Why does the appeals process take so long in death penalty cases?
A. Part of the problem with the delay, particularly in death penalty cases, is the sequential nature of the appeals process. You take one step at a time. And I’ve always felt there are some steps that could be going on at the same time. Q. How does that compare to other criminal cases that are going through the appeals process? A. There’s an interesting twist to this because people say, “It takes so long to execute somebody.” But up until a year or so ago, [convicted murderer] William Heirens [who is serving a life sentence] still had litigation pending challenging his conviction. And he was convicted in 1947. That’s the thing about capital litigation. Eventually, one way or the other, one side prevails. But with life sentences, litigation can go on and on. Q. So, I guess the goal is to reach a balance between carrying out the punishment swiftly and ensuring the defendant’s rights. A. There’s a very fine line that you walk between the goal of swift delivery of justice and the protectio
Related Questions
- How are victims’ rights impacted by the lengthy death penalty process?; and (7) Is life without parole a viable alternative to the death penalty?
- What Role Does Race Play in the Decision to Seek the Death Penalty in Federal Cases?
- Where is information about clemencies granted in death penalty cases available?
