Discussion 6 - Capital Punishment statutes authorize

Discussion 6 612

Capital Punishment statutes authorize the execution of defendants properly convicted of specific offenses.  The Supreme Court temporarily suspended capital punishment in the U.S. between the Furman v. Georgia and Gregg v. Georgia cases during which the current bifurcated trial system was emplaced thus satisfying the Court's concerns.  How would you reform the capital system today?  Should it be limited to the most heinous offenses?  Should there be measures to bring the cases to closure more quickly (the average case takes approximately 15 years)?  Critics raise significant concerns of racial and socioeconomic disparity.  What about the treatment of death row inmates pending their years of appeal?  Address these and any related issues you choose.