• Analyze and substantively discuss the issues and impact of Furman v. Georgia on death penalty policies and legislation, not only in Texas but throughout the United States.
• Discuss the lethal injection policies and protocols that were adopted by the Texas legislature in 1977. Explain how the protocols have changed several times since 1977? Explain.
• Analyze and substantively discuss three legal court challenges to Texas' death penalty related/lethal injection polices and protocols over the past 40 years. List specific court cases, the applicable legal challenges, and what were the outcomes.
• Outline legislative and policy steps that Texas has taken to impact the length of time a person spends on death row in Texas before their execution.
• Research current capital punishment policies in the United States and discuss alternatives (at least 2) that Texas could adopt if the United States Supreme Court ruled that the lethal injection method of execution is unconstitutional.
• Analyzeand substantively discuss racial disparities in capital punishment cases/sentencing in Texas. Include data to support your analysis.
• Assess and substantively discuss the impact that Capital Punishment policies in Texas have had on crime control from 1923 - 2024. Include data and an analysis of the data to support your assessment. Select a state that does not use capital punishment and compare crime rates in that state compared to Texas? Explain if states that practice capital punishment have lower crime rates/enhanced community safety? Again, use data and an analysis of the date to support your assessment.