Should the family of the crime be allowed to decide the punishment of those who commit the crimes?

Answer 1

many people believe that family of a crime..or victims need to be allowed to decide on punishment but unfortunately offenders just like everyone else in society is is protected by the constitution and our amendments. that those who commit a crime has the right for a trial of our peers. and tough so a jury needs to decide on the punishment

but its important to remember that victims and families of victims could write victim impact statements which basically are letters that you can read to the offender andf the judge and the jury and these statements can help with the decisions on punshiment...

Answer 2

No. There are 4 ideas behind punishing criminals: deterrent, incarceration, rehabilitation and retribution. Retribution is the controversial one because, in the U.S., punishment is meant to reasonably fit the crime committed. If an emotional family was given the choice, a lot of criminals would be put to death for crimes that did not deserve such a harsh penalty, among other scenarios. Additionally, every study done in the past fifty years that looked at the families of victims and the execution of the offender has shown that the death of the offender typically does nothing to help the family members with their grieving process and may actually cause harm.

Answer 3

Yes. Bad people who hurt people deserve whatever comes to them.

Answer 4

No because that would not be fair. That's revenge, and it's not justice. Part of the Bill of Rights say we as American citizens have the right to a jury of peers.

Answer 5

No. Because then it becomes revenge, and not an even-handed meting out of justice.

Answer 6

they shouldn't be allowed! because they are too emotionaly involved and they would just want to get revenge

Answer 7

No. The criminal offense is between the accused and the state. The victims and/or their relatives have no standing how the case should be prosecuted and punished.