Crime and Punishment Weekly Polls 2008

In the case of Atlanta Courthouse Killer Brian Nichols the Fulton County Commission voted to spend $125,000 to help in his defense by paying for a psychiatric evaluation. However, Nichols' defense team, which has already spent $1.5 million, said the $125,000 for the psychological evaluation still does not solve the financial problems.

Poll: Should there be a limit to how much taxpayers have to pay for the defense of an indigent defendant facing the death penalty?

1) Yes, there should be a reasonable limit.
2) No, the defendent should have the same defense as anyone else.
3) It should be decided on a case-by-case basis.

See Also:
County to Help Fund Brian Nichols' Defense

In response to the Megan Meier tragedy, MySpace has announced new safety guidelines to protect kids who use the service from adult predators. Details on how they plan to actually carry out the improvements are still vague.

Poll: At what age should children be allowed to have a MySpace or Facebook page?

1) Before Age 13
2) Age 13
3) Age 16
4) Age 18
5) It Depends on the Child

See Also:
MySpace to Launch New Safety Effort

Meredith Emerson was alive for three days after she disappeared from a Georgia hiking trail New Year's Day before she died from a blow to the head and was later decapitated. The man accused of her death led authorities to her body in exchange for not facing the death penalty.

Poll: Should prosecutors offer to take the death penalty off the table in order to locate the bodies of victims?

1) Yes.
2) No.
3) It depends on the case.

See Also:
Hiker Was Alive 3 Days Before Beaten to Death

There are so many different facets in the world of crime. Tell us which crime topics you find the most interesting and like to read about.
Multiple Choice Poll: Cast Your Vote

All effective law enforcement programs require the concern and active participation and cooperation of the citizenry to succeed. No matter how well organized, equipped, energetic, or highly motivated a law enforcement agency may be, it can not function effectively in its fight against crime without the cooperation and involvement of its community. Without this cooperation and involvement, any crime prevention or crime reduction program is doomed to failure," according to Nashville Crime Stoppers.

Poll: Have you ever reported a crime tip to law enforcement?

1) Yes, one time.
2) Yes, more than once.
3) No, but I have had a tip I could have reported.
4) No, I've never had anything to report.
5) No, I would never be a snitch.

The toddler the nation came to know as "Baby Grace" after her body washed up in Galveston Bay in a plastic storage bin was tortured and beaten to death by her mother, Kimberly Dawn Trenor and her husband, Royce Clyde Zeigler II, according to court records.

Poll: If Trenor and Zeigler are found guilty of the torture and capital murder of Riley Ann Sawyers (Baby Grace) what do you feel the sentence should be?

1) The death penalty for both.
2) Death for the stepfather. Life without parole for the mother.
3) Death for the mother. Life without parole for the stepfather.
4) Life without parole for both.
5) It depends on who is found guilty of directly causing the child's death.

See Also:
The 'Baby Grace' Case

On December 4, 2007, former Tampa teacher Debra Lafave, 27, was arrested for probation violation for talking about non-work related topics including family problems, friends, high school, personal life, boyfriend issues, and sexual issues with a 17-year-old female coworker.

Described as a model employee by her employer and a clean probation record for two years, Lafave was eligible to have her final year of house-arrest commuted to probation on the same day of her arrest.

In 2005, Lafave pleaded guilty to two counts of lewd and lascivious behavior with a 14-year-old male student. Poll: Do you think Lafave should have been arrested for talking about non-work issues with the coworker?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Undecided

It seems every week there is another report of a child being sexually assaulted. But what happens to the pedophiles? If you could sentence a pedophile, how would you vote?

For this example, the victim is an eight year old boy who was raped repeatedly by his 30-year-old uncle.

Poll: What Sentence Would You Give the Uncle?

1) He should be senctenced to life in prison.
2) He should receive mental health treatment, not go to prison.
3) He should have the option to be castrated instead of a prison sentence.
4) He should be forced to be chemically castrated if released from prison.
5) I disagree with all of the above.

In order for anyone accused of a crime to stand trial, they must be able to help in their defense. For the mentally ill, this can be impossible. However, by taking medications some people can become competent enough to stand trial. The case of Brian David Mitchell, the accused kidnapper of Elizabeth Smart, is a good example of the challenges which the court system faces when dealing with someone viewed as too incompetent to stand trial.

Poll: Should Criminals Be Forced To Take Medications In Order To Make Them Competent To Stand Trial?

1) Yes. Everything possible should be done to insure that justice is done.

2) No. If they are incompetent, they should be hospitalized, not sent to prison.

3) It depends on the drug.

According to the latest statistics gathered by the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), a Washington, D.C.-based organization of police chiefs, sheriffs, and other state and local law enforcement leaders, violent crime increased in 2006, and many cities experienced double-digit or even triple-digit percentage increases in homicides and other violence.

Poll: How likely do you believe you or a family member could become a victim of a violent crime?

1) Very likely
2) About 50/50
3) 20 percent or less
4) I don't think about it

See Also:
Violent Crime in America: The Lull Ends
Crime Prevention and Safety