Critics of the death penalty claim that the death penalty violates the Eight Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Moreover, these failed executions have put the U.S. back in the spotlight for being one of the only civilized nations that uses the death penalty as a form of punishment.

DQ1 In the interest of conducting a lively, engaging Discussion, please keep the following in mind:

Opposing viewpoints are key to any vibrant discussion, but remember to use internet etiquette and be respectful of your classmates’ views and opinions. Provide constructive feedback or ask clarifying questions if you do not understand a classmate’s comment. Most importantly, have fun interacting with the unit content, your classmates, and your instructor!

For Discussion requirements, refer to your course Syllabus or to the Discussion Rubric, posted in Course Documents.

Taking Sides: The Death Penalty

In 2014, two “botched” executions stole the headlines. In Arizona, it took the inmate nearly 2 hours to die. In Oklahoma, the lethal cocktail did not seem to fully work because the inmate’s vein blew. Read the following articles regarding these incidences.

Source: Lethal drugs injected 15 times in botched Arizona execution. Retrieved from http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/lethal-drugs-injected-15-times-botched-arizona-execution.

Source: Oklahoma’s botched lethal injection marks new front in battle over executions. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/30/us/oklahoma-botched-execution/.

Critics of the death penalty claim that the death penalty violates the Eight Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Moreover, these failed executions have put the U.S. back in the spotlight for being one of the only civilized nations that uses the death penalty as a form of punishment. In 2014, China led the world in executions (thousands). Iran came in second, with at least 369 put to death by the state, followed by Iraq (169), Saudi Arabia (79), and the United States (39).

In this exercise, you will explore the controversial topic of the death penalty. Please share your thoughts on the use capital punishment and be sure to support your position with law. If you are in favor of the death penalty, be sure to comment upon whether it should be used for crimes other than first-degree murder. If you are against the death penalty, consider whether cost should be a factor to consider.

Take some time to read and respond to your classmates’ postings.

DQ2 In the interest of conducting a lively, engaging Discussion, please keep the following in mind:

Opposing viewpoints are key to any vibrant discussion, but remember to use internet etiquette and be respectful of your classmates’ views and opinions. Provide constructive feedback or ask clarifying questions if you do not understand a classmate’s comment. Most importantly, have fun interacting with the unit content, your classmates, and your instructor!

For Discussion requirements, refer to your course Syllabus or to the Discussion Rubric, posted in Course Documents.

Criminal Law In The News: Op-Ed

Research current events related to the course topics covered in Unit 9 and post at least one of these events to the Discussion. Please concentrate on the way that technology intersects with criminal procedure, such as with the use of drones, thermal imaging, or the use of GPS tracking devices. Within your posting, describe how your chosen item ties in to a review of the material in this unit. You may use the Library or any other outside resource for your research. Be sure to use proper citation format. Review your fellow students’ postings and respond to at least one event posting throughout the week.