death penalty

The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, is the execution of an offender sentenced to death by a court of law for a serious crime. This practice should be distinguished from extrajudicial killings that occur without due process. While the term "death penalty" is often used interchangeably with "capital punishment," a death sentence is not always followed by execution due to the possibility of commutation to life imprisonment.12

Globally, the status of the death penalty varies. As of 2024, 54 jurisdictions retain a legal death penalty for ordinary crimes, while 113 jurisdictions have made it illegal for all crimes. Some countries use it only for exceptional crimes, and others have abolished it in practice, meaning no executions have occurred in the last decade. Historically, public executions were common but were attacked as cruel, leading many U.S. states to switch to private hangings starting in the 1830s. Methods of execution have evolved, with lethal injection being common in the U.S. since 1977, though other methods like electrocution, hanging, and firing squads have also been used.345

The morality and effectiveness of capital punishment have been debated for centuries. Arguments for its use often center on retribution and deterrence, while opponents argue it is a violation of the right to life, inhumane, and not a more effective deterrent than life imprisonment. The U.S. Supreme Court has played a significant role in shaping its application, notably in Furman v. Georgia (1972), which ruled the death penalty unconstitutional when applied arbitrarily or discriminatorily.26