Abstract
This paper discusses the controversial issue of whether mentally retarded individuals should receive capital punishment for criminal offenses. It analyzes the book "Of Mice and Men," written by John Steinbeck, in order to illustrate these points. The paper discusses the outcome in the novel and questions the attitudes that are revealed in the book. It also describes how the character may have been dealt with differently in today's world.

From the Paper
"Many people believe that the mentally retarded should receive capital punishment if they murder a person and can be considered dangerous. Harrison Kane believes that a mentally retarded individual should receive punishment if it is "deemed equitable, just, and proportional if it fits the harm done by the offender and his or her established level of culpability" ((31). Kane states that IQ is a factor in whether a person should receive the death sentence, but it should not be the only factor. Perhaps Kane would have felt that Lennie should receive the death penalty because he could be considered dangerous because he killed a mouse, a dog, and a human. However, did Lennie know that he was going to kill these?"

Tags:death, penalty, execution, IQ, murder, culpability

Abstract
This paper presents a detailed examination of one aspect of the controversial topic of capital punishment. The writer explores the ethics of sentencing mentally handicapped people to the death penalty. S/he presents both sides of the argument and ends with the conclusion that it is not ethical, because of their inability to understand the seriousness or the consequences of their actions.

Table Of Contents
Introduction
Literature Review
Precipitave Behavior
Putting it Together
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The issue of capital punishment has maintained its center stage position in the debate arena for many years. At times, the nation supports its use, and believes it can serve as a useful deterrent to would be criminals. At other times the nation swings toward abolishment in the hopes that treating humans more like humans will encourage criminals to use more compassion and not hurt others. For many years the debate has raged and the support for the death penalty has been given and taken away. Regardless of the nations stance at any given time regarding the death penalty there is always a heated debate about who should be executed. Whether or not to execute those who commit capital crimes but are mentally retarded has been a very sensitive issue. Mentally retarded adults present a special challenge to the judicial system(Hayes, 1997)."

Tags:ethics, retarded, execution, criminal, responsibility

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 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
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 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