How to Choose a Position on Death Penalty Issues

Death penalty issues are complicated by a combination of crime statistics and moral opinions. Some say the death penalty prevents crime, others disagree. Some debate a person who's committed "certain" crimes deserves the death penalty, while others believe no one deserves it, no matter what the crime. Choosing a position on other key issues below is vital in determining where you stand on the death penalty as a whole.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Decide whether it is morally acceptable to sentence people to death. If you believe it is not under any circumstances acceptable, choosing a position on other issues involving the death penalty may be easy. However, if you believe the death penalty is acceptable, you must consider several more issues.

2. Determine whether the death penalty deters future crime better than life imprisonment. Some believe knowing the death penalty is an option stops people from committing crimes. Others believe it is no more effective than life-imprisonment.

3. Choose whether redemption for the victim's family adds any merit to the death penalty. Death penalty supporters believe administering the death penalty eases the pain of a victim's family and makes it more acceptable. While this may be true, those opposed still feel the death penalty is wrong.

4. Contemplate what crimes the death penalty should be used for. Consider whether it is right to execute someone for murder, rape and attempted murder, and the mental capacity of the convicted person. Decide if mental disability or age will make any difference on whether the death penalty should be enforced.

5. Consider the likeliness someone wrongfully convicted will face the death penalty and what effect this might have on the merits of the punishment as a whole.

6. Read "Debating the Death Penalty" for an overview of expert opinions on both sides of the debate. The book includes eight essays with four in favor and four against the death penalty.