Potential Savings from Abolition of the Death Penalty in North Carolina

Posted: 25 Jan 2010

See all articles by Philip J. Cook

Philip J. Cook

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: Fall 2009

Abstract

Despite the long-term decline in the number of death sentences and the lack of executions, the cost of the death penalty in North Carolina remains high. To document this cost, the empirical analysis here focuses on a recent two-year period, comparing actual costs associated with capital proceedings, with likely costs in the absence of the death penalty. The conclusion: The state would have spent almost $11 million less each year on criminal justice activities (including appeals and imprisonment) if the death penalty had been abolished. Additional criminal justice resources would have been freed up and available to be redirected to other cases.

Suggested Citation

Cook, Philip J., Potential Savings from Abolition of the Death Penalty in North Carolina (Fall 2009). American Law and Economics Review, Vol. 11, Issue 2, pp. 498-529, 2009, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1540383 or http://dx.doi.org/ahp022

Philip J. Cook (Contact Author)

affiliation not provided to SSRN

No Address Available

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