Is capital punishment still a relevant form of punishment in today's Essay

Is capital punishment still a relevant form of punishment in today's society - Essay Example By contrast, the abolitionists see the impact of executions as a statement of pervasive importance about the relationship between the government and the individual. (James, 33-40) Abolitionists in the United States view capital punishment as a fundamental political issue; proponents usually assert that the question is neither fundamental nor political. As far as the question of relevance of capital punishment still as a form of punishment in today's society is concerned, it is simply refutable. Though there are many people who support capital punishment, yet they are few and they have not strong justifications to present in its favor. On the other hand, the civilized world has a firm stand and argumentative rebuttal of capital punishment in the contemporary era. While this is just one way in which the disputants talk past each other in the capital punishment debate, this particular disagreement helps to explain other aspects of the capital punishment dispute. ... National government and constitutional values have little direct influence on most punishment decisions. If the availability of death as a criminal punishment were a garden-variety choice of punishment option, state and local power over them would be consistent with an important American tradition. If, on the other hand, one regards capital punishment as a fundamental moral and political question, the national government and constitutional values are the appropriate vehicles for decisions. (Jan, 110-12) The Flaws in Implementation of Capital Punishment The proper way of characterizing the capital punishment may be an important question but it is not a difficult one. Our history, the recent history of other developed nations, and even the importance that the proponents of the penalty attach to it are powerful evidence that the capital punishment is an issue of transcendent importance, one that is principally moral and political. (Zimring, 78-82) There are certain reservations from some corners of public discussions as regards to the unreliable evidences that caused capital punishment but consequently proved false. It is hard to believe how prosecutors can admit evidence from unreliable sources. In some cases witnesses have later recanted or disavowed their testimonies claiming that they had only made their statements under pressure or coercion from prosecution and law enforcement. These false testimonies proved to be the condemning evidence in many cases. Lastly, most of the people charged in capital cases cannot afford defense attorneys. The appointed defense counsels in several cases have exhibited incompetence. Some of them did not even look for or missed important evidence that proved the innocence of their clients.