The Associated Press: on Crime

Elizabeth Warren: Criminal justice system is racist front to back

While speaking at a historically black college, the Massachusetts senator identified some of the system's failures: disproportionate arrests of African-Americans for petty drug possession; an overloaded public defender system; and state laws that keep convicted felons from voting even after their sentences are complete.

Warren was participating in a Q&A session hosted by Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Cedric Richmond at Dillard University in New Orleans. She was among several possible Democratic White House contenders who spoke at Netroots Nation, an annual conference for progressives.

Other than on criminal justice, Warren did not focus her answers on race, offering her usual creed about bending public policy back toward working-class Americans. She called for support for unions, massive investments in infrastructure and more spending on education.

Jim Abeler: Major overhaul needed for sex offender laws

Of the 698 people now enrolled [as juveniles], 52 have never been convicted of an adult crime. "No person should be civilly committed based solely on behavior that occurred while that person was a juvenile," the report said. If the Legislature fails to fix the program it risk having it dismantled by a federal judge. Gov. Mark Dayton has halted the provisional release of offenders until the Legislature has a chance to act.

Rep. Jim Abeler, a Republican who also served on the task force, said those who believe changes are necessary--he counted himself in that group--might have to push forward even if it's divisive. "If we can't reach a truce, that doesn't mean the problem then goes away," Abeler said.

David Dewhurst: Death is appropriate punishment for repeat child molesters

Al Sharpton: Opposed to death penalty under any circumstances

A: Unilaterally opposed and unequivocally under any circumstances.

Dennis Kucinich: Ban the death penalty-98% of those convicted are poor

A: I oppose the death penalty and would ban it. Ninety-eight percent of defendants sentenced to death have been people who could not afford their own attorneys. One death row inmate is found innocent for every seven executed. African-American defendants are more likely to receive death sentences than others who committed similar crimes. And the death penalty does nothing to deter crime that can’t be accomplished at least as well without it.

Howard Dean: Death penalty for extreme crimes, but applied fairly

A: I believe the death penalty should be available for extreme and heinous crimes, such as terrorism or the killing of police officers or young children. But it must be carried out with scrupulous fairness.

John Edwards: Death penalty for heinous crimes, but applied fairly

A: I believe the death penalty is the most fitting punishment for the most heinous crimes, and I support it. But we need reforms in the death penalty to ensure that defendants receive fair trials, with zealous and competent lawyers, and with full access to DNA testing.

John Kerry: Moratorium on federal executions-only exception is terrorism

A: I oppose the death penalty other than in cases of real international and domestic terrorism. We know we have put innocent people to death; 111 innocent people have already been released from death row. As president, I’ll enforce the law but I’ll also have a national moratorium on federal executions until we use DNA evidence to make sure those on death row are guilty.

Joseph Lieberman: Death penalty for egregious crimes, but applied fairly

A: I have long supported the death penalty for the most egregious crimes and terrorists, and I still do. I also believe that the death penalty must be applied fairly. That means we must ensure that people accused of capital crimes and subject to the death penalty have adequate legal protections, including the right to DNA testing and first-rate legal counsel.

Wesley Clark: Death penalty for heinous crimes, but apply with safeguards

A: I believe the death penalty should be available for the most heinous crimes. At the same time, I am concerned about reports of mistakes on death row, and errors and unfairness in our criminal justice system. ... If we are to carry out the ultimate penalty, it must be with the ultimate safeguards.

Al Gore: Use DNA techniques to make death penalty more fair

George W. Bush: 134 Texas executions are “fair and just”

Orrin Hatch: 10-20-Life plan: harsh penalties for gun use