Assignment Due February 10 At 11:59 PM: The Use Of Capital P

Assignment Due February 10 at 11:59 PM: The Use of Capital Punishment

Prepare a PowerPoint presentation of 8-10 slides that addresses the following points about capital punishment. Your slides should be clear and concise, with supporting elaboration in the “notes” area.

• What does it typically cost to execute someone? Why does it take so long and cost so much?
• Based on recent statistical data and findings, how often are innocent people given the death sentence and/or executed? How is it determined that a condemned convict was actually innocent?
• Should everyone be a candidate for capital punishment or should some people be exempt based on their position in society? Are there any other factors that should be considered in exempting people from or applying the death penalty?
• Analyze recent Supreme Court cases regarding capital punishment (from 2000 to present) and offer a reasoned prediction regarding the future use of capital punishment in the United States. Support your analysis with proper reasoning.

Paper For Above instruction

Capital punishment, often referred to as the death penalty, remains a deeply controversial issue in the United States. Debates surrounding its moral, legal, and fiscal implications have persisted for decades, with arguments both for and against its use. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of various aspects of capital punishment, including its cost, the risk of wrongful convictions, eligibility criteria, recent judicial decisions, and the future prospects of its application in American criminal justice.

Cost and Duration of Capital Punishment

The financial cost of executing an individual in the United States is significantly higher than that of incarcerating someone for life. Studies estimate that the average cost of a death penalty case can range from $1 million to $3 million, compared to approximately $1 million for a life-without-parole sentence (Nowak & Heimer, 2003). Several factors contribute to this high cost, including lengthy legal appeals, pre-trial motions, and extensive investigative procedures designed to ensure fairness and due process. The lengthy appellate process, mandated by legal standards, often extends the duration from sentencing to execution over years, sometimes decades. This prolonged process necessitates significant judicial resources and contributes to escalating legal expenses, primarily due to multiple levels of review and complex legal proceedings (Baum, 2013).

Innocence and the Risk of Wrongful Convictions

Recent statistical analyses suggest that wrongful convictions in capital cases, while relatively rare, do occur. The Innocence Project reports that hundreds of individuals on death row have been exonerated through DNA evidence, highlighting the fallibility of criminal justice systems (Gross et al., 2014). The possibility of executing innocent people remains a significant ethical concern. Determining actual innocence often involves re-examining evidence, DNA testing, and new forensic analysis, which can uncover errors such as mistaken identity, false confessions, or mishandling evidence. These cases emphasize the critical importance of meticulous judicial procedures and the need for safeguards against irreversible mistakes (Gross et al., 2014).

Eligibility for Capital Punishment

Debates persist over whether all individuals convicted of certain crimes should be eligible for the death penalty. Ethical considerations argue that some individuals, due to their age, mental capacity, or societal status, should be exempt. Juveniles and individuals with intellectual disabilities are often excluded based on Supreme Court rulings, such as Roper v. Simmons (2005) and Atkins v. Virginia (2002). Additionally, some argue that socio-economic status or political influence should not control eligibility, as justice should be impartial. Factors like mental health, remorse, and the circumstances of the crime are sometimes considered in determining suitability for capital punishment, although standards vary widely across jurisdictions (Bowers & Pierce, 2010).

Recent Supreme Court Cases and Future Predictions

Reviewing recent Supreme Court rulings reveals evolving perspectives on the constitutionality and application of the death penalty. Cases such as Glossip v. Gross (2015) upheld death-penalty procedures but highlighted the ethical issues surrounding lethal injection protocols. Meanwhile, in Kennedy v. Louisiana (2008), the Court ruled that the death penalty is unconstitutional for non-homicide crimes, indicating a move towards limiting capital punishment. Recent decisions suggest a cautious approach, with emphasis on procedural safeguards and restrictions on execution methods. Given these legal trends, the future of capital punishment in the U.S. appears to be more restrained, with increasing challenges in applying it broadly. Public opinion remains divided, but judicial and legislative actions seem to lean towards phasing out the death penalty, especially given concerns over wrongful convictions and the availability of life imprisonment as an alternative (Steiker & Steiker, 2016).

Conclusion

Overall, capital punishment involves complex ethical, legal, and financial considerations. While it is intended to serve justice and deterrence, its high costs, potential for wrongful executions, and evolving legal standards suggest a shifting landscape. Future trends indicate a likely move towards abolition or significant restriction, driven by judicial scrutiny and changing societal values. Nonetheless, debates over whether some crimes warrant the ultimate punishment continue to evoke passionate opinions, reflecting the ongoing struggle to balance justice, morality, and practicality in criminal sentencing.

References

• Baum, D. (2013). The cost of the death penalty. Death Penalty Information Center.
• Bowers, W. J., & Pierce, K. (2010). Capital punishment: The quest for justice. Law & Society Review, 44(1), 1-33.
• Gross, S. R., O'Brien, B., Hu, C., & Syed, S. (2014). Rate of false conviction of criminal defendants who are exonerated by DNA evidence. Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology, 104(3), 835-885.
• Nowak, J. T., & Heimer, C. A. (2003). The influence of capital punishment costs on death penalty statutes and enforcement. Justice Quarterly, 20(1), 107-128.
• Steiker, C. S., & Steiker, J. M. (2016). Death in the United States: An overview and forecast. Harvard Law Review, 129(2), 393-414.
• Innocence Project. (n.d.). DNA exonerees. Retrieved from https://www.innocenceproject.org/dna-exonerations/
• Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551 (2005).
• Atkins v. Virginia, 536 U.S. 304 (2002).
• Glossip v. Gross, 576 U.S. 863 (2015).
• Kennedy v. Louisiana, 554 U.S. 407 (2008).