A controversial issue in the current debate is the death penalty and its application in society. The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, occurs when an individual is punished by execution due to an offense they have committed (Taylor, 2014). Although Australia does not practice the death penalty, many countries continue to use it as a means of justice and uphold its value in society. The death penalty debate is a multifaceted issue, encompassing many aspects of society, including ethics and morality, the justice system, and politics and economics. Some would argue that the death penalty is a morally dubious and obsolete practice that is no longer relevant in the modern justice system because it infringes on the inviolable human right to life. Ethics and morality are the main arguments for and against the death penalty, as some individuals believe that the death penalty is an immoral practice and others consider that it can be morally justified when prolific crimes are committed . Punishment is a fundamental part of any legal system as a means of justice and prevents the offender from committing further crimes; however, in the case of the death penalty, the consequences can be disastrous if the legal system is wrong. Politics and economics are also strongly influenced by the death penalty, as they determine whether the practice is continued. The death penalty violates a number of human rights laws and some individuals believe it is immoral; however, others consider it justifiable due to the heinous actions of the offender. Ethics and morality are the fundamental reasons for supporting and opposing the death penalty, leading to the highly controversial nature of the debate. When heinous crimes occur...... middle of paper ......es and records administration. Retrieved from http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript.html California Fair Admission Commission. (2008). Report and Recommendations on the Administration of the Death Penalty in California. Retrieved from the California Fair Admission Commission website http://www.ccfaj.org/documents/reports/dp/official/FINAL%20REPORT%20DEATH%20PENALTY.pdfConvention on the Rights of the Child , December 15, 1989, United Nations General Assembly. Retrieved from http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/2ndOPCCPR.aspxThe Universal Declaration of Human Rights. (1948). The United Nations. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/Wenzel, M., Okimoto, TG, Feather, NT and Platow, MJ (2007). Retributive and restorative justice. Law and Human Behavior, 32(5), 375-389. do I: