Should children be legally responsible for their actions?

[Gigabitch]

I am not in favour of the death penalty. After all the judicial system isn't perfect. There are numerous cases of wrong charges.

But are you in favor of it conceptually? In practice, it's a hot mess, but do you have any moral objection to putting certain criminals to death?

[lastwish]

Conceptually, as in an "eye for an eye" in murder cases, yes.

[IndiReloaded]

I did two 4-month internships at a facility for the criminally insane (one of the scariest experiences of my life to date). There is NO going back for those murderers, as Giga said. They do not rehab.

Most ppl who are apologists regarding putting violent criminals to death do not speak from a place of experience, only theory. I think everyone should be allowed to see firsthand the horrific effects of these rabid animals and then decide their values on the matter. The only ones who would still be against the death penalty (or at least a chemical lobotomy) would be those making a religious-based decision, not one based on rational facts.

[doppelgaenger]

^^ can you find info on the internetz?

[Charlie Boy II]

I did two 4-month internships at a facility for the criminally insane (one of the scariest experiences of my life to date). There is NO going back for those murderers, as Giga said. They do not rehab.

Most ppl who are apologists regarding putting violent criminals to death do not speak from a place of experience, only theory. I think everyone should be allowed to see firsthand the horrific effects of these rabid animals and then decide their values on the matter. The only ones who would still be against the death penalty (or at least a chemical lobotomy) would be those making a religious-based decision, not one based on rational facts.

I am against the death penalty on principle because I think it degrades the dignity of the society itself, rather than out of sympathy for the criminals themselves. Just because an "eye for an eye" is satisfying on some instinctive desire for revenge, that does not mean it is conducive to a stable society.

Perhaps it is also a cultural difference. We have not had the death penalty for decades. To me it seems barbaric and alien to a developed society, not really any different to public whipping for more minor offences.

I am also against the death penalty in practice because:

a) it does not deter criminals or have any impact on crime
b) the justice system is far from infallible, innocent people would be executed.
c) the mentaly unsound, poor, and society's cast-offs are the ones that end up being put to death.
d) the appeals process inevitably strings out for decades, it costs the state a fortune and in the end an old man goes to the gallows.

[doppelgaenger]

Haha, I think we should have penal colonies.... in Australia.

[qwertz]

The only way i would be in favour of the death penalty, would be for those that commit the worst crimes and it could be proven without doubt, but I have very little faith in the justice system especially in this country, so as much as i wish those people dead, I wouldnt actually like to see it return.

[Incognito]

I am against the death penalty on principle because I think it degrades the dignity of the society itself, rather than out of sympathy for the criminals themselves. Just because an "eye for an eye" is satisfying on some instinctive desire for revenge, that does not mean it is conducive to a stable society.

Perhaps it is also a cultural difference. We have not had the death penalty for decades. To me it seems barbaric and alien to a developed society, not really any different to public whipping for more minor offences.

I am also against the death penalty in practice because:

a) it does not deter criminals or have any impact on crime
b) the justice system is far from infallible, innocent people would be executed.
c) the mentaly unsound, poor, and society's cast-offs are the ones that end up being put to death.
d) the appeals process inevitably strings out for decades, it costs the state a fortune and in the end an old man goes to the gallows.

a= It does impact crime if the scumbags who committed the crimes are no longer around to commit crimes and their deaths serve as a deterrent for other would be offenders.
b= Although this does happen it is not very often. However all people sentenced to death should be proven guilty with multiple methods, not just someone's testimony.
c= Here in the US I cannot remember the last time I've heard of a mentally unsound person being executed. As far as poor and societal cast off are concerned, well don't rape and kill and you won't be put to death. A cast off or poor person shouldn't be able to use their status as an excuse to not answer for their crimes.
d= This I agree with, but if the appeals process was cut down to say 2 appeals then it would eliminate this. More bodies would be rolling off of the death row assembly line, as they should.

I am against the death penalty on principle because I think it degrades the dignity of the society itself, rather than out of sympathy for the criminals themselves. Just because an "eye for an eye" is satisfying on some instinctive desire for revenge, that does not mean it is conducive to a stable society

I hardly think the death penalty degrades a society. It sends a message that the most heinous of crimes are not tolerated and keeps the general populace a bit safer because of the criminals' fear of death. Also, yes, revenge is satisfying. To deny someone revenge who has had their family member raped, murdered or both degrades society because people will then find other unofficial means of getting their revenge. This is doubly true if the person seeking revenge knows that they themselves won't face the death penalty either. I think that if someone receives a life sentence or a death sentence that you've got two appeals and you're dead. There is no reason that my tax dollars should contribute to housing, educating, or rehabbing people who committed crimes worthy of life in prison or death. There should also be a limit to the time that you have to make the appeals, say three years, before you're put to death.

[Incognito]

I had forgotten what the original topic was, so as far as children go I don't think there should be a general policy, but that each case should be handled individually. That being said the death penalty should not be ruled out since years in juvie, or jail are simply not sufficient punishment (no matter how harsh the environment is) for some crimes.

[IndiReloaded]

a= It does impact crime if the scumbags who committed the crimes are no longer around to commit crimes and their deaths serve as a deterrent for other would be offenders.

This^. But the fact that our judicial system sucks is the real problem with enacting such a thing. I'm all for removing Mary Bells from the gene pool.

I say it again: these people do NOT rehab. Not the mass murdering, cold-blooded murderers. One case I remember was a man who snapped and killed his neighbours completely out of the blue and then finished their steak dinner the family was eating at the time. People like that don't come back. He spent the rest of his life chemically lobotomized in a max security prison for the insane.

While I have no problem with chemicial lobotomy as an alternative to the DP, I do have a problem with them being cooped up all day watching television and participating in organized social activities like The Love Boat. This guy should have been put to work picking up garbage along the highway or making boots for our soldiers in Afghanistan, or something like.

[IndiReloaded]

^^ can you find info on the internetz?

Sorry D, I don't understand your question. Info about what?

[xxazurexx]

Haha, I think we should have penal colonies.... in Australia.

And how dumb were the British back then and when that occured.

The fools should have sent the non offending to Australia and left the offenders in Britain.

God, I might have been soaking up the sun on some sandy beach now, if only they'd done it differently...

[Gribble]

Dead, imprisoned for life, enslaved--it makes no difference, so long as these vile, murderous MONSTERS are kept separate from society. I've mentioned this before, but I use the term monster literally. A child rapist is not human. The moment that vile creature destroyed an innocent life it rescinded its humanity. There is no shame in destroying a monster. There is only shame in letting that monster loose to continue preying on the innocent. If there really is a hell, and if god really isn't a ****tard, I assure you there are a lot of moralists and a lot of "good" people burning right now. You let a killer free, you are responsible for his actions, you share in his future guilt.

As for kids? Case by case. However, 13 year old who murders and rapes is as guilty as a 43 year old.

[Incognito]

While I have no problem with chemicial lobotomy as an alternative to the DP, I do have a problem with them being cooped up all day watching television and participating in organized social activities like The Love Boat. This guy should have been put to work picking up garbage along the highway or making boots for our soldiers in Afghanistan, or something like.

What exactly is "the DP"? I only know one abbreviation that is "DP" and it has nothing to do with a lobotomy . In seriousness though I don't know what you mean. Chemical vs surgical perhaps?

[xxazurexx]

The only way i would be in favour of the death penalty, would be for those that commit the worst crimes and it could be proven without doubt, but I have very little faith in the justice system especially in this country, so as much as i wish those people dead, I wouldnt actually like to see it return.

It was abolished here in the first place and because too many innocents were hanged.

I'm all for a death penalty and would like to see it returned for the 'worst' offenders. A death penalty, serves as a deterrant. Sane people might think twice and before they choose to kill, when they are aware there is a consequence for their actions.

For kids, no. I can't imagine what kind of society it would be, that would execute children under 16 and despite what they did.
I say lock them up for life. Take away the priviledge of their freedom and till they die. Rather than a few years like they did with the Bulger murderers. Think they got out after several years and one of them went on to reoffend...but it was kept hush hush for some reason