Seattle Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Death Penalty
Widely seen as a human-rights violation, the use of the death penalty has been decreasing by governments throughout the entire world; although capital punishment is still practiced within the United States. In fact, the U.S. Federal government as well as 37 states including Washington, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Virginia allows the use of capital punishment. Washington State Department of Corrections states that: "capital punishment imposed by the state's courts be carried out at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla." There are currently two methods of execution used in Washington, which are hanging and lethal injection.
If you have been accused of committing a serious crime which may result in a death penalty upon conviction, it is imperative that you contact McNeese & Trotsky, PLLC, today to discuss your Washington criminal case with an aggressive Seattle criminal defense lawyer.
For years, there have been strong opinions concerning the validity of the death penalty. For various reasons, the United States Supreme Court has limited the scope of the punishment, and in recent years has disallowed the application of the death penalty in cases involving defendants with certain mental disabilities, or defendants accused of certain types of crimes.
Arguments for the Use of Capital Punishment in the United States:
- There is no chance of escaping incarceration
- The felon will not be able to commit more criminal offenses
- The reality of the death penalty may be used as a crime deterrent
Arguments against the Use of Capital Punishment in the United States:
- No government should be allowed the right to kill a person
- The death penalty may be viewed negatively by other countries which do not use capital punishment
- While the death penalty is final, there is no undoing it in a situation where new evidence can prove that a defendant did not commit a heinous crime
- It has been shown in studies that racial and class-related prejudices play a large part in determining who receives a death sentence
If you have been charged with a crime which has the possibility of a death penalty as a consequence, contact one of our aggressive Seattle criminal lawyers today so that we may review your case. If you hire us to defend you, we will work hard for you and create a solid defense based on your particular case.
DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.