Crime and Punishment Weekly Polls 2008
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Several high-school girls, some under the age of 16, could be involved in a "pregnancy pact" in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The possible pregnancy pact theory came after school officials investigated an increase in students becoming pregnant and also getting pregnancy tests, sometimes multiple times, at the school clinic.
The men involved in the pregnancies include boys from the high school and older men in their mid-20s.
It is a crime to have sex with anyone under the age of 16 under Massachusetts law.
Poll: Should the males be charged with statutory rape?
Former Charles Manson follower, Susan Atkins, 60, is expected to live less than six months due to a terminal illness, and wants "compassionate release" from prison to live freely in her last days. Atkins is one of the three Manson Family women responsible for the 1969 brutal slayings of seven people, including actress Sharon Tate.
Poll: Should Susan Atkins be given compassionate release from prison?
Profile of Susan Atkins
Pictures of the Manson Family
In an effort to reduce auto theft, many police departments utilize decoy cars, or bait cars, which are equipped with cameras and tracking equipment. The program is supposed to deter would-be car thieves because the programs are widely publicized.
Poll: Is the practice of using "bait cars" to catch car thieves a deterrent to crime or is it entrapment?
In many cases, hate may be seen or perceived to be the motivation for a crime, but criminals may not be charged with a hate crime for a variety of reasons — many of the same reasons that the debate on hate-crime laws continues in this country.
Other major questions in the debate includes the question for this week's poll:
Is it possible to determine without a doubt the motive behind a person's criminal acts?
Two 26-year-old mothers were at a bar when their house burned down, resulting in the death of five of their children. The women pleaded no contest and received a prison sentence of one to two years and five years' probation.
The women told police that the children were under a babysitter's care, but a police investigation determined two eight-year-old boys were left in charge. The fire began as a result of the children playing with matches.
Poll: Does the sentence match the crime?
An Ohio man who was ordered by a juvenile court judge to make sure that his daughter passed her GED exam has been sentenced to six months in jail because his 18-year-old daugher and the mother of an 18-month-old child, has yet to pass the test.
Poll: Is the judge's sentence fair?
Girl Fails GED, Dad Sent to Jail
So many convictions have been overturned when DNA evidence later exonerated defendants one district attorney says prosecutors who intentionally withhold evidence from the defense should face criminal charges or other sanctions.
Poll: Should prosecutors who intentionally withhold evidence from the defense face criminal charges?
DA: Withholding Evidence Is a Crime
Deborah Jean Palfrey, also know as the D.C. Madam, was found dead in a shed by her mother's house in Florida. According to police, she committed suicide by hanging. Palfrey was facing sentencing on July 24, after being found guilty of running a prostitution service and convicted of money laundering, using the mail for illegal purposes and racketeering. Police say suicide letters were found, but would not disclose the content of the letters.
Poll: Was the government too aggressive in its prosecution of Palfrey?
Federal Jury Convicts 'D.C. Madam'
Movie actor Wesley Snipes was sentenced to 36 months in prison for not paying his taxes. Some speaking on his behalf said Snipes was being targeted because he was famous, but other observers said the actor was targeted simply because he owes probably $38 million in back taxes.
Do you think the Wesley Snipes sentence was fair?
Sending a Message - Wesley Snipes Gets 3 Years
The U.S. Supreme Court that ruled in 1977 that states cannot execute someone for the rape of an adult will now decide if the death penalty for those convicted of child rape is constitutional.
Should jurors be allowed to vote for the death penalty for child rapists?
Court to Hear Death Penalty for Child Rape Case
6/20/08 Crime Poll: Is It Statutory Rape?
Several high-school girls, some under the age of 16, could be involved in a "pregnancy pact" in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The possible pregnancy pact theory came after school officials investigated an increase in students becoming pregnant and also getting pregnancy tests, sometimes multiple times, at the school clinic.
The men involved in the pregnancies include boys from the high school and older men in their mid-20s.
It is a crime to have sex with anyone under the age of 16 under Massachusetts law.
Poll: Should the males be charged with statutory rape?
6/14/08 Crime Poll: Atkins Seeks Compassionate Release
Former Charles Manson follower, Susan Atkins, 60, is expected to live less than six months due to a terminal illness, and wants "compassionate release" from prison to live freely in her last days. Atkins is one of the three Manson Family women responsible for the 1969 brutal slayings of seven people, including actress Sharon Tate.
Poll: Should Susan Atkins be given compassionate release from prison?
- 1) Yes. She has spent 37 years in prison for her crimes.
2) No. She was a brutal murderer and should die in jail.
3) Undecided
Profile of Susan Atkins
Pictures of the Manson Family
6/07/08 Crime Poll: Are "Bait Cars" a Crime Deterrent?
In an effort to reduce auto theft, many police departments utilize decoy cars, or bait cars, which are equipped with cameras and tracking equipment. The program is supposed to deter would-be car thieves because the programs are widely publicized.
Poll: Is the practice of using "bait cars" to catch car thieves a deterrent to crime or is it entrapment?
- 1) Deterrent
2) Entrapment
3) Undecided
5/31/08 Crime Poll: The Hate Crime Debate
In many cases, hate may be seen or perceived to be the motivation for a crime, but criminals may not be charged with a hate crime for a variety of reasons — many of the same reasons that the debate on hate-crime laws continues in this country.
Other major questions in the debate includes the question for this week's poll:
Is it possible to determine without a doubt the motive behind a person's criminal acts?
5/24/08 Crime Poll: Does the Sentence Match the Crime?
Two 26-year-old mothers were at a bar when their house burned down, resulting in the death of five of their children. The women pleaded no contest and received a prison sentence of one to two years and five years' probation.
The women told police that the children were under a babysitter's care, but a police investigation determined two eight-year-old boys were left in charge. The fire began as a result of the children playing with matches.
Poll: Does the sentence match the crime?
5/16/08 Crime Poll: Should This Dad Go To Jail?
An Ohio man who was ordered by a juvenile court judge to make sure that his daughter passed her GED exam has been sentenced to six months in jail because his 18-year-old daugher and the mother of an 18-month-old child, has yet to pass the test.
Poll: Is the judge's sentence fair?
- 1) Yes. The father should have raised his daughter better.
2) No. He did everything he could.
3) Undecided.
Girl Fails GED, Dad Sent to Jail
5/09/08 Crime Poll: Should Bad Prosecutors be Convicted?
So many convictions have been overturned when DNA evidence later exonerated defendants one district attorney says prosecutors who intentionally withhold evidence from the defense should face criminal charges or other sanctions.
Poll: Should prosecutors who intentionally withhold evidence from the defense face criminal charges?
- 1) Yes. Withholding evidence undermines our judicial system.
2) Yes. They should get the same sentence as the defendant.
3) No. Too many guilty criminals get off on technicalities.
4) No. They should be disbarred.
5) It depends on the case.
DA: Withholding Evidence Is a Crime
5/02/08 Crime Poll: D.C. Madam Commits Suicide
Deborah Jean Palfrey, also know as the D.C. Madam, was found dead in a shed by her mother's house in Florida. According to police, she committed suicide by hanging. Palfrey was facing sentencing on July 24, after being found guilty of running a prostitution service and convicted of money laundering, using the mail for illegal purposes and racketeering. Police say suicide letters were found, but would not disclose the content of the letters.
Poll: Was the government too aggressive in its prosecution of Palfrey?
- 1) Yes, after all, prostitution is a misdemeanor.
2) No, they were doing their jobs.
3) Yes, the investigation was politically motivated.
4) Undecided
Federal Jury Convicts 'D.C. Madam'
4/26/08 Crime Poll: Was the Wesley Snipes Sentence Fair?
Movie actor Wesley Snipes was sentenced to 36 months in prison for not paying his taxes. Some speaking on his behalf said Snipes was being targeted because he was famous, but other observers said the actor was targeted simply because he owes probably $38 million in back taxes.
Do you think the Wesley Snipes sentence was fair?
- 1) Yes. He owed millions in taxes and refused to pay.
2) No. He should have been found guilty of tax fraud too.
3) No, if he was not famous he would have gotten probation.
4) Undecided
Sending a Message - Wesley Snipes Gets 3 Years
4/19/08 Crime Poll: Death Penalty for Child Rapist
The U.S. Supreme Court that ruled in 1977 that states cannot execute someone for the rape of an adult will now decide if the death penalty for those convicted of child rape is constitutional.
Should jurors be allowed to vote for the death penalty for child rapists?
- 1) Yes, it will send a strong message to child rapists.
2) Yes, but it should apply to serial child rapists only.
3) No, it could put the victims in more danger of being murdered.
4) No, there have been too many false accusations.
Court to Hear Death Penalty for Child Rape Case
