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 Legal?"
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
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