Are you for or against the death penalty??

Question

I need to know for a research paper!!! thanks!!

Answer 1

I oppose it because it is not an effective way of preventing or reducing crime and because it risks executing innocent people. In case you are looking for facts and not just opinions here are answers to questions asked about the practical aspects of 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.

Doesn't DNA keep new cases like these from happening?
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?
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 and regions 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?
The death penalty costs much more than life in prison, largely because of the legal process. 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?
Over 50 of the innocent people released from death row had already served over a decade. 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. Americans are learning about the system and we are making up our minds based on facts, not eye for an eye sound bites.

Answer 2

Until the government can come up with a way for it to be administered in a fair and unarbitrary manner, then I am against the death penalty. Sure, some crimes are so heinous that they deserve the death penalty but when you can commit such a crime on one side of the street in Lake Tahoe and Nevada jurisdiction applies and you get the death penalty, but if you just cross the street into the California side you won't even by committing an even worse crime then there's something very wrong. And remember OJ? The state didn't even seek the death penalty when it was available in California because they didn't think they could get a jury to convict and put to death the juice. How many people do you think are sitting on death row who have a ton of money?

Nope. Fix allot of things first and then I'll think about being for the death penalty. But there's a bunch of work to be done before that day comes.

Answer 3

I am so against the death penalty. What gives the government the right to kill people?? It is so permanent and less of a punishment. It is so much worse for the criminal to live every day in jail, knowing he will never get out. They'd almost want death and you shouldn't be giving criminals what they want you should be punishing them.
Also, keeping a criminal under maximum security is so cheap compared to giving the death penalty. Why waste all this money on scum bags?

Answer 4

I don't think the death penalty is necessary in todays society. I don't think it is morally wrong if it is used as a means of defense for society.

If there were no other way to prevent further killings, I think it would be morally acceptable. In our present situation I think there are more effective, less violent means to prevent further killings. I think victim's rights is cited for the use of the death penalty more often than defense of society.

It seems our culture uses the death penalty for victims vengance. I don't think we have that right. And in the long run killing the perpetrator does nothing to help the victim. In fact, it could hurt the victim by making them either bitter or regretful.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

i am for the death penalty because there is no truth in sentencing , for example if a person gets 10 yrs they only do like two and I am so against that . If the judge said 10 years then they need 10 yrs . with the death penalty there is no 2nd chances to do harm to others . good luck on your paper .

Answer 6

Hate to be difficult, but I would describe myself as for the death penalty with modifications.

If you need help with your paper drop me an e-mail I worked on death penalty debates and papers back in high school and college.

Answer 7

For the death penalty for the following crimes.
1. Aggrevated Murder
2. Major Drug Traffiking
3. Violent Rape (without the influence of drugs)
4. Child Rape (not like a 17 y/o doing a 15 y/o though)

All under discretion...

Answer 8

I oppose the death penalty because of the expense that it puts onto society. These people get nearly endless attempts at getting their sentence commuted to life in prison. Some of these trials cost millions of dollars. The death sentence would be okay, in my opinion, if it would only be used in the most extreme of circumstances. The problem with that is, where does it end? With Jeffrey Dahmer? or Saddam? or is it conceivable that anyone who murders anyone for any reason should be executed? At the expense of millions of $?

Answer 9

For.Nobody got the penalty for doing nothing wrong.

Answer 10

i am for becasue most of the people who are sentenced to the death penalty are very bad people who desever to die..they have killed and hurt way too many ppl..