According to the New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia, capital punishment is the infliction through due process of law of the death penalty as punishment for a crime. Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, has been around for centuries. The first death penalty laws date back to the 18th century BC in the Code of King Hammaurabi of Babylon, who codified the death penalty for 25 different crimes (www.deathpenaltyinfo.org). Not only is capital punishment ancient, but it is also highly controversial. For many years there has been a huge debate about capital punishment and its morality. When discussing the capital punishment debate, there are two main sides. The first part is made up of individuals considered to be in favor of capital punishment because they agree with the method of execution, if this is what the crime requires. Pro-capital punishment organizations argue that being executed is a deterrent to criminals and has helped reduce the number of crimes, particularly murders. It is also argued that justice is better served because closure is given to the families of the victims. When it comes to finances and overpopulation in the justice system, individuals who favor capital punishment tend to argue that not only will the death penalty contribute to the problem of overpopulated prisons; it will also provide prosecutors with another bargaining chip when trying to orchestrate a plea deal (www.balancedpolitics.org). Whether or not some find these arguments valid, there are certainly those who disagree with the previously listed statements. In opposition to those who are in favor of capital punishment, there are those who are against capital punishment because they do not agree...... middle of paper ......uals have not given up the fight.Works cite1. Willis, John. "Capital Punishment". The Catholic Encyclopedia. vol. 12. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. January 31, 2010 .2. Part I: History of the Death Penalty |." Death Penalty Information Center. Web. January 22, 2010..3. Messerli, Joe. "BalancedPolitics.org - Death Penalty (For and Against, Arguments for and Against)." BalancedPolitics.org - Free and balanced discussion on political and social issues for debate (Pros and cons - Policy making). Genesis Holy Bible 2nd ed.