Should government impose Capital Punishment for major cybercrimes??

2016-02-29T06:16:08-05:00

Real Cost of Cyber Crime

Cyber crime is a type of of crime that not only destroys the security system of a country but also its financial system. One supporter of legislation against cyber crime, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), stated, "Our mouse can be just as dangerous as a bullet or a bomb." Cyber attackers should be penalized and punished severely and most cyber crimes have penalties reflecting t

Response by MSgt C Madd made Feb 29 at 2016 6:21 AM

2016-02-29T06:21:21-05:00

Yes, as we go forward the more dependent we become on computers and the more vulnerable all aspects of our government become.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Feb 29 at 2016 6:31 AM

2016-02-29T06:31:40-05:00

I would say that it would depend on extenuating circumstances. If the cyber crime caused directly linked deaths, then I would have to say yes. If just monetary losses, then I would have to say no.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 29 at 2016 6:53 AM

2016-02-29T06:53:30-05:00

Capital Punishment should be reserved for "removing monsters from society permanently."

People who commit crimes so vile that we can never put them back in society and their very existence threatens it.

The issue with lumping cyber crimes into that class is that we must ask ourselves "Will giving the Government (Justice System) this tool benefit society? Can they be trusted to use it correctly?"

As it stands, I have a very hard time justifying access to this tool, even though I believe it should exist. I would be hard pressed to expand its use into non-violent areas.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Feb 29 at 2016 7:10 AM

2016-02-29T07:10:22-05:00

Only if you could make a connection between the cybercrime and the loss of life in the commission of the cybercrime and tie in a first degree murder charge. Normally there is a premeditation component on a murder charge to get the death penalty.

Using your logic, there are many crimes we could start to lump into capital punishment crimes. How about the guy that puts the card skimmer in the credit card machine or the identity thief that wrecks peoples lives? You appear to be in the technology business so your "ox is being gored" on cybercrime, how about the next guys ox that is being gored?

By the way, we put so few people to death these days a death sentence takes 35 years to even carry out. I am sure cyber criminals will be more prone to get leniency than first degree, cold blooded , murderers.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Feb 29 at 2016 9:09 AM

2016-02-29T09:09:12-05:00

I do not think the government is sufficiently competent to justly impose death penalties for any crime.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Feb 29 at 2016 11:49 AM

2016-02-29T11:49:57-05:00

only if you can prove the crime killed someone, otherwise no not at all.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 12:11 PM

2016-02-29T12:11:44-05:00

No,because they should have to rot in prison for what they did not just have a short burst of energy go through their body's and then they are dead.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Feb 29 at 2016 1:48 PM

2016-02-29T13:48:18-05:00

The death penalty should only be used for crimes in which the perpetrator willfully causes the death of a person. If the cyber crime purposely causes or substantially contributes the cause of death of a person, I would be OK with seeking the death penalty and allowing a jury to decide if that punishment fits the crime. Other than that.. No.

Response by Gayane Badalian-Very MD. Ph.D made Mar 1 at 2016 3:47 PM

2016-03-01T15:47:07-05:00

When Population supports cyber criminals!!
This question was posted on a different forum and I got an astonishing comment from a lady in NY!! Here it is..
Judith Knott 2nd
Digital Marketing/Social Media Manager at Patient Advocators

I'm not following the logic. The above article does not describe a scenario where a cyber crime has resulted in loss of life (can you provide one?) Most cyber "criminals" are either interested in hacking for the sake of hacking/accessing a site to prove they can get in, or, more typically, for personal profit/gain (stealing identities, credit card info, and the like). I'm surprised that an MD would support capital punishment, under all but the most heinous of crimes (and even then, it's surprising).