Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, is a controversial practice used for crimes such as murder, treason, and apostasy. Supporters argue it deters crime and removes criminals from society, while opponents argue it is an extreme punishment that may not always be fair. Excessive use of the death penalty can violate human rights. Jury members in countries with jury trials can be Death Qualified (DQ), consisting only of those comfortable with a capital sentence. Activists work to prevent human rights violations related to the death penalty.
When a defendant is convicted of a crime and sentenced to death, it is referred to as capital punishment. This type of sentence is also popularly known as the “death penalty” in many countries. There is a major global controversy surrounding the death penalty, which has a number of staunch opponents and defenders.
When someone commits a crime punishable by death, the crime itself is also said to be capital. Typically, capital crimes are described closely in a nation’s legal codes. Murder is a common example of a capital crime, but courts can also hand down the death sentence for extremely violent crimes, sex crimes, treason, and even apostasy. The abuse of the death penalty in extremely conservative nations is a concern for some people, as some activists believe that the death penalty is an extremely harsh punishment for crimes such as adultery.
If someone is on trial for a capital crime in a country that allows jury trial, the jury can be Death Qualified (DQ). A DQ jury consists only of individuals who would be comfortable with a capital sentence following a conviction. Jurors who express discomfort with the death penalty may still be allowed to serve on the jury, but people who adamantly oppose it will be stricken. This is due to concern that the juror’s personal ethics may play a role in his decision as to the defendant’s guilt.
Proponents of the death sentence argue that the practice deters crime by setting a clear example to the rest of society. It also, in theory, permanently removes criminals from society, reducing the risk of recidivism. When done quickly and humanely, it also represents a smaller expense to the state than keeping someone in prison for life.
Opponents, however, argue that death is a very extreme punishment and should be used in very rare cases, if at all. People who don’t support the death penalty have argued that the legal system may not always be fair, especially to minorities, and are concerned about wrongful convictions. In the United States, many people say it constitutes a “cruel and unusual punishment,” which is prohibited by the United States Constitution.
Supporters and opponents agree that excessive capital punishment can constitute a violation of human rights. The use of the death penalty for a non-violent crime, for example, is generally considered excessive. In a clear miscarriage of justice, the ruling is also generally considered a violation of human rights. All over the world, activists work to prevent human rights violations of this kind, in the hope of making the world a better place for everyone.
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