Does anyone have the right to end someone's life? Does the death penalty deter violent crime? If the death penalty were to become illegal, what punishment would be appropriate for criminals who committed crimes against humanity? The death penalty has always been a controversial subject. Many questions have always been raised around this issue and, as it clearly has both positive and negative effects, the gap between supporters and opposition has been difficult to narrow. Currently in the United States, the death penalty is legal in 33 states, which means more people believe the death penalty is necessary in our society. The death penalty should be legal across the country, and I believe this for many reasons, including deterrence, punishment, and morality. Death is what people fear the most. If people knew that their actions could result in death, they would be less likely to commit such acts. It is for this reason that the use of the death penalty deters citizens from committing crimes. Dr. Haag, a professor at Fordham University, said that "capital punishment is likely to be more of a deterrent than other punishments because people fear death more than anything else." Therefore, the threat of the death penalty may deter some murderers who might not otherwise have been deterred. " According to Dr. Haag, it has been proven in numerous studies that capital punishment is society's strongest deterrent against murder, stating that "since society has the greatest interest in preventing murder, it should use the harshest punishment available to deter murder.” According to Ehrlich's 1973 study, and one of the studies cited by Dr. Haag, executing a criminal saves up to seven potential victims. This is because the perpetrators...... middle of paper ...... receive the death penalty. Dr Haag said: “Sanctions are imposed on individuals, not economic groups. Guilt is personal. No matter a person's race or economic status, if they are guilty, they should receive the appropriate punishment, which in some cases can be the death penalty. Capital punishment can be a difficult subject to discuss because people tend to have extreme opinions. above. The death penalty deters potential criminals, but it also serves to punish them, and is in no way immoral. Arguments against the death penalty often do not hold up when examined more closely. The death penalty can be an extremely useful tool for convicting criminals who have committed some of the worst crimes known to society. It is imperative that we begin passing legislation legalizing the death penalty across the United States so that justice can be properly served...