Capital Punishment for or against?

Answer 1

Against. There are too many mistakes with respect to guilt. Death is too easy if the person is guilty. It should be life without parole. Its harsher.

Answer 2

Here are some verifiable and sourced facts about the death penalty. This topic is too important not to look at them before you make up your own mind.

Re: Possibility of executing an innocent person
Over 120 people on death rows have been released with evidence of their innocence. Many had already served over 2 decades on death row. If we speed up the process we are bound to execute an innocent person. Once someone is executed the case is closed. If we execute an innocent person we are not likely to find that out and, also, the real criminal is still out there.

Re: DNA
DNA is available in no more than 10% of murder cases. It is not a miracle cure for sentencing innocent people to death. It’s human nature to make mistakes.

Re: Appeals
Our appeals system is designed to make sure that the trial was in accord with constitutional standards, not to second guess whether the defendant was actually innocent. It is very difficult to get evidence of innocence introduced before an appeals court.

Re: Deterrence
The death penalty isn’t a deterrent. Murder rates are actually higher in states with the death penalty than in states without it. Moreover, people who kill or commit other serious crimes do not think they will be caught (if they think at all.)

Re: cost
The death penalty costs far more than life in prison. The huge extra costs start to mount up even before the trial. There are more cost effective ways to prevent and control crime.

Re: Alternatives
48 states have life without parole on the books. It means what it says, is swift and sure and is rarely appealed. Being locked in a tiny cell for 23 hours a day, forever, is certainly no picnic.

Re: Who gets the death penalty
The death penalty isn’t reserved for the “worst of the worst,” but rather for defendants with the worst lawyers. When is the last time a wealthy person was sentenced to death, let alone executed??

Re: Victims families
The death penalty is very hard on victims’ families. They must relive their ordeal in the courts and the media. Life without parole is sure, swift and rarely appealed. Some victims families who support the death penalty in principal prefer life without parole because of how the death penalty affects families like theirs.

Opposing the death penalty doesn’t mean you condone brutal crimes or excuse people who commit them. According to a Gallup Poll, in 2006, 47% of all Americans prefer capital punishment while 48% prefer life without parole. Americans are learning the facts and making up their minds using common sense, not revenge.

Answer 3

Absolutely for.

It is very clearly a deterrent.

From Baily's study:
"in 27 states. When there was a moratorium on Capital Punishment in the United States, the study showed murder rates increased by 100%."

Answer 4

Against.

Answer 5

Until the prisons change I am "For". I know they are no walk in the park, but they are still better than many criminals homes. I mean 3 meals a day, cable, tons of free time, and virtually no responsibilities. I think that prison should be unbearable, for all the inmates, not just the poor ones.

Answer 6

When dna and all evidence is in.Why do we spend so much to keep these people alive ?I feel the third conviction for a violent crime sch. be game over. A case going on now in BC./ Robert Picton is on trial nowHe may have killed up to 75 women,she is pig farmer its alledged his victoms are pig feed. would you hire this person? The trial is going to last a year. at tax payers expence. he has been in protective custody for 5 years.

Answer 7

It depends now on if you belief in God or not . Those that believe in God tend to want executions and those who tend not to believe in God tend to accept life in prison . Some christian groups protest Death sentences but in many cases it is those who do not believe in religion that protest the loudest against killing people .

Answer 8

I am for capital punishment, but I agree with what Tirya said right above me.

Answer 9

I am in favor of capital punishment, however the legal system needs a serious revamp with regards to how it is applied and implemented.

If you maliciously take another's life without provocation, you forfeit your own.

Answer 10

I am pro-life in prison without parole... if that can't be established, then yes, pro-death penalty.

Yeah, I see where you're going with your questions... that's why I say I'm anti-abortion...
"Pro-life" is just another politically correct term... one that does not accurately describe me, the way that anti-abortion and pro-death penalty do.