According to a 1992 Dallas Morning News Study, it costs $2.3 million for each death penalty trial vs. $750,000 for life in prison.

When the death penalty is given by Texas juries, an automatic appeal happens. The case receives multiple appeals which are very important to discern the accuracy of the original conviction. Even with these appeals however, innocent people are executed. The system is very difficult to navigate and does not always consider innocence as the most important factor.

Due to the appeals process, victims' families are required to relive the crime they often want to put behind them - LWOP is not auotmatically appealed.

The money saved could be used for victim's services, and programs to protect and prevent Texas children from becoming death row inmates.