The death penalty has been a topic of heated debate for many years. Some people believe that the death penalty is unconstitutional because it is cruel and unusual punishment. Many people also think that states have no authority to take a life. They think it is God's responsibility to judge life and death, not man's. So they look at the death penalty from a religious point of view. The elements that this commission will consider in evaluating the humanity and constitutionality of the death penalty are lethal injection, a humane way to put a criminal to death. We will also look at the constitution to ensure that the state follows it. Furthermore, it will be considered whether the State will ensure that all death row inmates receive adequate DNA testing to prove their guilt or innocence. One of the most important things this commission must decide is whether the death penalty violates constitutional rights. Many people have argued that the death penalty is unconstitutional because it is cruel and unusual punishment. An example of this occurred in California, when the state delayed the date on which an inmate was sentenced to death because his lawyer argued that the death penalty by lethal injection was cruel and unusual punishment (Hooper, 2006). Lawyers for Michael Morales (the man sentenced to death by lethal injection) say there have been cases with other inmates who did not receive enough anesthesia and therefore felt too much pain while being put to death (Hooper). This doubt raised can create great concern for any state and that is why the governor decided to suspend executions and establish this panel. Much of this cruel and unusual punishment will be explained...... middle of paper ...... Constitution. However, even though the death penalty is more expensive, there are people who are simply too dangerous to stay alive. The death penalty also offers a deterrent to people who might be considering a terrible act. It could prevent someone from robbing a store because there is a possibility that someone could die in the act, therefore making it a capital punishment. There are pros and cons to the death penalty, but ultimately I believe it should be taken into consideration when dealing with the most serious and gruesome criminals. Works CitedAllen, H.E., Latessa, E.J., & Ponder, B.S. (2010). Corrections in America (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.Hooper, R. (2006). US faces death row injection dilemma. New scientist. 189(2541). P. 10.McGraw, D., & Locy, T. (2000). DNA and the death penalty. US News & World Report. 128(23). P.20-21