What are opinions on whether capital punishment is appropriate for certain crimes?

Opinions on Death Sentences

• The death sentence is among the most expensive methods of justice that has been implemented in the U.S. By the time the courts go through all of the appeals and special hearings associated with execution along with all of the preparations for the actual execution, just locking the guy up for life would be less expensive.

• But what about the victims? Many times a victim of a violent crime, perhaps as the only survivor of an incredibly hideous mass murder, fears that the offender will return to murder them too. There are often nightmares, anxiety, depression and any number of other emotional problems that victims experience when they fear that the offender may escape. Then there is the fact that so many people place their faith in the justice system instead of seeking a little justice themselves. There are fathers, brothers, sons and uncles who feel a need to seek vengeance for the untimely death of a loved one, but refrain because they believe that "the system" will be able to mete out proper punishment. Without the belief that justice will be served, many of these people would act differently. We are entitled to catharsis when we experience that kind of loss. Even people who have nothing to do with the family may experience a feeling of justice and relief when an offender is executed.

• No. It is not a deterrant. It does away with the person but not the problem. Since 1973, 123 death row inmates have been released because they were found to be innocent of the crime for which they were convicted. Is it fair to execute an innocent person? Is it fair for the taxpayers to have to shell out millions of dollars for such appeals? (In California alone it costs $114 million a year). A death row inmate spends an average of 15 years before being executed usually much longer, while the surviving family members get dragged through the media and relive the horrors each time an appeal is made.

• Optimally, a swift death sentence would go with every violent crime for which the victim would have been authorized to use deadly force in self-defense but was somehow unable to do so. It works pretty well in some countries where they still execute convicts in the square.

First answer by Redbeard. Last edit by Wutzyerproblem. Contributor trust: 356 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 51 [recommend question]

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