Abstract
This document discusses a research project with the death penalty in the United States as the topic. According to the paper, the research project is quantitative in nature relying on an experimental methodology. A random sampling of the U.S. population will be utilized with the telephone directory databases acting as the sampling frame.

From the Paper
"This document discusses a research project with the death penalty in the United States as the topic. The research project is quantitative in nature relying on an experimental methodology. A random sampling of the U.S. population will be utilized with the telephone directory databases acting as the sampling frame. Death Penalty Research Project Overview The death penalty is a contentious issue in the United States. As a rule, Americans recognize its importance as a legal deterrence but beyond this..."

Tags:death, penalty, research

Abstract
The paper discusses a research project on the death penalty in the United States. The paper explains that the purpose of the study is to gain an accurate picture of consensus opinion regarding the death penalty. The paper further explains that the research project is quantitative in nature, relying on an experimental methodology. The paper states that a random sampling of the U.S. population will be utilized with the telephone directory databases acting as the sampling frame.

Outline:
Abstract
Overview
Type of Research
Implications of Research
Research Design
Sampling Type
Sampling Frame
Data Gathering Technique
Survey Questions

From the Paper
"The death penalty is a contentious issue in the United States. As a rule, Americans recognize its importance as a legal deterrence but beyond this broad recognition of importance it quickly devolves into arguments of moral authority versus ethical constraints regarding humanitarian treatment, among others. In fact, although the Supreme Court has ruled that the death penalty is a legal form of punishment, the judiciary across the United States is quite ambiguous about the rationale behind it (Bedau & Cassell, 2004, p.7). Based on these and other observations it is clear that a definitive opinion regarding the death penalty, as it relates to the general public could prove quite useful to future research as well as future legal ramification related to it."

Tags:consensus, sampling, population, probability, data, techniques

Abstract
This paper explains that the American Bar Association observed that no state meets its own standards for competent counsel in a death case. The author points out that the competence of a defense counsel is of paramount significance in death penalty cases based on the First Judiciary Act of 1789, which provided for the appointment of a "learned" counsel, especially in capital cases. The paper relates that, to improve the quality of representation and the cost effectiveness of defense services in federal cases, the judiciary established the Federal Death Penalty Resource Counsel Project (RCP) in 1992, which consists of three experienced capital litigators who support the counsel and provide input to the Administrative Office on a part-time basis.

From the Paper
"A solid example of the inadequacy occurred in the case of Delma Banks, Jr., a poor man from Texas, who would have been executed if it were not for the last-minute stay obtained for him by former FBI director and US District Judge William Sessions from the Supreme Court themselves. Judge Sessions said, When a criminal defendant is forced to pay with his life for his lawyer's errors, the effectiveness of the criminal justice system as a whole is undermined. Banks' lawyer did not effectively cross-examine the informant or investigate the case, or he would have known that Blacks was elsewhere at the time of the crime. The lawyer did not challenge the one-day trial systematically held by the prosecutors, so that one day later, Banks was sentenced to death as a "future danger to society". Banks' lawyer did not refute the state's claim despite the fact that his client had no criminal history of violence on record."

Tags:banks, counsel, standard, learned, cost

Abstract
This paper compares and analyzes the sentence of life imprisonment as opposed to the death penalty, including the public perception and opinion on these topics. The paper explains that the failure of juries in understanding that very long sentences are available in lieu of the death penalty has resulted in many juries, as reported in the work of Dieter, giving the recommendation for the death penalty when they would have recommended otherwise if they had been in possession of the facts. The paper also discusses factors in wrongful conviction, and notes the innocence projects that strive to identify people who, despite being found guilty in court and having their convictions affirmed on appeal, may be actually innocent of the crimes for which they were convicted. The paper concludes that it is important that the facts concerning capital punishment are made available not only to the general public, but most specifically to those serving on the jury of someone who is being tried for a criminal act that is eligible for death penalty sentencing. This paper contains illustrative charts and tables.

Outline:
Introduction
Alternatives to the Death Penalty
Factors Responsible for Wrongful Convictions
ABC News Opinion Poll
Summary and Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"ABC News conducted a public opinion poll in 2000 concerning public support for or against the death penalty and states that while public support of the death penalty is noted as "high" it is "hardly monolithic: It drops sharply, below a majority, when life in prison without parole is offered as an alternative." (2000) Approximately 2/3 of Americans state support for the death penalty in cases where the defendant has been convicted of murder. However, when quizzed as to which punishment "they prefer, death or life without parole, support for the death penalty plunges from 64 to 48 percent." (ABC News, 2000) the death penalty is supported to a much less extent among Democrats than Republicans and the following statistics are stated by ABC News."

Tags:wrongful, conviction, capital, punishment, without, parole, lifer, injustice

Abstract
In this study, the writer examines the scientific and statistical validity of a series of studies. Each of the studies selected examines, from a statistical perspective, some aspect of the death penalty. The writer discusses various related areas of interest including statistics concerning connections between crime rates and the death penalty, homicide rates and the death penalty and also race, religion and the death penalty.

From the Paper
"Areas of interest considered included methods for excluding jurors in death penalty cases; connections between the death penalty and homicide rates; the link between religion, race, and support for the death penalty; and links between crime rate increases and the death penalty. Each study possessed scientific and statistical strengths, but unfortunately each was also marred by limitations that negatively affect the validity of these studies. Their use as references should be done with some scholarly caution."

Tags:statistics, death, penalty

Abstract
This paper examines the death penalty as it pertains to juveniles and discusses the importance of the issue. The writer cites several recent juvenile death penalty cases heard by the Supreme Court and provides analysis into their issues. The writer then provides a well reasoned conclusion and proposal regarding the death penalty as it pertains to juveniles.

Outline:
Introduction
The Juvenile Death Penalty Debate
Pros and Cons
Cons
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"In recent years Americans have watched in horror as teenagers committed more grisly crimes than ever before. Shooting sprees at high schools, acting as a sniper on the freeway and murdering neighbors for the sake of a few dollars worth of jewelry are just some of the juvenile cases that have received national attention. The American judicial system is faced with the task of punishing the teenagers who commit these crimes, while at the same time trying to remain fair to the United States Constitution. Over the past few decades, juvenile defendants convicted of various violent crimes have been sentenced to death. This has created heated debates in many sectors of the public as well as the legal profession. Should juveniles be put to death? That is the question that has haunted society for decades. The Supreme Court recently ruled that using the death penalty for a juvenile is no different than using it on a mentally retarded individual and should be considered cruel and inhumane punishment. Though the decision has been made and juveniles convicted of previously capital punishment cases will now serve life in prison the debate rages on about the correctness of that decision. Some believe that juveniles do not have the mental or emotional capability to understand the seriousness or the consequence of their crime. "

Tags:juvenile, death, penalty, crime

Abstract
This paper looks briefly at some of the facets of the death penalty in the US and how one might make a decision about whether or not to support the death penalty. The paper discusses the perspectives of Republicans and Democrats and whether or not either side is entirely for or against the death penalty. The final conclusion in the paper, after briefly examining both sides of the arguments, is that the death penalty is illogical, unfair and racially and socially biased.

From the Paper
"One of the most controversial topics in the US at any given time is that of whether or not to support the death penalty in a particular state. While some people may have extremely strong opinions on the matter, many are are often undecided or have conflicting viewpoints, being able to see valid points on both sides and are unable to make a definitive choice on the subject. This second group is exactly where I was when I started this paper topic. There were certain very serious crimes that seemed like they needed to be dealt with harshly, but I wondered if my emotions were outweighing my logic in those cases, and questioned whether or not any human had the right to decide the value of another person's life. The arguments I have discussed below are interesting and compelling in both cases, and have led me to lean more..."

Tags:death, penalty, debate

Abstract
This paper discusses the history of the death penalty in the United States, noting that it demonstrates a society that has been divided on the issue of executing criminals. The paper explains that opponents of the death penalty believe that as long as the process of the state committing executions exists there will be a violation of Constitutional laws intended to prevent cruel and unusual punishment. The paper also discusses the contention of those in favor of the death penalty that the punishment for a criminal act should fit the crime and that there are some crimes that are so horrendous that the death penalty is the only just punishment. Additionally, the paper points out that, although the debate has created periods in the nation's history in which executions have passed through a moratorium, most states in modern society continue to pass laws that provide for state executions, with the rate of modern executions climbing each year.

Tags:history, death, penalty

Abstract
This paper is about the death penalty and how the death penalty should be abolished in the United States. The paper argues that the death penalty is unfair and handed down arbitrarily to lower economic non-white groups. The paper poses many philosophical questions about the justice system and attempts to answer some of them.

From the Paper
"Outline The death penalty should be abolished in the United States as it is a barbaric practice that is dehumanizing, is not an effective deterrent to crime and is parceled out unequally and arbitrarily as according to race, geographic location and economic status. Summary One subject of many heated debates is the United States' practice of the death penalty. The United States is the only country of its kind that still utilizes capital punishment--the institutionalized killing of certain prisoners. The topic is multi-faceted, as it brings up many theoretical questions, such as: What is the purpose of jail and justice? How do we treat people? To what category do we place criminals? These types of questions should be a threat to the system itself. The death penalty is a practice which should not be utilized in the United States for several reasons. "

Tags:death, penalty, controversy

Abstract
In this paper, the writer discusses the death penalty, including specific major players. The writer looks at the opinions that the liberals and conservatives have on the issue. This paper discusses what the legislative, executive, and judicial branch are doing regarding the death penalty. The writer lists pros and cons provided by conservative and liberal groups regarding the death penalty.

From the Paper
"The Supreme Court representing the judicial branch ruled that the death penalty is legal in America. In the Court struck down the capital punishment statutes of states ruling that the ways the States carried out the death penalty violated the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. The Court emphasized that the way executions were conducted was unconstitutional, not the concept of execution itself. Zamgba Browne writes in the 'New York Amsterdam News' that Jesse Jackson applauded the Supreme Court decision to ban the execution ... "

Tags:death penalty, supreme court, cruel and unusual punishment, capitol punishment, statistics, racism