Do you agree with the death penalty??

Question

I can't decide... It's like, what if they are innocent and the justice system failed them...but then I hear a man talk about how he raped and killed a little girl and I think he should die..What's your opinion?

Answer 1

I oppose it. I hope that you are looking for more than opinions. Some of the answers you received already are wrong on the facts. Here are answers to some questions often asked about the death penalty system. The sources are listed below.

What about the risk of executing innocent people?
124 people on death rows have been released with evidence of their innocence, and over 50 of these had already served over 2 decades.

Doesn't DNA keep new cases like these from happening, as many people believe?
DNA is available in less than 10% of all homicides. It is not a guarantee against the execution of innocent people.

Doesn't the death penalty prevent others from committing murder? You may be surprised at how many people think this is so.)
No reputable study shows the death penalty to be a deterrent. To be a deterrent a punishment must be sure and swift. The death penalty is neither. Homicide rates are higher in states that have it than in states that do not.

So, what are the alternatives?
Life without parole is now on the books in 48 states. It means what it says. It is sure and swift and rarely appealed. Life without parole is less expensive than the death penalty.

But isn't the death penalty cheaper than keeping criminals in prison? (Note to Peach- you really should look at the numbers)
The death penalty costs much more than life in prison. Extra costs include those due to the complicated nature of both the pre trial investigation and of the trials (involving 2 separate stages, mandated by the Supreme Court) in death penalty cases and subsequent appeals. There are more cost effective ways to prevent and control crime.

What about the very worst crimes?
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??

Doesn't the death penalty help families of murder victims?
Not necessarily. Murder victim family members across the country argue that the drawn-out death penalty process is painful for them and that life without parole is an appropriate alternative.

So, why don't we speed up the process as some of your answerers suggest?
Many of the 124 innocent people released from death row had already been there for over 2 decades. If the process is speeded up we are sure to execute an innocent person.

But don’t Americans prefer the death penalty as the most serious punishment?
Not any more. People are rethinking their views, given the facts and the records on innocent people sentenced to death. According to a Gallup Poll, in 2006, 47% of all Americans prefer capital punishment while 48% prefer life without parole.

Answer 2

I believe in it for one main reason. The convict will never kill again once the death penalty has been enforced. It also wont cost 50 thousand a year to keep him languishing. The death penalty is really a life guarantee. I would guess the average time spent on death row is about 17 years. Free health and meals, TV exercise etc. No that prison is a day care center but they put themselves there.

Yes there probably have been " mistakes" on the death sentence. What are the percents so far as any knows?

If they left them in their cell and did not give them bennies, just fed them, clothed them and made them do some work for the rest of their lives, then I could see holding back on the death penalty. Since this will never happen, we should keep the death penalty.

Answer 3

Okay, I know the christians are going to take away points but here goes.... I agree there is a place for it.. I think each case has to be individual, I dont believe in case law because it sets the bar for future criminals when in fact every crime should be tried alone and decided alone as not all are the same, or even remotely.... if someone is a predatory killer, its best they not be alive, they will kill again as soon as they are released... or predatory child molesters or killers... for sure... get rid of them, you cant help them, they arent right in the head... domestic crimes..... well.... depends.. usually someone who kills someone they know isnt going to go on a rampage.. usually but again... try the case in its indivuality and make a decision based on it and it alone... if the law was set up this way it would be better... case law should not be part of the equation in any seeking of the death penalty. And for all those people who cry "what about executing the innocent" well yes, it will happen but the numbers will be miniscule compared to the saving of future innocent victims... so accidently kill two people as opposed to about 100 who are victims of violent senseless crimes... i could live with that.

Answer 4

Yes i do. The death penalty will not only deter other criminals from committing other crimes, it will also give the victim's family some form of comfort. But before the death penalty can be implemented, it would be necessary to provide a fair trial to the accused to ensure that he/she is not stripped of their rights or being wrongly accused. Also, when we are looking at the death penalty, we must ask ourselves, what kind of crimes should the death penalty be implemented? In some parts of Africa, Someone just having sex with an under-aged girl can be given the death penalty. This has resulted in a lot of abuse. So in my stand, death penalty should be implemented, but only if the criminal caused grievous hurt to the victim, such as in the case of rape and murder.

Answer 5

Yes I believe in the death penalty. Mistakes are few and far between. Prisons would not be so overcrowded if we had more severe punishments.

It is said that it costs more to execute then house/feed one criminal. I don't believe that nonsense. Some sit in prison for 50 years and more. What is the point of that. Some crimes committed and so horrendous that the only answer for them should be extinction. Our whole system is so faulty now that I don't know that it could ever be revamped.

Answer 6

Not only do I believe in it, I think it should be extend to make the inmate suffer the same death he/she caused. The chances of an innocent person coming to the death penalty are probably less than winning the lottery. It can happen, but very rare. The anti-death penalty people would rather feed them food that could just as well be going to people who need it, than someone who would just as well kill again.

Answer 7

I am a Hindu living in India. If the people dont, Gods will give me a second chance. I will get reincarnated when I am put to death. So I have no worries. But thinking of you guys, I would rather say NO. I dont agree with death penalty for adult men. I am yet to decide what is my opinion on women of all ages and minors.

Answer 8

Yes, the death penalty system is a joke today. Victim after victim get victimized and the system lets them go! to create more victims for judges and lawyers can keep there sleazy lifestyles in secret!

Answer 9

no i don't agree with the death penalty. cause nothing can be solved with death what so ever. if you think it's wrong for the murderer to kill an innocent victim what are you going to justify by killing him? that your capable of killing someone who's guilty? murder is wrong regardless,of the cause whether it be on a battle field or in a prison it's still wrong. and there is no way to justify the taking of a precious human life. no matter it's value in society.

Answer 10

Some crimes are so heinous that the only fitting punishment is death. A scenario such as you described is one of them.

The death penalty process, however, is full of chances for someone who was wrongly convicted to get heard. This is the reason most death row inmates spend 20+ years on death row.