In Jamestown Colony in the United States, capital punishment was first used in 1608; it is still practiced in this country today. However, only 27 of the 50 U.S. states have legalized the death penalty. The use of the death penalty is currently limited to aggravated murder. However, in some cases it can be used as punishment for crimes such as treason, espionage, murder, mass drug trafficking or attempted murder of witnesses, jurors or court officials. The debate over whether the United States should use the death penalty continues today, despite compelling arguments for and against it. Deterrence is America’s strength. Deterrence is defined as the strategy of deterring criminal activity through the threat of punishment (Gaines & Miller, 2019). By showing that such crimes are socially unacceptable, and that it is justice to impose the harshest punishment for the horrific acts committed by individuals, such crimes will be discouraged in the future. By initially weighing or weighing the rewards and costs of the crime, the person is expected to reconsider their plans to commit the horrific crime. Another benefit is that the death penalty satisfies the victim or the victim’s family. The death penalty can bring some closure to victims’ families, which can help them cope with grief (Goodman, 2020). Retribution is also a benefit of the death penalty. continue…