The most compelling arguments against capital punishment can be made on the basis of its actual administration in our society. I will list five of the usual points. The possibility of error . Sometimes a person might be put to death who is innocent. Unfair administration .
Capital punishment is inflicted disproportionately on the poor and minorities.
Weakness of the argument from deterrence . The claim that the threat of capital punishment reduces violent crime is inconclusive, certainly not proven, extremely difficult to disprove, and morally suspect if any case. The length of stay on death row . If there were ever any validity to the deterrence argument, it is negated by the endless appeals, delays, technicalities, and retrials that keep persons condemned to death waiting for execution for years on end. One of the strongest arguments right now against capital punishment is that we are too incompetent to carry it out.