Last updated on: 8/15/2008 | Author: ProCon.org

Janet Reno, LLB Biography

Title:
Former US Attorney General
Position:
Not Clearly Pro or Con to the question "Should the Death Penalty Be Allowed?"
Reasoning:

“I was personally opposed to the death penalty, and yet I think I have probably asked for the death penalty more than most people in the United States. I had concluded when I was the prosecutor that I would vote against the death penalty if I were in the legislature but that I could ask for it when I was satisfied as to guilt and to the proper application of the penalty.”

“Exit Interview: Janet Reno,” Online NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, PBS, Jan. 18, 2001

“I have inquired for most of my adult life about studies that might show that the death penalty is a deterrent. And I have not seen any research that would substantiate that point.”

“Weekly Media Availability with Attorney General Janet Reno,” US Justice Department press release, Jan. 20, 2000
Theoretical Expertise Ranking:
    Experts
Individuals with MDs, JDs, PhDs, or equivalent advanced degrees in fields relevant to death penalty issues. Also top-level government officials (such as foreign leaders, US presidents, Founding Fathers, Supreme Court Justices, members of legislative bodies, cabinet members, military leaders, etc.) with positions relevant to death penalty issues.
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • US Attorney General, 1993-2001
  • State Attorney, Dade County, Florida State Attorney’s Office, 1978-1993
  • Staff Attorney, Dade County, Florida State Attorney’s Office, 1973-1976
  • Staff Director, Judiciary Committee, Florida House of Representatives, 1971-1973
  • Member, Board of Directors, Innocence Project
Education:
  • LLB (Bachelor of Law), Harvard Law School, 1964
  • BS, Chemistry, Cornell University, 1960
  • High School Diploma, Coral Gables High School, Florida
Other:
  • First woman Attorney General of the United States
  • Ran for Governor of Florida in 2002 and lost in Democratic primary to Bill McBride