Death penalty.... should I stay or should I go?

Question

I've been invited to attend an introductory session [in 2 weeks time] for a Death Penalty Internship Programme to take place in the USA next year.The internship will involve “hands-on” exposure of legal work involving the common law system of the USA - criminal justice, medical law and human rights and the interns will be expected to work on: United States legal, research, manage case files, contribute to the briefs filed in state and federal
courts, interview witnesses and jurors in appeals cases and visit prisons, including death row.
The problem is that I really am quite amibivalent about the whole death penalty thing. If you are faced with a person who has killed someone and shows absolutely no remorse & indeed desires to kill again, a part of me feels that maybe this person shouldn't be on this earth. I am fully aware, however, that there are miscarriages of justice with innocent people being exectued all the time, but I wonder whether I would be disingenuous by applying?

Frodo Baggins... will let you know... oh and I'm off to middle earth [New Zealand] next June as well!!

Answer 1

You should apply if this experience will promote your career. By not applying, you would be serving no purpose to the convicted, nor to yourself

Answer 2

I think that you are already expecting indoctrination rather than education. If you can keep that in your mind then you will go with an open one.
I do agree with you that you hear and see cases that make you feel that a person should no longer be on this earth - but consider the case of Ian Huntley who seems to have a determination to commit suicide but is not allowed to. Why should this be?
Consider, also, the cases of many very sick people who want to die - but are not allowed to.
I have no desire to see the death penalty brought back in this country.
Go, if you think that you can keep that educated and open mind and come back with all the reasons for NOT having the death penalty - don't go and accept everything that is said - question it all.
Good luck - and will you let us all know what your decision was and why?

Answer 3

You should apply. There will be other invitees, who have opinions that are different than your's. Thus, there will be some balance in those sessions.

Take it on a case-by-case basis. Look at each and decide the degree of seriousness with which you and the rest of society should regard that criminal act. For example, if someone kidnapped, raped, and killed a little girl, that person should be put to death. A person who shows no remorse and/or desires to kill or rape again should be executed.

Answer 4

This isn't like joining a political party or interest group. You are simply attending as an active observer. Go along, do what you are asked to do and have an interesting time. You will merely be working as an intern and what you do is hardly going to influence the fate of anyone in death row one way or another. And when you return, your private views will remain your private views because as a lawyer practising in a EU Member State, matters are completely out of your hands and there is nothing which you could do to influence them. Go and benefit from this experience! I would!

Answer 5

Yes I would Attend , simply because the points of View that no doubt be expressed will only add to your ability to learn about the various angles and view points on the subject, without having form a definate opinion , but to let the whole thing ferment in your mind over the weeks and months ahead --- Good Luck

Answer 6

sounds like a song I once heard should I stay or should I go ...if your ambivalent about the whole death penalty thing then think you should not go ..if your that unfeeling would hate to have you on my corner or not ...2 wrongs don't make a right and every case or person is different surly or are they just a number ...remember" there but for the grace of god go I .".don't think you should apply remember its just an opinion and its your opinion that counts and how you feel nooooooo me.......changed my mind go and see if it makes a difference maybe seeing someone executed may bring you to your senses and the real world ....would hate to be in your shoes ..if you do

Answer 7

Definitely, definitely go!

Whether you are for or against the death penalty shouldn't matter because it seems like it will be an interesting experience. And you never know, once you've attended this thing then you might not be ambivelant on the issue anymore...

Answer 8

as long as you feel your concience can handle the job then go for it ,but dont be upset when you find out that a few of the death row inmates are in there under false allegations and a corrupt system ,and theres diddly squit you can do to help them except watch someone bring about an early death ...still someone has to do it ,just glad they dont have a death penalty in the u.k

Answer 9

The Death penalty has been proved it doesn't work at reducing serious crime so what's the point of going.

But, on the other hand it would give you some good experience.

Your choice i'm afraid

Answer 10

homicide costs are particularly decrease in states with out the death penalty. the main up-tp-date FBI records confirms this. for those that lack a judgment of right and incorrect, worry of being caught is the final deterrent.

Answer 11

If you are so ambivalent why don't you go and maybe with more knowledge you will be more able to make a decision you would be comfortable with. If it ever arrives that you have to make that decision.

Knowledge never hurt any one. It is the lack of knowledge that leads to problems.