To become a forensic psychologist you would have a desire to want to help and support offenders. Excellent communication and listening skills will also help you work with a broad range of people including other professionals.
A Seattle University study examining the costs of the death penalty in Washington found that each death penalty case cost an average of $1 million more than a similar case where the death penalty was not sought ($3.07 million, versus $2.01 million).
In New Jersey, the death penalty was found to cost taxpayers an additional $253 million over a 20-year period. In federal court death-penalty cases, the average cost is nearly eight times that of a murder case not seeking the death penalty.