Capital Punishment A Deterrent Effect - 971 Words

Recent research studies argues that the death penalty has significant deterrent effects, supporting the use of capital punishment. In particular, American constitutional legal scholars Cass R Sunstein and Adrien Vermeule presented their 2005 study, â€Å"Is Capital Punishment Morally Required? The Relevance of Life-Life Tradeoffs,† which supports the notion of capital punishment as a deterrent. Sunstein and Vermeule’s study specifically presents the argument of the morality behind the death penalty’s significant deterrent effect, in light of recent research studies that they found to support capital punishment as a deterrent. In support of capital punishment being a deterrent, Sunstein and Vermeule cite Hashem Dezhbaksh 2003 study, â€Å"Does Capital Punishment Have a Deterrent Effect? â€Å", which used data from 3,054 U.S. counties between 1977 and 1996, finding that the murder rate decreased significantly due to death sentences and executions (Sunstein an d Vermeule 9). This can be justified as deterring crimes because she found the correlation between the murder rate decreasing and death sentences and executions increasing. However, she does not acknowledge that other factors can influence this type of correlation. Despite this, in that same study, it was found that on average, for each execution performed there were 18 fewer murders (Sunstein and Vermeule 9). This evidence is compelling because it notes that each execution brought on less capital offenses. It would seem as if theShow MoreRelatedCapital Punishment : A Deterrent Effect On Crime Essay2996 Words   |  12 Pages Does the Death Penalty Have Any Deterrent Effect on Crime Name Institution Abstract The question of the death penalty has been subject to heated debate on if it serves in deterring criminal activities. Through exploration into findings of several studies, it would be possible to validate whether capital punishment has a deterrent effect on crimes. Various studies are explored with the objective of understanding which side of the debate is stronger. The findings of this studyRead MoreCapital Punishment : A Deterrent Effect On Crime Essay2970 Words   |  12 PagesWhether the Death Penalty Has Any Real Deterrent Effect on Crime Name Institution Abstract The question of capital punishment has been stirring heated debate in regards to whether it indeed does or doesn’t deter criminal activities. By exploring findings from various studies, this paper aims at validating whether death penalty has a deterrent effect on crimes. Various studies are explored with the objective of understanding which side of the debate is stronger. The findings of thisRead MoreArguing Against Capital Punishment1591 Words   |  7 Pagesdebate over capital punishment, the opponents argue that capital punishment should not be practiced because it has a civilizing effect and practicing capital punishment has do deterrent effect. On the other side of the debate, the supporters argue that capital punishment should not be abolished because it is just retribution and has a deterrent effect. In this paper, I will argue that capital punishment should not be practiced. In the article titled, â€Å"The Folly of Capital Punishment,† Jeffrey ReimanRead MoreCapital Punishment And Its Effect On Society1425 Words   |  6 PagesCapital Punishment has been a topic of debate since it was reinstated in 1976. Some say that in a free society, capital punishment is an unnecessary form of cruel and unusual punishment in violation of our constitution. Others claim that capital punishment serves the primary purpose of deterring crime and punishing society’s most homicidal offenders. The biggest question when it comes to capital punishment is, is it worth it? Does Capital punishment have a deterrent effect on society? 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In the U.S, Capital Punishment has been legalized in 32 states since 1996. Capital Punishment is not as inhumane as it sounds; it is limited under the 8th amendment in the U.S. Contrary to most beliefs, Capital Punishment is not used on every case of rapistsRead MoreCapital Punishment Of The Criminal Justice System1407 Words   |  6 PagesIn the United States, capital punishment has always been the spotlight of many debates concerning the consequences of severe crimes. Although capital punishment is deemed to be acceptable for violent crimes such as murder, there are numerous individuals who oppose the usage of capital punishment against violent offenders. Both proponents and opponents have given countless opinions concerning the deterrence effect of capital punishment. Research studies have also added fuel to the debate in regardsRead MoreCapital Punishment Results in a Better Society Essay795 Words   |  4 PagesCapital Punishment Results in a Better Society When it comes to capital punishment most people think of the death penalty. I dont think people realize how many papers, books, and controversies there is over this topic. One of the many questions that arise when people think about capital punishment is how it affects crime, and more importantly, if we use the death penalty more effectively, it not only becomes a deterrent to crime, but also brings about a better society. When we use theRead More Capital Punishment Essay: Its Fair and Effective964 Words   |  4 PagesCapital Punishment - Its Fair and Effective   Ã‚  Ã‚   Confronting head-on two of the most prominent objections to the death penalty is the object of this paper: Is the death penalty a miscarriage of justice? And Does it Deter Crime?    Its a miscarraige of justice. In a survey Professors Hugo Adam Bedau and Michael Radelet found that 7000 persons were executed in the United States between 1900 and 1985 and that 35 were innocent of capital crimes (1). Among the innocents they list Sacco andRead MoreThe Death Penalty Essay examples859 Words   |  4 PagesPenalty in America†, capital punishment is the lawful infliction of the death penalty. The death penalty has been used since ancient times for a variety of offenses. The Bible says that death should be done to anyone who commits murder, larceny, rapes, and burglary. It appears that public debate on the death penalty has changed over the years and is still changing, but there are still some out there who are for the death penalty and will continue to believe that it’s a good punishment. I always hear a