true crime argumentative essay topics

30 Debate Topics About Crime | Exploring Criminal Justice

A debate topic that can be particularly engaging for students is crime. Crime affects us all in some way, and understanding the different perspectives on this issue can help students develop a deeper understanding of our justice system and the role that individuals and communities play in preventing and responding to crime.

To help teachers facilitate a classroom debate on this topic, we’ve put together this list of 30 debate topics about crime . These topics cover a range of perspectives and issues related to crime and can serve as a starting point for classroom discussions and research projects. By engaging in these debates, students can develop their communication skills, learn to respect different viewpoints and develop a deeper understanding of complex issues.

Crime: Debate Topics

• Should punishment for crimes be more severe?
• Is the criminal justice system fair?
• Can we prevent crime through education and social programs?
• Should we focus on rehabilitation instead of punishment?
• Is the death penalty an effective deterrent to crime?
• Should we have more community-based policing?
• Can we reduce crime by addressing underlying socioeconomic issues?
• Should we have stricter gun control laws?
• Should we have more prisons or alternatives to incarceration?
• Is it ethical to use private prisons?
• Should we have a higher minimum age for criminal responsibility?
• Can we reduce crime by increasing police accountability?
• Should we legalize drugs to reduce crime?
• Should we invest more in mental health resources to prevent crime?
• Is it justifiable to use solitary confinement as a form of punishment?
• Should we abolish the police altogether?
• Can we reduce crime by improving economic opportunities?
• Should we have mandatory sentencing laws?
• Should we have more restorative justice programs?
• Is it fair to punish someone for a crime they committed as a minor?
• Should we have mandatory minimum sentences for certain crimes?
• Should we prioritize rehabilitation over punishment for non-violent crimes?
• Can we reduce crime by improving access to education?
• Should we provide more support for victims of crime?
• Should we have more gun rights for self-defense?
• Should we have more community-based alternatives to policing?
• Should we have more programs to prevent recidivism?
• Should we use technology to prevent crime?
• Should we have more accountability for prosecutors and judges?
• Should we have more focus on preventing white-collar crime?

Download And Print

Download and print a PDF of these crime debate topics.