Topic 213: Death Penalty Ethics and Law

A1–A2 Level

1. Why do some countries punish serious crimes very strongly?

2. What crimes do people think deserve the strongest punishment?

3. Why do laws exist to punish criminals?

4. What does fairness mean in punishment?

5. Why do some people believe harsh punishment prevents crime?

6. Why do others think punishment should focus on correction?

7. Who decides punishments in a legal system?

8. Why are courts important in serious crime cases?

9. What role do judges play in sentencing?

10. Why do trials take a long time sometimes?

11. Can mistakes happen in court decisions? How?

12. Why is evidence important in criminal cases?

13. Why do some countries not use this punishment?

14. How can punishment affect victims’ families?

15. Why do laws change over time?

16. How do you feel about very severe punishments for crime?

B1–B2 Level

17. Why is the death penalty debated around the world?

18. What arguments support using the death penalty?

19. Why do many people oppose it?

20. How does the risk of wrongful conviction affect this debate?

21. Can severe punishment reduce violent crime? Why or why not?

22. How do legal appeals protect defendants?

23. Why do countries apply this punishment differently?

24. How does public opinion influence criminal law?

25. What role do human rights play in this debate?

26. How can discrimination affect sentencing decisions?

27. Why do some victims’ families support this punishment?

28. How does long prison time compare to execution?

29. What costs are involved in death penalty cases?

30. Should punishment focus more on justice or safety? Why?

31. How do international laws view this issue?

32. How do you feel about the possibility of legal mistakes?

C1–C2 Level

33. Can the death penalty be ethically justified? Explain.

34. How do moral theories evaluate capital punishment?

35. Should the state have the power to take life? Why or why not?

36. How does unequal application affect legitimacy of the law?

37. What safeguards are necessary in irreversible punishments?

38. How does the death penalty impact a country’s global image?

39. Can abolition strengthen respect for human rights? How?

40. How do political pressures shape death penalty laws?

41. Should victims’ emotions influence sentencing decisions? Why?

42. How do long appeals affect justice and closure?

43. Can life imprisonment be a sufficient alternative? Explain.

44. How does race or class influence death penalty outcomes?

45. What responsibilities do lawmakers have in this issue?

46. How might future legal systems view this punishment?

47. Can justice exist without extreme penalties? How?

48. How do you feel this debate reflects society’s values?