the state did unto him what he or she had done unto their victims. In direct contrast..."

Tags:deontology, capital, punishment

Abstract
This paper provides a description and assessment of four scholarly articles which provide arguments in favor of capital punishment and arguments in opposition to capital punishment. More specifically, the paper gives the appropriate bibliographical information for each source and then carefully outlines the salient points raised by each. Finally, the last section of the paper briefly explains why one of the sources appears to be the best of the quartet while another seems to flag behind the others. In the end, the paper reveals just how contentious the issue of capital punishment is and how divided the academic community remains even after decades of research.

Tags:capital, punishment, deterrence

Abstract
This paper examines the arguments for and against capital punishment. It provides ample evidence suggesting that capital punishment is an inappropriate form of punishment that does little to address the underlying causes of social unrest and violence.

From the Paper
"The debate about capital punishment has long been a heated one. Supporters argue that capital punishment offers a form of deterrence; they also argue that it is a form of justice that underscores a society's abhorrence for gruesome acts. On the other hand, opponents argue that capital punishment does not serve an adequate deterrent and still others suggest that capital punishment barbarizes the state and constitutes a moral regression for any putatively progressive society. The following paper will briefly examine both sides and conclude that capital punishment does not serve as an effective deterrent and does little to address the root factors that cause violence. With that in mind, it is do a discussion of this controversial issue that this paper now turns."

Tags:capital, punishment, failure

Abstract
This paper explains that capital punishment is a controversial issue. The author points out that many people say killing people who commit murder is wrong, while others argue that murderers should receive a death sentence. The paper states that capital punishment is justifiable for murder, and this death sentence should be carried out as soon as possible after the jury trial.

From the Paper
"However, many they may be who have committed a murder, or have even commanded it, or acted as art and part in it, they ought all to suffer death (Avaliani 2004). Capital punishment is a controversial issue with many people saying that killing people who commit murder is wrong, while others argue that murderers should receive a death sentence. Capital punishment is justifiable for murder with the person receiving a death sentence and this sentence should be carried out as soon as possible after the jury trial."

Tags:capital, punishment, kant

Abstract
This paper examines the sociological arguments for and against capital punishment policy in the United States. It looks at capital punishment as proportionate justice and as a divisive issue in the United States.

Tags:capital punishment, death penalty, sociology, conflict theory, interactionist theory, amnesty, human rights