{"id":372169,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:44","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/criminal-laws\/capital-punishment.html"},"modified":"2024-11-22T13:38:33","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T18:38:33","slug":"capital-punishment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/criminal-laws\/capital-punishment.html","title":{"rendered":"State Capital Punishment Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n \n
\n \n State Capital Punishment Laws\n <\/h1>\n \n Learn about your state’s laws by using the links below.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty<\/a>, is the government-sanctioned execution of a criminal defendant following the conviction of a capital offense. A capital offense is a crime punishable by death. Now, 27 states allow the use of the death penalty for certain criminal offenses.<\/p>\r\n

Capital punishment<\/a> is controversial in the United States. Debates around the death penalty include its morality, costs, and politics. Also, the U.S. Supreme Court has issued several landmark rulings about capital punishment.<\/p>\r\n

This article provides an overview of capital punishment laws<\/a> throughout the United States. Choose a state from the map or the list below for state-specific laws. The links provide state-specific information on the types of crimes for which the state may impose capital punishment and the effect of a defendant’s mental incapacity in a capital offense case.<\/p>\r\n