Do you support the death penalty?

8th Amendment I have the right not to… be forced to pay excessive bail Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment be inflicted. I have the right not to… be forced to pay excessive bail pay excessive fines be punished cruelly/unusually EVOLVING STANDARD*** No unnecessary infliction of pain Punishment should fit the crime Website.

Colonial Punishments Branding Pierce tongue with hot iron Cut off ears Whippings Stocks (public display) people throw stuff at offender Wear letter “A” or sign

A Moratorium was established… Furman v. Georgia (1972): The Court ruled the death penalty unconstitutional under existing state law because it was imposed arbitrarily. Gregg v. Georgia (1976): In this case, the death penalty was constitutional because it was imposed based on the circumstances of the case.

Other Key Cases… Edmund v. Florida (1982): The death penalty cannot be imposed on a defendant that did not kill, intend to kill, or know that a killing would take place. A person can however receive the death penalty if they were a major participant in a felony resulting in death. Ford v. Wainwright (1986): A person who is mentally incompetent or insane at the time of his execution cannot be put to death because such an execution would violate the Eighth Amendment. Atkins v. Virginia (2002): Ended the execution of mentally retarded defendants. Roper v. Simmons (2005): Ended juvenile death sentences.

Death Penalty since 1976 3 People killed by Federal Government Timothy McVeigh is most recent 1,026 people executed by State Governments (38 of 50 have D.P.) 376 by Texas, 97 by Virginia, 22 by Arizona (13th Place) Over 600,000 Americans have been murdered in same time period Over 3,300 Americans on Death Row Today

Modern Death Penalty Enforcement Lethal Injection Gas Chamber Electrocution Hanging Firing Squad

Arguments For: 1. Retribution(payback) 2. Deterrence- prevents people from committing murder. http://www.azcorrections.gov/inmate_datasearch/newDeathRow.aspx

Arguments Against Cruel? Fair? What if they’re innocent? 130 found innocent