Why can't the U.S. execute convicted murderers as quick other countries like IRAQ?

Answer 1

Criminals in the US have more rights than their victims or innocent people. Murderers on death row get about twenty years of free legal council to challenge the jury's verdict.

Answer 2

We've never had a President do what Saddam has done. Also, I am sure if Lincoln, during our Civil War, was captured by the Confederacy that he would be considered a candidate for the gallows. As for the present, and even if found guilty, our judicial system exhausts all means of trials, re-trials and delays before someone is executed. In Iraq, their judicial system is based more under the Koran where judgment is swifter in comparison to our's. Their judicial system is undergoing changes, having previously been under a dictatorship where Saddam made quick order of those HE felt were guilty regardless if they were or not.

Answer 3

Certainly our concept of due process is part of the answer. Any reasonable person would want be certain beyond a reasonable doubt that the condemned has the chance to clear themselves if in fact they are wrongly convicted. The other piece of the puzzle would have to be the "bleeding hearts" that would keep ANYONE alive - no matter how evil they are. With today's science and DNA evidence - there's no reason prisoners should sit on death row for many years when we KNOW they've done something heinous. In those cases, and particularly where there is video evidence for example - I see no reason to keep the perpetrator alive for another 10 years after conviction.

Answer 4

What good would quick executions bring?

Iraq executed Hussein quickly and they have thousands of murders each month in Baghdad alone. Is that what you want for the US?

Answer 5

If you calculate the ratio of lawyers to convicted murders in the US and other counties like IRAQ I think you will have your answer!

Answer 6

Well I suppose the USA is much quicker that here in Australia where we haven't executed anyone for about 50 years. We have about one-third the murder rate of the USA. I suppose it's more of a deterrent to have to spend a long period in gaol than to be executed.

Answer 7

Generally speaking, the USA does it because it has laws that say we must give much process and deliberation and opportunities to the accused/defendant/criminal.

Most of these laws are in place because of a moral belief:
"If for some reason unknown to you, suddenly you found yourself in prison and convicted of the murder of a person, guilty or innocent, and you were to be killed for your crime next week, would you or would you not want much more time to try to prove your innocence?"

Or, who should we give extra chances to: the government (to kill you, perhaps mistakenly) or you (to get out of jail, perhaps undeservedly)? Which way would you rather err towards?

Answer 8

Because our Justice system is flawed! The great debater wins the convictions,, so they need to make sure they have the right man or woman,, and sometimes the innocent die too!!

Answer 9

WOW that is agreat question.
ALL this crap about spending years waiting for the death jab is just silly to me.
They could cut the deficit in half by just clearing out death row
ROPE $22.90 at walmart
last meal $4.58 at mcdonalds
watching serial killers swing from said rope: PRICELESS
outlaw the electric chair as the cost of electricity is too high to justify wasting it on scum

Answer 10

Simple. We have a legal system that goes to great lengths to ensure that people have due process.

Have you seen any convicted mass murderers running around lately?