Overview
Capital punishment, otherwise known as the death penalty, has a long history. Today, however, the United States is alone among Western democracies in its continued use of the death penalty. Although many Americans support the use of the death penalty, questions remain about whether the death penalty actually deters crime, or if the imposition of the penalty shows a pattern of discriminating against the poor or minorities. Should the process from courtroom to execution be streamlined, or should additional safeguards be introduced that may cause the court process to take many years? Fully updated with new statistics, legal opinions, and legislation, Capital Punishment, Second Edition, explores the many arguments-ethical, practical, and sociological-for and against the death penalty.