Madeline
Rookie
- Banned
- #1
IMO, those who support the death penalty do so because, justifiably, they feel some crimes are so beyond the pale as to surpass any other possible punishment. But still, IMO, appeasing emotion is not a good enough reason to impose this punishment. Here are a few reasons I oppose it:
1. Death penalty cases are inevitably appealed. The delay in carrying out the sentence as well as the various court proceedings keep the victim's family involved in the process, re-hearing the atrocious facts, for years.....often more than a decade.
2. There are too many cases in which a prisoner's innocence is in doubt.
3. Death penalty sentences are far, far more expensive for the state (or feds) to carry out than LWOP.
4. In some states, the budget for adequate counsel at trial and after conviction to defend death-qualified defendants is so abysmal, there can hardly be a patina of justice.
5. Death penalty appeals tie up valuable court time. In Florida in the late 1990's, over one half of all Supreme Court cases and decisions dealt with death penalty cases. Not criminal cases...just death penalty.
6. The US is nearly alone in civilized countries in imposing this sentence. Our need to punish surely is no greater than most of the world's....the death penalty is not necessary.
1. Death penalty cases are inevitably appealed. The delay in carrying out the sentence as well as the various court proceedings keep the victim's family involved in the process, re-hearing the atrocious facts, for years.....often more than a decade.
2. There are too many cases in which a prisoner's innocence is in doubt.
3. Death penalty sentences are far, far more expensive for the state (or feds) to carry out than LWOP.
4. In some states, the budget for adequate counsel at trial and after conviction to defend death-qualified defendants is so abysmal, there can hardly be a patina of justice.
5. Death penalty appeals tie up valuable court time. In Florida in the late 1990's, over one half of all Supreme Court cases and decisions dealt with death penalty cases. Not criminal cases...just death penalty.
6. The US is nearly alone in civilized countries in imposing this sentence. Our need to punish surely is no greater than most of the world's....the death penalty is not necessary.