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Capital punishment is equally common in all forms of political organization.

a. true
b. false

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

Capital punishment's prevalence varies by political organization and thus, the statement is false. In the U.S., the death penalty cannot be used on persons who were minors at the time of their crime, and its legality and application vary due to several factors, including public opinion and advancements in forensic science.

Step-by-step explanation:

Capital punishment is not equally common in all forms of political organization, which answers the initial part of the question as false. Regarding the specifics given in the question, according to the Supreme Court, the death penalty may not be applied to those who were under 18 when they committed a crime, making the correct choice (d). Additionally, the trends in capital punishment legality and application depend on the political climate, public opinion, and judicial interpretation of the Constitution, especially the Eighth Amendment as it relates to cruel and unusual punishment.

Furthermore, the history of the death penalty in the United States shows a movement towards more restrictions and in some cases, its abolition in certain states. This evolving perspective is partly due to revelations about wrongful executions and a decrease in violent crimes. For example, better DNA testing has exonerated previously convicted individuals, leading to a shift in public mood and policy regarding the death penalty.

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