The death penalty has been part of the American justice system since the founding of the country [1]. Most people view the death penalty as the fairest way to punish those who have killed, because, in the words of Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart, "the instinct for vengeance is part of the nature of justice." man ". I recognize that the administration of justice is an important factor in all public policy. However, it is also important to consider the more pragmatic aspects, such as the cost to the state. It is possible that the financial cost is outweighed by the societal benefits. However, when researching the death penalty, one would discover that the cost of capital punishment is unreasonably high, particularly in the state of California, especially considering the rarity of the death penalty. In times like these, characterized by economic turmoil and limited financial resources, the state cannot afford such an expensive and rarely used system. I believe that in the State of California the death penalty is too costly and so rarely used that it should be abolished. The most expensive part of the capital punishment process is the initial and preliminary trials [2]. During this phase, the person accused of murder is found guilty or innocent. It is also during this phase that they choose whether or not to sentence this person to death. According to statistics from the Death Penalty Information Center, capital trials (cases that could result in the death penalty) cost about $1 million more than a non-capital trial. In other words, the amount of money needed to sentence someone to death could finance 8 years of study at Harvard University. Attribute c...... middle of paper...... fair administration of justice, abolition of the death penalty would save the state $125.5 million per year [15]. This money could be used for social programs that would help deter young people from becoming involved in crime or drugs. This money could also be spent to improve the public school system, the public transit system, and other similar basic government services. Or we could follow in New Jersey's footsteps and use the money as restitution to the murder victims' families.[16] The possibilities are endless. Despite ample evidence that California's capital punishment system does not work, when abolition of the death penalty was on the ballot, our state voted to retain it.[17] Although this disappointed opponents of the death penalty, they did not abandon their cause[18]. Maybe in the next election the death penalty will be abolished. Only time will tell.