Evolution of Capital Punishment - 1142 Words

Evolution of Capital Punishment Ever since there has been crime, there has been punishment. One form of punishment that has existed since the beginning of society is capital punishment. As crime and societies have evolved over time, so have capital punishment, its forms, and its reasons for use. Capital punishment is defined as the execution or death for a capital offense. (Hill Hill 1995: 75) A capital offense is defined as being any criminal charge that is punishable by the death penalty. (Hill Hill 1995: 75) A capital offense usually means that no bail will be allowed. Capital punishment has existed since the earliest civilizations such as the ancient Greeks, Romans, and even the English have existed. Death sentences were not†¦show more content†¦(Herda 1994: 18) Even though the deservedness of the capital punishment is stricter and more difficult to achieve today and the ways in which a person is put to death is more humane, the groups that are most active against the death penalty have not backed down. Political, civil rights, and biblical groups have all come together. The political groups are fueled with the interpretations of the 8th and 14th amendments and that it is just simply goes against the constitution because of the cruel and unusual punishment that capital punishment seems to bring upon these victims. Civil rights groups on the other hand are opposed to capital punishment because of the seemingly overwhelming disproportionate amount of minorities receiving the death penalty compared to the amount of whites. Last but not least are the religious groups. I find it ironic how in the beginning of American society there were so many instances of putting people to death due to crime while claiming to follow the good book and how now th e good book says it is against the word of God to utilize capital punishment methods. Thou shall not kill, says the Bible. The Bible also says however, whoso sheddeth man s blood, by man shall his blood be shed. (Berns 1979: 13) This is not to say that God gave us the power or even the authority to kill, but it is awfullyShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Evolution of Capital Punishment1155 Words   |  5 PagesThe Evolution of Capital Punishment Ever since there has been crime, there has been punishment. One form of punishment that has existed since the beginning of society is capital punishment. As crime and societies have evolved over time, so have capital punishment, its forms, and its reasons for use. Capital punishment is defined as the execution or death for a capital offense. (Hill Hill 1995: 75) A capital offense is defined as being any criminal charge that is punishable by the death penaltyRead MoreThe Evolution Of Punishment And Its Effect On Society949 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction The evolution of punishment has come a long way in Canada from Confederation in the 1800’s to present day 21st century. Research has been going on continuously to identify whether these punishments are based on a person’s behaviour or on society itself. The word punishment is referred to as a penalty inflicted on an offender through judicial procedure (Punishment | Definition of Punishment by Merriam-Webster). In today’s society does the punishment equivalent to the crime committedRead MoreThe Death Penalty Throughout History1074 Words   |  5 Pagesthroughout history. It begins with a brief explanation of the origins of capital punishment, referencing the first known documentation of actions punishable by death. 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The deathRead More1.I Believe It Is Time To Add Items To The Constitution943 Words   |  4 Pagespower they are vested in from the constitution itself. 5. I do not believe that capital punishment is cruel and unusual in modern time. This is rare that someone will get the capital punishment however. Yet, it the idea holds that someone who commits crime far beyond what the law has consequences for. In which, there is no crime under such act, capital punishment comes into play. In addition, at times capital punishment is for those who are an extreme danger within society, typically those with serious