The Death Penalty Should Be Abolished

==Defense==I shall first start defending my own arguments.C1: DeterrenceOnce again, my opponent states flawed reasoning. PRO has given us a survey that doesn't take into count other factors that may affect the death penalty and homicide rates. My sources have used much more sophisticated methods, and have taken in other factors, such as socioeconomic and policies, in order to isolate the death penalty's deterrence effects.Finally, let it be noted that my opponent cited a source from 1996. That was 16 years ago. My sources are far more qualified and recent - and furthermore, my source has used more sophisticated and accurate means of getting their conclusion.C2: Bargaining ChipLet it be known that my opponent's source for the fact that there are many false confessions (15-20) that are caused by the police examines all issues, regardless of whether or not it relates to the death penalty [1]. My opponents arguments are not relevent to the topic - they have almost nothing to do with the death penalty. Not to mention the fact that my opponents own source said that "hundreds of convicted prisoners have been exonerated by DNA and non-DNA evidence" [1], which simply proves my point that modern (and improving) science is increasing the efficiency. The long-run is on my side.My opponent also tries to argue that DNA testing can be unreliable. However, there is a major flaw in my oponent's arguments - he does not examine other improved forms of non-DNA evidence.But I shall start explaining how advanced DNA-testing has improved the criminal justice system and is still improving it. Advanced DNA testing has improved and is improving the state in which the death penalty is used fairly. Advanced DNA testing supports the credibility of capital punishment verdicts [2]. My source has specifically stated that "we are in a better position than ever before to ensure that only the guilty are executed" [2].Further sources proved and found a similar point [3] [4] [5].C3: AccuracyMore and more people are being proven innocent specfically due to irrefutable DNA evidence of someone's innocence. Furthermore, the Death Penalty has nearly 99.6% rate of accuracy.A person's average wait on the death row is 20 years [6]. And have you heard of the Innocence Project? It's an organization that works towards finding the innocence of certain inmates and to improve the criminal justice program [7]. I think 20 years is more than enough to prevent the death of somone innocent.C4: PopularityMy opponent, once again, misunderstands my argument. I'm trying to say that as time passes on, society's views on what is morally acceptable and what is not changes and evolves. The criminal justice system must also follow it.For example, the majority of people tend to dislike and advoid internet crime/fraud. However, say 500 years ago, no one was concerned with it. Why? Due to the fact that the internet was not yet invented. Popularity in the sense of what is right and what is wrong is a valid argument, due to the fact that these issues are completely subjective and society's opinion.Your attempt to use Gallup Polls cannot be a valid argument, since empirical data disproves general belief.==Refutations==I shall now attack my opponent's arguments.C1: Life in Prison*sighs* My opponent uses a survey that took place in the UK to justify his position. Let me remind you that this law is specifically confined to the UNITED STATES.Not to mention the fact that if the DP was abolished, there will be far more dangerous criminals in prisons, which can increase the risk of homicide within prisons.And furthermore, my opponent concedes the fact that you cannot confirm that the inmate will stay in jail for life. Goverment officials or judges can offer clemency, parole, or find a reason for a new trial. [8]By accepting this other form of punishment, you may actually cause the deaths of people once the inmates get out of jail.And you also must keep in mind that countless lives will be loss due to the fact that the death penalty is no longer a detterent [9].C2: Risking InnocentsI shall remind you one more time, the death penalty has a 99.6% rate of executing guilty people. The average wait on the death row is 20 years, which gives outside parties, such as the Innocence Project, plenty of time to investigate and confirm guilt.And also, all forms of punishment has a risk of affecting innocent people who were convicted. Should we get rid of the criminal justice all together?Sources:[1] http://www.jaapl.org...[2] Orrin G. Hatch, JD, US Senator (R-UT), in his June 13, 2000 speech "Statement of Senator Orrin Hatch Senate Committee on the Judiciary Hearing on 'Post-Conviction DNA Testing: When Is Justice Served?',"[3] The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) http://www.aclu.org...[4] The National Institute of Justice https://www.ncjrs.gov... [5] https://www.ncjrs.gov...[6] http://www.usatoday.com...[7] http://www.innocenceproject.org...[8] David Schaefer, PhD, Professor of Political Science at Holy Cross College, in his Dec. 2001 article for The American Enterprise titled "The Death Penalty and Its Alternatives"[9] http://deathpenaltycurriculum.org...