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re: What are your views on the following issues?
Posted on 8/14/14 at 12:33 am to Tornado Alley
Posted on 8/14/14 at 12:33 am to Tornado Alley
quote:
Anybody who has been called for jury duty will tell you that the attorneys vet these people thoroughly for sympathetic reasons.
And this is massive bullshite too.
I'm sorry, have you been through voir dire in a criminal proceeding? If so, please tell me about the automatic strikes opposing counsel may raise at any time based on numerous discriminatory bases.
Also, while we're on that subject, please tell me if it would be malpractice if an attorney did not raise any automatic or voluntary strike based on any discriminatory base.
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Posted on 8/14/14 at 12:37 am to Pavoloco83
After the Gregg case in the 1970's, states were forced to remake laws concerning capital punishment. Now, the death penalty can be sought if one is convicted of murder and there is an "aggravating circumstance" warranting death. Men and women are convicted of the underlying offense of murder every day based solely on circumstantial evidence. This is precisely why there are innocent men on Death Row. Just look at how many people the Innocence Project have gotten released based on a wrongful conviction. So forgive me for not wanting "the land of the free and the home of the brave" emulating Singapore, one of the most autocratic nations on the planet, when it comes to criminal justice and civil liberties. And while it may sound good to trumpet the horn of the lynch mob, were to we to take your approach, hundreds of innocent men would be wrongly executed. It amazes me the cognitive dissonance of many in this country, who complain about the government's inability to run a healthcare system, but think said government is competent to oversee the processes associated with the killing of another human being.
Posted on 8/14/14 at 12:41 am to SCLibertarian
quote:
Do you honestly think 12 random Americans are intelligent or sophisticated enough to determine whether a human being lives or dies? I sure as hell don't
Serving on a couple of juries in Louisiana made me realize how fricked up our CJ system really is.
Posted on 8/14/14 at 12:58 am to RogerTheShrubber
Especially in Lousiana, which does not require unanimity for a criminal conviction. In Johnson v. Louisiana, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Louisiana state court conviction where the verdict was 9-3 in favor of conviction. Are we going to allow someone to be killed where 25% of the jury thought he or she was innocent? I wish everyone in this country spent a week interning with the Public Defender's Office. The inequities in our judicial system would be much more clear to anyone who thinks that innocent men aren't railroaded.
Posted on 8/14/14 at 1:13 am to diddydirtyAubie
Gay Marriage - For
Abortion - For
Gun Control - For some
Marijuana - For
Affirmative Action - Against
Death Penalty - For the most cruel heinous offenders, sure
Obamacare - Against
Abortion - For
Gun Control - For some
Marijuana - For
Affirmative Action - Against
Death Penalty - For the most cruel heinous offenders, sure
Obamacare - Against
Posted on 8/14/14 at 1:16 am to PrivatePublic
quote:
The govt doesn't hand out death sentences. A jury of your peers does.
Ahh, but not in all states! In some, Alabama being one, the judge can override the jury's recommendation for a life/death sentence. Kind of makes me wonder what's even the point of putting the jury through what is surely a difficult discussion and decision if it can just be undermined anyway.
Posted on 8/14/14 at 1:30 am to Tornado Alley
quote:
THAT'S.NOT.HOW.THIS.frickING.WORKS.
We don't hang people in the street anymore. We don't gun them down against concrete walls with judicial permission.
God damnit man. God fricking damnit if you actually believe this.
We're no better than China and Iran if you truly desire this outcome for our most violent criminals.
I get that a principle of criminal law is "the punishment must fit the crime," but whatever happened to "you can judge a nation on how the government treats her citizens?"
Could you actually imagine an America where we hung offenders in the streets? Should we make the violent offenders writhe in pain? Should we play God and control the pain they receive? My god. It's not 1880 anymore. Move on.
God help us if people actually believe the things you just typed.
Sorry, you dont understand how this works.
People get tried in court. they get convicted. If the crime is bad enough they get the death sentence.
Posted on 8/14/14 at 1:32 am to Tornado Alley
quote:
I'm sorry, have you been through voir dire in a criminal proceeding? If so, please tell me about the automatic strikes opposing counsel may raise at any time based on numerous discriminatory bases.
You just made my point. These jurors are not random, which was your original position.
Posted on 8/14/14 at 2:09 am to Pavoloco83
You may be correct in non-death penalty cases, but based on state and federal precedent, jury voir dire in death penalty cases is so heavily in favor of the State it's laughable. If you are opposed to the death penalty, you constitute a for cause strike, which is not subject to a Batson challenge. However, if you are for the death penalty, statements in support of a per se application of the death penalty in murder cases are not sufficient for juror disqualification, based upon the ridiculous notion that if said juror indicates an ability to consider mitigating circumstances upon conviction, no disqualification is required. This double standard is but one reason to oppose to oppose the death penalty.
Posted on 8/14/14 at 5:15 am to diddydirtyAubie
Gay Marriage - For, but don't care.
Abortion - Against
Gun Control - Better background/mental health checks.
Marijuana - Against
Affirmative Action - Against
Death Penalty - Should only be used when we are 10000% sure someone committed an awful crime such as the Aurora Movie Theater Shooting.
Obamacare - Against
Abortion - Against
Gun Control - Better background/mental health checks.
Marijuana - Against
Affirmative Action - Against
Death Penalty - Should only be used when we are 10000% sure someone committed an awful crime such as the Aurora Movie Theater Shooting.
Obamacare - Against
This post was edited on 8/14/14 at 5:17 am
Posted on 8/14/14 at 5:46 am to Old Money
quote:
Death Penalty - Should only be used when we are 10000% sure someone committed an awful crime such as the Aurora Movie Theater Shooting.
See, I would go the step further. If you are a drug lord and may have been party to thousands and thousands of OD's you get the death penalty. Even if you do not go that route then a lifetime of solitary and hard labor should be the punishment. I am not advocating torture or such but just a long and grinding penalty time.
If you know you - as a underworld boss - can have a long bleak life you will think twice about entering that life. Course I think Wall Street crooks should get a similar fate instead of home incarceration or Club Fed.
Posted on 8/14/14 at 6:03 am to diddydirtyAubie
Gay Marriage - don't care
Abortion - adamantly against
Gun Control - against
Marijuana - don't care
Affirmative Action - don't care
Death Penalty - support
Obamacare - oppose
Abortion - adamantly against
Gun Control - against
Marijuana - don't care
Affirmative Action - don't care
Death Penalty - support
Obamacare - oppose
Posted on 8/14/14 at 2:54 pm to diddydirtyAubie
Gay Marriage - For
Abortion - Against
Gun Control - against
Marijuana - For
Affirmative Action - Against
Death Penalty - For
Obamacare - Against
Abortion - Against
Gun Control - against
Marijuana - For
Affirmative Action - Against
Death Penalty - For
Obamacare - Against
Posted on 8/14/14 at 3:01 pm to diddydirtyAubie
Gay marriage - For
Abortion - Against
Gun Control - Too complex to say either way.
Marijuana - For
Affirmative Action - For
Death Penalty - Against
Obamacare - For
Abortion - Against
Gun Control - Too complex to say either way.
Marijuana - For
Affirmative Action - For
Death Penalty - Against
Obamacare - For
Posted on 8/14/14 at 3:12 pm to diddydirtyAubie
Gay Marriage - For
Abortion - For
Gun Control - For
Marijuana - For
Affirmative Action - For
Death Penalty - Against
Obamacare - For
Abortion - For
Gun Control - For
Marijuana - For
Affirmative Action - For
Death Penalty - Against
Obamacare - For
Posted on 8/14/14 at 4:00 pm to diddydirtyAubie
Gay Marriage - Pro
Abortion - Pro-choice (I'm not for abortion, I don't think anyone is for abortion, but I am for choice).
Gun Control - For *but* only to the extent that it's sensible. I don't have an issue with background checks or even some restrictions related to domestic violence/gun violence etc. HOWEVER, I don't like the fact that in some places and/or with some crimes you can lose this right permanently. For example, a stiff prohibition lasting at minimum a year and scaled upwards depending on the crime where the person must go through the courts when the time expires and show proof that they should be allowed to have their right reinstated is something I like better than current law. Of course, any time spent in jail/prison wouldn't count towards that time period. We need common sense gun control that focuses on making us safer instead of mindless politics - we also don't need guns every-fricking-where.
I believe in redemption.
Marijuana - For. A grown adult should be able to ingest whatever he or she wishes even things worse the weed. We need a policy shift that treats drug abuse, including legal drugs, as a health issue not a criminal one. Stem the flow of drugs like meth and focus on prevention as well - in fact that may be the one drug that should remain absolutely criminal because the danger it presents to everyone (tho now that I think on it there's probably others that should be added to that list). Prosecute the shite out of those who expose kids to any of drugs. However, the laws already cover most crimes considered drug crimes, including things like DWI.
If nothing else, make most drug crimes no worse than a fine and again focus on prevention and treatment. Cut the violent dealers/gangs out of the market (except for meth dealers/producers).
The drug war is a failure - time for something new.
Affirmative Action - Doesn't really exist the way people think it does. I DO believe federal and federally supported organizations should do their best to promote diversity because people have a tendency to hire who they have things in common with - it's a subconscious thing more than a conscious one. Very few these days think "Wimmenz and minorities are stoopid/I dislike Wimmenz and/or minorities", however, more than should still hire because the person like them is easier to connect to or like in the short time frame of the hiring process.
With academia I think those diversity goals should extend to all, including poor underprivileged white students as well as those from unique backgrounds. In a learning environment, different backgrounds add a great deal to the conversation/learning for all students. And yes, I speak as someone who has taught a boatload of college students - diversity adds to things and gives new ideas and differing perspectives and that is extremely important to Higher Ed.
Fun fact: if a white student applies to an HBCU or predominately black university they're eligible for minority/diversity based schollies.
Death Penalty - Against. Even though I emotionally think 'that bastard deserves it' and if it happened to me or mine I'd be ready to kill, we frick it up too often and it does nothing to deter murder. And our justice system is not about revenge nor should it ever be about revenge. Life in prison takes care of protecting society which is what our criminal justice system is really all about. There's a reason cases are called "The People vs. X." Cases are prosecuted because criminals pose a threat to society. They're not prosecuted for revenge.
Obamacare - Mixed. We can and should do better. If I had my druthers the law wouldn't resemble the Affordable Care Act which is a compromise that just doesn't get the job done the way it should.
Abortion - Pro-choice (I'm not for abortion, I don't think anyone is for abortion, but I am for choice).
Gun Control - For *but* only to the extent that it's sensible. I don't have an issue with background checks or even some restrictions related to domestic violence/gun violence etc. HOWEVER, I don't like the fact that in some places and/or with some crimes you can lose this right permanently. For example, a stiff prohibition lasting at minimum a year and scaled upwards depending on the crime where the person must go through the courts when the time expires and show proof that they should be allowed to have their right reinstated is something I like better than current law. Of course, any time spent in jail/prison wouldn't count towards that time period. We need common sense gun control that focuses on making us safer instead of mindless politics - we also don't need guns every-fricking-where.
I believe in redemption.
Marijuana - For. A grown adult should be able to ingest whatever he or she wishes even things worse the weed. We need a policy shift that treats drug abuse, including legal drugs, as a health issue not a criminal one. Stem the flow of drugs like meth and focus on prevention as well - in fact that may be the one drug that should remain absolutely criminal because the danger it presents to everyone (tho now that I think on it there's probably others that should be added to that list). Prosecute the shite out of those who expose kids to any of drugs. However, the laws already cover most crimes considered drug crimes, including things like DWI.
If nothing else, make most drug crimes no worse than a fine and again focus on prevention and treatment. Cut the violent dealers/gangs out of the market (except for meth dealers/producers).
The drug war is a failure - time for something new.
Affirmative Action - Doesn't really exist the way people think it does. I DO believe federal and federally supported organizations should do their best to promote diversity because people have a tendency to hire who they have things in common with - it's a subconscious thing more than a conscious one. Very few these days think "Wimmenz and minorities are stoopid/I dislike Wimmenz and/or minorities", however, more than should still hire because the person like them is easier to connect to or like in the short time frame of the hiring process.
With academia I think those diversity goals should extend to all, including poor underprivileged white students as well as those from unique backgrounds. In a learning environment, different backgrounds add a great deal to the conversation/learning for all students. And yes, I speak as someone who has taught a boatload of college students - diversity adds to things and gives new ideas and differing perspectives and that is extremely important to Higher Ed.
Fun fact: if a white student applies to an HBCU or predominately black university they're eligible for minority/diversity based schollies.
Death Penalty - Against. Even though I emotionally think 'that bastard deserves it' and if it happened to me or mine I'd be ready to kill, we frick it up too often and it does nothing to deter murder. And our justice system is not about revenge nor should it ever be about revenge. Life in prison takes care of protecting society which is what our criminal justice system is really all about. There's a reason cases are called "The People vs. X." Cases are prosecuted because criminals pose a threat to society. They're not prosecuted for revenge.
Obamacare - Mixed. We can and should do better. If I had my druthers the law wouldn't resemble the Affordable Care Act which is a compromise that just doesn't get the job done the way it should.
Posted on 8/14/14 at 4:06 pm to SCLibertarian
quote:
I wish everyone in this country spent a week interning with the Public Defender's Office. The inequities in our judicial system would be much more clear to anyone who thinks that innocent men aren't railroaded.
I agree with this. It's fricked up and heavily favors those with some form of influence.
Posted on 8/14/14 at 4:21 pm to diddydirtyAubie
quote:
Gay Marriage - Against personally, but not terribly bothered either way.
Abortion - Against. Completely and totally against.
Gun Control - Against, but would have no issue with a reasonable and workable background check system for all sales.
Marijuana - Against, but similar to gay marriage. I think it will turn out to be bad public policy but if the voters want it, so be it.
Affirmative Action - Against.
Death Penalty - For. Wouldn't mind a higher standard of proof, but also would expand to other crimes (serial child molesters for example).
Obamacare - Against.
Posted on 8/14/14 at 4:29 pm to diddydirtyAubie
Gay Marriage - For
Abortion - Against
Gun Control - Against
Marijuana - For
Affirmative Action - Against
Death Penalty - Against
Obamacare - Against
Gubnent needs to mind it's own damn business, same with everyone else
Abortion - Against
Gun Control - Against
Marijuana - For
Affirmative Action - Against
Death Penalty - Against
Obamacare - Against
Gubnent needs to mind it's own damn business, same with everyone else
Posted on 8/14/14 at 4:41 pm to diddydirtyAubie
Gay Marriage - For. Who am I to dictate what defines marriage.
Abortion - For (with limitations)
Gun Control - I'm against further gun control. I'd much rather see us enforce what's already in place.
Marijuana - For
Affirmative Action - As it is today, against. It desperately needs reform.
Death Penalty - For.
Obamacare - Against. I'm for universal healthcare but not as it's been implemented with Obamacare.
Abortion - For (with limitations)
Gun Control - I'm against further gun control. I'd much rather see us enforce what's already in place.
Marijuana - For
Affirmative Action - As it is today, against. It desperately needs reform.
Death Penalty - For.
Obamacare - Against. I'm for universal healthcare but not as it's been implemented with Obamacare.
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