{"id":373809,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:26","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-capital-punishment-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-11-15T12:51:24","modified_gmt":"2024-11-15T17:51:24","slug":"maryland-capital-punishment-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-capital-punishment-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Capital Punishment Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Maryland Capital Punishment Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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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
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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 has persistently been a controversial topic all over the country for decades. As public opinion evolves, many states are reconsidering their stance on capital punishment, commonly known as the death penalty.<\/p>\r\n

For instance, Maryland has significantly changed its approach to capital punishment in the past few years. This article offers a comprehensive overview of the state’s capital punishment laws, examining its history and recent developments.<\/p>\r\n

Does Maryland Allow the Death Penalty?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

No. As of 2013, Maryland state laws no longer allow capital punishment. It became the 18th U.S. state to abolish the death penalty. This happened after Gov. Martin O’Malley signed a bill outlawing the death penalty<\/a>. The repeal of the death sentence marks a significant shift in the criminal justice system in Maryland. Today, the most severe form of penalty in the state is a life sentence without the possibility of parole.<\/p>\r\n

According to the governor’s office, the reason for outlawing the death penalty comes from various reasons:<\/p>\r\n