The United States remains in the minority of civilized nations in the world that still uses death as punishment for certain crimes. Many see the penalty as barbaric and against American values. Others see it as an important tool in fighting crime. What's your opinion? Answer the following questions: Yes? No? Why? 1. Is the death penalty constitutional? 2. Is the death penalty racist? 3. Is having the death penalty a deterrent against crime? 4. Does the death penalty bring justice to the victim's family? 5. Most convicted murderers cannot afford a 'top lawyer' (usually a graduate of an ivy-league university, highly paid and very successful lawyers) The 6th Amendment establishes the right to counsel in criminal cases paid by taxpayer money (the state provides them with a low-paid usually ineffective public defenders. Should taxpayer money be used to provide those who face the death penalty the services of a 'top-lawyer'?

The United States remains in the minority of civilized nations in the world that still uses death as punishment for certain crimes. Many see the penalty as barbaric and against American values. Others see it as an important tool in fighting crime. What's your opinion? Answer the following questions: Yes? No? Why? 1. Is the death penalty constitutional? 2. Is the death penalty racist? 3. Is having the death penalty a deterrent against crime? 4. Does the death penalty bring justice to the victim's family? 5. Most convicted murderers cannot afford a 'top lawyer' (usually a graduate of an ivy-league university, highly paid and very successful lawyers) The 6th Amendment establishes the right to counsel in criminal cases paid by taxpayer money (the state provides them with a low-paid usually ineffective public defenders. Should taxpayer money be used to provide those who face the death penalty the services of a 'top-lawyer'?