Racial Bias In The Death Penalty Research Paper

Words: 1514
Pages: 7
Open Document
The death penalty has existed in the United States since colonial times. Its history is intertwined with slavery, segregation, and social reform movements. The death penalty is discriminatory and is often used against the poor, people of color, and people with mental disabilities. (Death Penalty Information Center, January 23rd, 2023) Despite its long history and widespread use, the death penalty remains a controversial and decisive issue. Many people argue that it is a violation of human rights and an outdated form of punishment [leading people to question its fairness].

Furthermore, there are many factors that prove that the death penalty is wrong, and one of them is racial bias. This racial bias in the death penalty is not limited to the …show more content…
Racial bias in the death penalty is deeply rooted in systemic racism and historical injustices. For centuries, people of color have been disproportionately targeted and oppressed by the criminal justice system. This bias is a reflection of the broader societal inequalities and prejudices that persist to this day (Death Penalty Information Center, January 23, 2023). Moreover, the racial bias in the death penalty has devastating consequences for communities of color. It perpetuates a cycle of distrust and fear, as individuals from marginalized backgrounds are more likely to view the criminal justice system as inherently biased against them. This erodes public confidence in the system and undermines its legitimacy. Racial bias in the death penalty also highlights the need for comprehensive criminal justice reform. It is imperative that we address the underlying factors that contribute to this bias, such as racial profiling, inadequate legal representation, and discriminatory sentencing practices. Efforts should be made to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their race or ethnicity, receive fair and equal treatment under the law. In …show more content…
According to Amnesty International, these cases often require highly skilled and experienced attorneys, both for the prosecution and the defense. The cost of hiring such legal professionals, along with the expenses associated with investigating the crime, gathering evidence, and conducting expert testimonies, can quickly add up. Furthermore, death penalty cases typically involve a lengthy pre-trial phase. This phase includes jury selection, motions, and other legal procedures that can prolong the trial process. The longer a case takes, the more expensive it becomes, as it requires more court time, additional resources, and increased security measures. Appeals also play a significant role in the high cost of death penalty cases. Due to the irreversible nature of the punishment, there are multiple levels of appeals available to ensure that no innocent person is wrongfully executed. These appeals can span several years and involve extensive legal work, including reviewing trial records, conducting new investigations, and presenting arguments to higher courts. Each appeal adds to the overall cost of the case. Moreover, the heightened security measures required for death row inmates contribute to the increased
Show More

Related Documents: Racial Bias In The Death Penalty Research Paper

AJS 552 Week4 Essays

Current Event – Role of Special Interest Groups Paper AJS 552 Week 4 The Death Penalty - Public Safety vs. Individual Rights Introduction This paper will focus on the criminal justice system, public safety and civil rights in specific relation to the death penalty as a form of punishment and its effects on society. The execution of criminals and the effects on society are most intriguing and can be debated upon both for and against the issue give a thorough elaboration on criminal…

Words 1054 - Pages 5

Literatuire review Essay

differential treatment in the judicial system causing severe sentencing disparities. Racial Disparity in Sentencing In the study Patterns of Death: An Analysis of Racial Disparities in Capital Sentencing and Homicide victimization, the authors Samuel Gross and Robert Mauro examine the effect race plays in Capital Sentencing. This study observes 8 states sentencing of capital punishment under the post-Furman death penalty laws. The 8 states used in the study were Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois,…

Words 4273 - Pages 18

Research Paper Death Penalty

Amanda Armas Research Paper English 114 April 28, 2013 Which side will you choose? Today in America and around the world Capital Punishment, also known as the death penalty is a prominent issue being talked about. The death penalty has continued to be a controversial issue within the United States. The death penalty is the killing of a person as a legal punishment for the commitment of what are known as capital crimes. Whether it is being talked about or not, it is an issue that is impacting…

Words 1901 - Pages 8

Essay on Capital Punishment and Death Penalty Sentence

Death Penalty: Right or Wrong? Kimberley Houk COM 156 October 26,2014 Gina Greco Death Penalty: Right or Wrong? One main question regarding whether the United States should apply the death penalty as a form of punishment is a heated debate in American politics. The topic is so divisive because it deals with death, which is permanent. Life is valued in every society, and when life is taken away, emotions rise. Most human beings maintain a strong underlying fear of death, so they want…

Words 4332 - Pages 18

Death Penalty Essay

Research Paper The death penalty has been around for thousands of years, dating as far back to the eighteenth century B.C. in Babylon, seventh century B.C. in Athens, and in the fifth century B.C. in Rome. Since then, the death penalty has found its way to many cultures around the world. The British first influenced the death penalty in America when British colonists began to explore the Americas. When the colonists came to America, they brought the practice of capital punishment with them…

Words 3094 - Pages 13

Essay about The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison

5. Finally, it is my belief that the economic powers that be in America have sufficient power to end or drastically reduce racist bias in the criminal justice system. To the extent that they allow it to exist, it is not unreasonable to assume that it furthers their economic interests. For all these reasons, racism will be treated here as either a form of economic bias or a tool that achieves the same end. In the remainder of this [selection], I show how the criminal justice system functions to weed…

Words 12487 - Pages 50

Sociological View on Deviance and Drug Use Essay

Introduction What can a sociologist tell us about deviance, and drug use that we do not already know? If there is anything distinctive about the sociologist view, it is their emphasis on social context. One of the central ideas of all human experience is meaning. Meaning is something imposed and socially made-up, and has two features: it is both external and internal. Meaning is assigned externally to objects and behavior by social cooperation. But it is also assigned by the individual…

Words 8807 - Pages 36

Critical Thinking, Reading, And Writing

Long1 McGraw­Hill Chapter 1 Critical thinking, reading, and writing ● Most college work still requires an ability to understand and reflect intelligently on written texts, and subsequently, to respond in writing to them. ­Preponderance: the quality or fact of being greater in number, quantity, or importance. ­Learning the tools of critical reading and writing not only teaches you the “what” of an issue, but also helps you think about and respond intelligently to the relative strength of the…

Words 8037 - Pages 33