Abolish Death Penalty (argumentative essay)

Thesis Statement: Although death penalty is a fair punishment, I am against it because it is another form of murder which is an inhumane act.

Outline

I. Introduction

                A. definition of death penalty

                B. background on death penalty

                C. anti-death penalty statement

II. Body

                A. pros of death penalty

                                1. eliminates criminals

                                2. scares criminals

                                3. lessens number of prisoners in jail

                                4. is a way of justice for the victim

                B. cons of death penalty

                                1. execution if innocent

                                2. no effect on suicidal criminals

                                3. cost of lethal injections

                                4. against morality

III. Conclusion

                A. summary

                B. recommendation, solution, and prediction

                                1. alternative way of punishment

                                2. way of lessening crimes

Abolish Death Penalty

            Although death penalty is a fair punishment, I am against it because it is another form of murder which is an inhumane act. Death penalty is capital punishment wherein a criminal proven guilty of a major crime is sentenced to death by the government. I am against the death penalty and can prove in my essay that abolishing it would be a better choice.

            Death penalty decreases crime for the reason that people fear nothing more than death (Van Den Haag, 1983). By executing criminals, the people are protected from future crimes. Although it is a logical reason, there is no credible evidence that the death penalty decreases crimes (ACLU, 2007). States that practice death penalty do not lower crime rates compared to states which have only life time imprisonment as the highest form of punishment. Both punishments show the same results as thoroughly researched by the social science research in America (ACLU, 2007).

            Crimes interfere with the peace and order of a society (Budziszewski, 2004). Appropriate punishment which is just and equitable can restore the peace and order. Making the criminal pay for the crime with an equivalent punishment is acceptable. But killing a person who killed another person is just making the violent act again in another form (Schroth, 2008).

            In terms of cost, death penalty costs more than life time imprisonment. A person sentenced to death pays more because of more trials, resulting to more fees. Capital punishment requires more trials because a life will be taken away (Dieter, 2007).

            The death penalty also risks an innocent life being sentenced to death. Some who agree with the death penalty says that everybody makes mistakes and the death penalty should not be abolished for that reason (Stewart, 2008). Since life is the greatest thing that can be taken away from a person, one innocent life must not suffer death in place of the true criminal. When life is at hand, risking it is not an option (Feingold, 2000).

            Lastly, death penalty is morally accepted because it is a way of justice for the victims. The society would gain back its peace and order when the criminals are never to be seen in this earth again (Fein, 2008). On the contrary, killing is a sin; there is no doubt about it. Humans become inhumane and immoral when they take away another human life. Death penalty is immoral also for the fact that it is not fair for everybody. Criminals who are rich can buy their way out of their punishment (Stevenson, 2004).

            The death penalty should be abolished and should never be an option of punishment. Life time imprisonment without patrol can be equivalent and satisfying way of punishment for the criminals. In conclusion, life time imprisonment should be the highest form of punishment instead of death.

Reference

ACLU. (Apr. 9, 2007). The death penalty: Questions and answers. ACLU.org. Retrieved March 16, 2012, from http://deathpenalty.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=002000.

Budziszewski, J. (2004). Capital punishment: The case for justice. OrthodoxyToday.org.    Retrieved March 16, 2012, from http://deathpenalty.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=002000.

Dieter, R. (Feb. 7, 2007). Testimony to the judiciary committee of the Colorado State House of    Representatives. House Bill 1094: Costs of the Death Penalty and Related Issues. Retrieved March 16, 2012, from http://deathpenalty.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=002000.

Fein, B. (June 17, 2008). Individual rights and responsibility: The death penalty, but sparingly.      ABA.org. Retrieved March 16, 2012, from http://deathpenalty.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=002000.

Feingold, R. (April 26, 2000). National Death Penalty Moratorium Act of 2000. Retrieved March 16, 2012, from http://deathpenalty.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=002000.

Schroth, R. (Sept. 5, 2008). ProCon.org. Retrieved March 16, 2012, from http://deathpenalty.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=002000.

Stevenson, B. (2004). Close to death: Reflections on race and capital punishment in America.      Debating the Death Penalty: Should America Have Capital Punishment? The Experts on  Both Sides Make Their Best Case. Retrieved March 16, 2012, from http://deathpenalty.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=002000.

Stewart, S. (Aug. 6, 2008). Message on the Clark County Prosecutor. Retrieved March 16, 2012,  from http://deathpenalty.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=002000.

Van Den Haag, E. (Oct. 17, 1983). For the Death Penalty. New York Times. Retrieved March 16,  2012, from http://deathpenalty.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=002000.