Essays on Baldus

The death penalty in the United States is absolutely a complicated idea – the notion of sending someone to death for their crimes is considered, by many, to be an outdated notion that was thrown out along with the stockade. At the same time, there is still a great deal of public support for the policy as a means of deterring crime. When contemplating the prison costs and the problems present in the criminal justice system, it becomes a bit more obvious that the death penalty is not a economic or even moral idea. Because of the divided amount of support for the death penalty, ...

The death penalty in Texas has long been a controversial issue – the idea of putting someone to death for their crimes is thought, by some, to be an antiquated idea that went out with the stocks. However, there is still significant public support for the measure as a deterrent. When considering the prison costs and the flaws inherent in the justice system, it becomes somewhat clearer that the death penalty is not a cost-effective or ethical measure. Given the non-unanimous level of support for the death penalty, as well as the possibility of executing innocent citizens who have been wrongfully convicted, the ...

Introduction

Death penalty which had been abolished in 1970s was quickly restored during 1970s itself. There have been charges of racial discrimination in the application of death penalty both before and after abolition and restoration of death penalty. Research on the subject suggests a pattern of racial discrimination. Since 1976, percentage of blacks executed has been 35 while, the blacks form just 12 % of the total population. Research indicates that blacks are four times more likely to receive death penalty than if the defendant is white. In 2000, percentage of blacks on death row statewide were 46 % in Alabama, 36 % California, ...

Introduction

Asked to stereotype a criminal, many people are likely to go for a certain gender (usually male), a certain social class (usually low class), a certain race (usually black) and a certain age (usually under the age of 30). In the early days, courtrooms exclusively comprised of white decision makers. Today there is more racial diversity in the composition of judicial benches. In spite of this progress; race, class and gender still play a critical role in numerous criminal justice outcomes. The role of these issues usually comes in handy in the sentencing of convicts. More than 40 studies have been conducted in regard to ...

Abstract

Capital punishment or death penalty is one of the most controversial and notorious form of correction. It has been practiced throughout history but currently, only 38 states practice it. In most of the places where it is being practiced, a lot of precaution is used. Research has shown that there is a relation between race and capital punishment. This practice has been ostensibly stated as a remnant of the past. Apparently, the minority communities have a higher chance of being slapped with a death sentence.

Introduction

This is one of the most extensively discussed and researched topics. A death penalty also known as capital punishment ...

The death penalty in the United States has long been a controversial issue – the idea of putting someone to death for their crimes is thought, by some, to be an antiquated idea that went out with the stocks. However, there is still significant public support for the measure as a deterrent. When considering the prison costs and the flaws inherent in the justice system, it becomes somewhat clearer that the death penalty is not a cost-effective or ethical measure. Given the non-unanimous level of support for the death penalty, as well as the possibility of executing innocent citizens who have been wrongfully ...