QUESTION/TOPIC: Prosecuting Death
Background Information:
Jurors make the final decision on whether a person is executed Hurst v. Florida 136 S. Ct. 616 (2016). Prosecutors make the initial decision to charge a person with a capital crime. This power makes prosecutors crucial actors in death penalty decisions. The role they have played has historically been played with gusto. “Cowboy” Bob Macy, a district attorney in Oklahoma, for example, kept baseball cards of the fifty-four inmates for whom he personally obtained death sentences. More recently, prosecutors have played an important role in America’s reconsideration of capital punishment—particularly in places where the practice has long been an accepted part of criminal justice.
In the last five decades, more executions have taken place in Virginia than in any other state except for Texas and Oklahoma. Moreover, Virginia continued executions even after twenty-one current and former Virginia prosecutors signed a letter encouraging the state legislature to abolish capital punishment. In their letter to the legislature, they stated, “As prosecutors with different beliefs and backgrounds, we do not all agree on the morality of capital punishment [;] however, all of us do agree on the public policy goal of death penalty repeal.” This sentiment reflects changing public attitudes in “death penalty country.” The electorate is also acting on capital punishment. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, between 2015 and 2018, voters removed sitting prosecutors in one-third of the U.S. counties with the largest local death rows. Virginia is now a non-death penalty state. Virginia abolished the death penalty on 3/24/21.
Perhaps the most publicized prosecutorial stand against capital punishment was taken by Ms. Aramis Ayala, a Florida state attorney whose predecessors had sent twenty-two convicts to death row. After being elected, Ms. Ayala announced that her office would no longer pursue capital punishment, citing its costs, its lack of deterrent effect, and the length of time between sentencing and execution. Ms. Ayala’s decision set off a firestorm of criticism in Florida’s law enforcement community, and the governor reassigned her death-penalty-eligible defendants to other state attorneys’ offices.
Up for Debate:
“Victims’ families need closure. Communities need outcomes that accord with their values. The death penalty provides neither.” —Fairfax County (Virginia) Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano.
A prosecutor has to have no doubt . . . that the person committed [capital] crimes. As long as you have no doubt, I don’t think there is any valid argument against the death penalty.” —Lake County (Ohio) Prosecuting Attorney Charles Coulson
What’s Your Take?
Step 1: Choose a Topic
Begin by selecting one of the following essay topics. You must answer all the questions and bulleted information requests for that topic:
Advocate for the preservation of the death penalty in America (Question 1).In counties where the majority of the population supports capital punishment, should prosecutors have the discretion to decline to pursue the death penalty in aggravated murder cases? Why or why not?
Anticipate and respond to the opposing viewpoints and arguments and address them in your essay.
OR…
Advocate for the abolishment of the death penalty in America (Question 2).Analyze the practice of guaranteeing every offender sentenced to death in the United States the chance to appeal this punishment. Explain whether this practice contributes to a fairer process.
Anticipate and respond to the opposing viewpoints and arguments and address them in your essay.
Step 2: Research and Gather Materials
Collect relevant sources, articles, studies, cases, and websites that pertain to the topic. Ensure you have a variety of sources to support your argument and opposing viewpoints. Take notes on key points, arguments, and statistics from your sources that you may want to include in your essay. Keep track of your sources for proper citation APA formatting/referencing.
Step 3: Structure Your Essay
Create a title page with your essay title, your name, the course name, the professor’s name, and the date. Write an abstract (not included in the word count) that summarizes your essay in 150-250 words. Begin your essay with an introduction:
Provide an engaging hook to capture the reader’s attention.
Present your thesis statement, which should clearly state your position on the chosen topic.
Outline the main points you will discuss in your essay.
Step 4: Body of the Essay
Organize your essay into multiple paragraphs, each with a clear topic sentence. For each point you make, use evidence from your research to support your argument. Cite your sources properly using APA citation style. Address opposing viewpoints and arguments by anticipating and refuting them in a respectful and well-reasoned manner. Provide examples, real cases, and statistics to bolster your claims. Be sure to apply the knowledge you gained during the course to strengthen your argument.
Step 5: Conclusion
Summarize your main points and restate your thesis. Emphasize the significance of your argument and why it matters. Leave the reader with a thought-provoking concluding statement.
Step 6: References
Create a separate reference page listing all the sources you cited in your essay, formatted in APA style
Step 7: Proofread and Edit
Carefully proofread your essay for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Check that your essay meets the required word count (500-1,000 words). Ensure that your essay adheres to APA formatting guidelines, including in-text citations and reference pages.
Step 8: Submission
Save your essay as a Word document (.doc). Attach your essay as a file when submitting it to your professor, following the specified submission method. Do not send it via email or paste it into a submission text box.
Additional Tips
Revise and edit your essay multiple times to ensure clarity and coherence.
Seek feedback from peers or a writing center if available.
Properly cite all sources following APA citation guidelines to avoid plagiarism. Use transitional phrases and clear organization to improve the flow of your essay.
By following these instructions, you will be well-prepared to write a well-researched and persuasive mini-essay on your chosen topic in APA format.
Please make sure to read the rubric before starting on your essay assignments.