Do you believe in the death penalty?

Question

Why or why not?

Answer 1

Yes I do...because if theyve done something that bad, they dont deserve to live and we shouldnt have to (as tax payers) support them in jail.*

Answer 2

No I don't. You don't have to condone brutal crimes or want the criminals who commit them avoid a harsh punishment to ask whether the death penalty prevents or even reduces crime and whether it risks killing innocent people. (Sources 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 and can’t guarantee we won’t execute 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, mostly because of the legal process. When the death penalty is a possible sentence, extra costs mount up even before trial, continuing through the uniquely complicated trial (actually 2 separate trials, one to decide guilt and the second to decide the punishment) in death penalty cases, and appeals.

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.

Answer 3

Believe in it? Or agree with it...

At times I would agree with the concept of the death penalty, however as I get older I am learning that I wouldn't like to be the person to send them to that doom. It's such a precarious situation... I think the evidence should be beyond conclusive, and the punishment should be applied to those who are unrepentant.

Answer 4

Yes I believe in the death penalty Because if you look at those that have life sentences they are getting fat on our taxes. Look at Bin Ladin, see how much healthier he looks now than when they first captured him.

But then again,
Susan S does have very good information though. And I liked her research.
Good job Sue.

Answer 5

yes i believe in the death penalty

Answer 6

No. But a life sentence would be a cell that you never leave and no contact with the outside world or any other people. In other words, a living death.

Answer 7

Yes, because some types of people (child molesters etc.) just don't deserve to be alive. I don't believe that it should take so long for them to be put to death either. I wish they would bring back the courthouse hangings you didn't see this much crime back then.

Answer 8

Yeah. It may be wrong but we can't risk them breaking out of jail and causing more deaths. One death will prevent so many more.

Answer 9

Yes I do and I never get picked for jury duty

you take a life--you should not have yours

Answer 10

YES

For certain crimes - Paedophilia, multiple murder, multiple rape etc etc

BUT - There has to be 100% certainty of guilt before execution