Crime And Capital Punishment Essay, Research Paper

When turning on the television, radio, or simply reading the local newspaper,

one is overwhelmed with news of arrests, murders, homicides, serial killers, and

other serious crimes. It is rare not to go through a day in this world

and not hear of these things. Still, some government officials in our country seem a bit uncertain about what steps to take in order to minimize the actions of serious or potential offenders. Not only is it committing a crime, but also today, it is ending ones life, either physically or in a prison cell. This is a risk one is taking when he decides to stab someone with a knife or pull a trigger, but is it really up to our justice system to decide one’s fate?

There are many issues that address this question of capital punishment such as

religion, the effect on society, restitution being denied, the possible “wrongly

accused”, and the rights of the convicted. But how often do these concepts creep

into the publics mind when it hears of our ?fair and trusty? government taking

away someone’s breathing rights? The bible states, “Thou shall not kill,” and this being a sin should have to be corrected within oneself. On the other hand, it also states, “Don’t judge others personal convictions.” It is a government’s responsibility to punish people that disobey the law to keep the world in order, but is it their right to take their lives away? It is a Christian’s responsibility to point out to those who

sin that they do so and this country, trusting in God as it says it does, should

do just that.

Some people think that restitution is granted when one is sentenced to the death penalty. However, if a loved one is murdered and his family feels justice in

having the murderer go through the same, is it not considered equally wrong?

Forgiving and forgetting are entirely out of the question, but one should

consider the concept of regret and remorse. Just as one feels terrible when wrongfully drives through their neighbors yard, surely a murderer may feel the same. One is only human and no one can expect any more. A mistake is a mistake, no matter whom it may harm or what destruction it may cause.

There’s always the chance of the innocent being in the wrong place at the wrong

time. A handful of evidence from a strong lawyer could sentence someone to life

in prison, and even the death penalty. One could be spending and ending his life

in captivity for simply walking down the wrong street on the wrong day. Should

he have to serve the time that’s not rightfully his and take the needle that

shouldn’t prick his skin? It’s a small fault in the justice system that is not

easy to overcome, but that’s someone’s life, and not knowing the truth could be

devastating. Abraham Lincoln declared, “All men are created equal.” This statement of truth has obviously been left out of consideration in the court room. Everyone deserves a second chance because they are all capable of reformation. The offender should have the chance to go back into the world and prove himself honorable.

If solving corruption with immorality is the world’s remedy for reconciliation,

then why not chop off the thief’s hand? “An eye for an eye” was the justice of

the past. It is now a modern world based on logic and transformation. Should a government commit a crime to justify another? If capital punishment was solely based on punishing the wrongdoers, there would be no one left to inject the needle or

pull the lever on.