The subject of the death penalty is one of the most controversial subjects today. Whenever the death penalty, also known as capital punishment, comes up, extremists from both sides begin to express their opinions. One side is pro-death penalty, while the other side says there's a potential of executing an innocent man. One says justice, retribution, and punishment, while the other side says execution is murder. However, all arguments aside, the best way and to make a rational decision about capital punishment is to examine the purpose of our criminal justice system. Once the purpose of the criminal justice system is established, one must find out the purpose of capital punishment. History has shown the purpose of capital punishment is consistent with and embodies the purpose of the criminal justice system. The first question that must be faced is, "What is the purpose of the criminal justice system and does the death penalty help to fulfill that purpose?"
             The purpose of the criminal justice system is to uphold the law and order in society. The death penalty is apart of many societies today and has been around for hundreds of years. In the past the death penalty also included intense torture. "For instance, in the thirteenth century, the death penalty became increasingly popular European countries. France, for one, would torture and kill convicted criminals. After that they would take the limbs and place them all around the city. Since there was not any television or radio, this was the way to communicate to society that convicted criminals for serious crimes were given there sentence."(1) There criminal justice system of the past felt that torture and public death was necessary in order to show the public that such crimes will not be tolerated. Even though the death penalty in the past was cruel and terrifying, it served its purpose in maintaining order in its society.
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