Do you support the (use of the) death penalty?

Answer 1

Yes. Especially in crimes against children.

Answer 2

I don't support it. I believe it is not an effective way to prevent crime and keep us safe. Here are just a few facts, verifiable and sourced. Common sense can do the rest.

Re: Possibility of executing an innocent person
Over 120 people on death rows have been released with evidence of their innocence, many having 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 the real criminal is still out there and will have successfully avoided being charged.

Re: DNA
DNA is available in less than 10% of murder cases. It’s not a miracle cure for sentencing innocent people to death. It’s human nature to make mistakes.

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, forever, is certainly no picnic. Life without parole incapacitates a killer (keeps him from re-offending) and costs considerably less than the death penalty.

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 or an eye for an eye mentality.

Answer 3

I think the OPTION of death should be given in all cases of life or extremely long sentences. We might ;be surprised at the # of inmates who opt for death instead of life in prison, and think of all the money we'd save. Forcing a death penalty onto someone makes us no better than the murderer, does it not?

Answer 4

Cute parenthesis ...

I'd support it in many cases, IF it could be administered fairly by our institutions. However, I'm absolutely certain that's impossible, so no -- I don't support the "use of the" death penalty.

Answer 5

yes i do
i also think the inmates have way to many privileges

i think they could do without alot of what they have
i loved when the warden in some southern state took away their TV radio and all kinds of extras
why should we pay for them to live better then we do

Answer 6

Yes...absolutely.

Answer 7

personally, no. but i believe the gov has the right to self defense against dangerous criminals and they shud do whut they think is nessesary for the gud of the people ♥

Answer 8

Yes, and crimes against children are the #1 reason.

Answer 9

Yes, in those cases without a doubt they are guilty.

Answer 10

Yes. There are some criminals that are so vile that they shouldn't be allowed to live. Look at John Couey.