Gallup poll data results released in recent months showed that support for the death penalty in the U.S. has reached its lowest point since 1972. The poll results were discussed in Reuters article featured in Yahoo News. According to the article, support for death penalty was at 57% in 1972 and it grew until it reached its peak of 80% in 1994. Now, support has dropped to 60%.
Gallup found that the most significant drop in support came from Democrats, with their support sinking from 75% in 1994 to 47% at the time of the recent poll. In Gallup's analysis of the poll results, it noted that the overall decrease in support may be linked to the fact that a number of states have put laws in place that ban capital punishment. This trend started occurring around the year 2000 as multiple inmates slated for death row were later found to be innocent. Maryland issued such a law this year, making it one of six states since 2006 to repeal the death penalty, according to Yahoo News. The poll, which was conducted between Oct. 3 and Oct. 6, surveyed 1,028 people via telephone. The poll participants were located in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
It is important for individuals to remember that the United States' criminal justice system is not perfect, and it does sometimes issue wrongful convictions. There are cases in which people are sentenced to death when they are not even guilty of the crimes they are being charged with. Considering this fact, it is vital that you obtain a highly skilled attorney if you are facing charges in a death penalty case. At Taylor & Waldrop Attorneys, we have a St. Augustine criminal defense attorney who is qualified to provide defense in these types of matters. Attorney Clyde M. Taylor, Jr. is one of the few lawyers in the state of Florida who has been approved to represent defendants in death penalty trials, as well as in death row inmate appeals and post-conviction motions. Don't hesitate to contact us if you are dealing with such a case in the St. Augustine area!