Assignment:
According to the US Supreme Court and the US Constitution, capital punishment is acceptable when the severity of the sentence has been deemed to be appropriate to the severity of the crime. Some people believe the death penalty is a just form of capital punishment for the crime of first degree murder. Currently, 31 states permit capital punishment.
On the other hand, some people believe the death penalty is unjust because it violates the Eighth Amendment of the US Constitution, which forbids "cruel and unusual punishment."
Watch the following videos regarding the death penalty debate:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XltuOU1A8Sk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceVYO03zcZU
Write a letter to your state legislator in which you explain whether or not you believe the death penalty is a just form of capital punishment to be permitted in your state. You will need to use 3 reliable sources to support your viewpoint (wikipedia is not a reliable source and the videos above cannot be included as your source). These sources will need to listed in APA format.
You will need to include the following in your letter:
• The case for the death penalty (use the sources to prove that the death penalty is a valid form of criminal punishment) OR The case against the death penalty (use the sources to prove that the death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment). Use examples of death penalty cases to support your viewpoint.
• If your letter supports the death penalty, explain what types of charges it should be used for and what method should be used (i.e. lethal injection, electric chair, etc). If you do not support the death penalty, explain what other alternatives can be used if the death penalty was abolished.
Incorporate at least 3 of the concepts below when writing your letter:
• Deterrence
• Retribution
• Victim's rights
• cost
• 8th Amendment - Cruel and unusual punishment
• public opinion
• Innocence - Exoneration/moratorium
• Time - length of incarceration + appeal issues
• Justness/Fairness - discrimination and disparities
• Aggravating and mitigating circumstances
• International comparisons
Remember:
You will need to use at least 3 reliable sources.
Ensure that you list these sources in APA format.
The letter should be at least 2 pages in length!!!!!