Capital punishment, the act of killing a criminal by legal procedure, is one of the most controversial topics in the world. Execution can be carried out in any of the following ways: decapitation, electric chair, firing squads, guillotines, hanging, lethal injection, poison gas, crucifixion and stoning. The most commonly used form in the United States of America is lethal injection. Some may say that it is the most civil way to kill a criminal, but others will say that the death penalty is absolutely not civil. Capital punishment is considered by many to be primitive, but also beneficial to the public through retaliation. The death penalty helps prevent future crimes, helps economically, and provides deserved punishment, but it is also considered immoral, barbaric, and misused due to historical usage. The death penalty helps prevent future crimes by serving as an incentive not to commit horrific atrocities. Obviously, most people fear the death penalty because they probably don't want to die. Some would argue, however, that these criminals do not have stable emotions or states of mind. This would counter the argument that it prevents potential crimes because they are primarily planning or able to commit their crime. The death penalty is a fear-based incentive to try to eliminate all horrific crimes. This form of punishment is completely understandable for this type of criminal. The death penalty is only imposed on those who commit first degree murder. First degree murder is defined as premeditated homicide, rape, deliberate homicide occurring as a result of a deadly weapon, or homicide occurring during a robbery. These types of conscious actions deserve equal punishment, i.e. death. H...... middle of paper...... literally, "get away with murder" (PAPA ROACH). Works cited “FASTSTATS – Life expectancy”. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 26, 2009. Landall, Lance. “Re: The death penalty is barbaric.” Blog comment. The lazy path to success. Winter 2005. May 25, 2009. Margolis, Eric S. “Stalin is the bloodiest figure of the century.” The voice of the people. January 21, 2008. May 26, 2009. "PAPA ROACH - Getting Away With Words of Murder." Words. May 22, 2009, “Pro-death penalty articles.” Welcome to Death Penalty Information @ DPINFO.com. February 20, 2001. May 27 2009 .