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).
An audit conducted by the state of Nevada shows the cost of death penalty cases is nearly twice as much as murder cases where a lesser penalty is sought. The audit, which focused on 28 murder cases in two Nevada counties between 2000 and 2012, concluded that the death penalty costs about $532,000 more than non-death penalty cases. The report cited the additional time and resources needed when the death penalty is sought as reasons for the escalated cost.