Persuasive Essay

Why Capital Punishment Should Remain in Effect
Stefanie Ridgway
DeVry University, ENGL 112
Professor Adams
April 19, 2010

Capital punishment, otherwise known as the death penalty, has been effective tool in our country’s justice system since its inception. When an inmate is given this, the harshest sentence available, it is always with just cause. Capital Punishment is an important tool in our criminal justice system today and there are several reasons it should remain in effect. Although capital punishment opponents would argue otherwise, there is undeniable proof that capital punishment is in fact a deterrent to committing crimes with that would warrant this sentence. One of the most basic instincts …show more content…

If the case holds up during Direct Review, the next process is State Collateral Review. During this part of the process attorneys for the defendant and the state can raise any new claims not previously addressed regarding trail errors or legal due process. Once the governing state issues a ruling, there is typically one more appeal available in the case. Federal Habeas Corpus is the final process in paving the way for the execution to commence. This process is more of a lawsuit in which the defendant’s attorney’s can challenge the legality of the actual process of capital punishment itself, rather than an appeal. During Federal Habeas Corpus a lawsuit is filed with the Supreme Court, and depending on the merits of the case the Supreme Court Justices may choose to hear or deny the request. If this request is denied this paves the way for an execution date and barring any last minute clemency from the state’s governor the execution will commence. In all the time from sentence to execution can be lengthy averaging eleven and half years. This may seem like a long time however, it is just one more reason the system works as it gives each case enough time to be heard and reheard. Although opponents disagree, the current execution process is more than humane, especially when compared to the violent acts that require such a harsh sentence. The most recent, and currently the most common way to execute an inmate is with a large single