The death penalty is a very important, but is also controversial issue to many people. Crimes that warrant the death penalty or life in prison sentence is a hard issue to understand because of the circumstances, cost, special situation, human rights and DNA testing that all play a role in the conviction of the person being accused.
             There are many different circumstances to receive a sentence of life in prison or the death penalty. Premeditated murder is a crime that was committed willing and knowingly as non-premeditated murder is a crime committed without intent. A person can willfully commit the act of murder and can also be wrongfully accused. A crime that is committed out of passion, hatred or accidentally can all be considered mitigating factors to warrant a life or death sentence.
             The costs it takes to have a person serve a life sentence with appeals, would be the same if we were to have them executed. Congress, in 1995 had to eliminate a twenty million dollar annual budget for Post-Conviction Defender Organizations. The cost to serve a life sentence in prison sentences in the billions. In 1995, a man was proven innocent and was awarded $1.25 million dollars and was given an official apology from the attorney general's office. The Government has allocating an annual budget to help improve on the prison systems. Even though justice system is still flawed and requires inquiries after inquiries to try to make the system better.
             Human rights activists might insist that to take another life is the same as committing the murder our selves. On the other hand a parent or family member might feel vindicated in the person accused being sentenced to death. Therefore they might feel closure, but it still does not bring back their loved one. The issue that comes to mind of many Americans, is it right to take another life?
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