Yes
I do.
No
I don’t.
Capital punishment has been one of America’s most controversial criminal justice issues for generations, and President Donald Trump and Republicans have helped put the issue back at the center of the national conversation.
Supporters of the death penalty generally argue that society should reserve its strongest punishment for the most horrific crimes. They believe individuals convicted of especially serious murders or other qualifying offenses should potentially face execution when permitted by law.
For many supporters, the debate centers on justice for victims and their families. They argue that certain crimes are so severe that life imprisonment does not provide an adequate punishment.
Some supporters also believe capital punishment can serve as a deterrent, although the extent to which it deters violent crime has long been debated.
Opponents raise a different set of concerns. They point to the possibility of wrongful convictions and argue that an irreversible punishment requires an extraordinarily high standard of certainty. Others oppose capital punishment for moral, religious, financial or constitutional reasons.
There is also an ongoing debate over whether the government should focus on life imprisonment without the possibility of parole rather than executions.
Trump has generally taken a tough approach to violent crime, while Republicans have frequently emphasized law and order, support for police and stronger consequences for serious offenders. Renewed attention on capital punishment fits into a broader national discussion about how the justice system should deal with America’s most dangerous criminals.
But this is an issue where Americans can hold strong opinions regardless of their political affiliation.
Some conservatives oppose the death penalty, while some independents and Democrats support it under certain circumstances. The question ultimately involves deeply held views about justice, punishment, government authority and the value of human life.
We want to know where you stand.