The Judiciary of Texas Essay Example

robbery, burglary, sexual assault, arson or kidnapping, as well as the murder of a public safety officer or a person under six years old. Any offense falling within this category is eligible for the death penalty. These laws, combined with limited options for convicting offenders of lesser crimes, contribute to Texas having a substantial number of death sentences. In fact, Texas accounts for one-third of all executions in the United States. This prevalence of capital punishment in Texas underscores the inequality within the country's justice system.

Statistics indicate that the death penalty is administered fairly across racial groups, although a majority of those sentenced are African Americans. Between 1923 and 1964, white individuals made up 34.1% of death sentences, while African Americans constituted 56.3%. This disparity continues to exist today. To improve efficiency and equity, various recommendations have been proposed such as prioritizing public safety and immigration. A potential solution involves promoting effective law enforcement techniques by providing community members with knowledge about laws and policies that uphold fundamental principles, thereby decreasing the number of offenses.

By keeping a low rate of parole and probation revocation, the state can achieve significant cost savings. This will not only reduce the prison population but also promote equality and eliminate the need for future jail and prison construction.