Alaska Capital Punishment Laws

Capital punishment — or the "death penalty" — is for those convicted of first-degree murder, particularly where there is a lack of remorse or a pattern of cruelty. But those who murder the commission of another felony (even if accidentally) also may get sentenced to death. Lethal injection is the most common method for executions, but some give the option to choose hanging electric chair, or other methods.

Alaska does not enforce the death penalty, but it’s helpful to understand its history with capital punishment and where it stands on the death penalty now.

History of the Death Penalty in Alaska

Alaska’s history with the death penalty highlights a significant shift in legal practices. Capital punishment was part of the legal system when Alaska was a U.S. territory, but the territorial legislature abolished it in 1957, two years before Alaska became a state. Since then, the state has not had a functioning death row or carried out any executions. 

Alaska Capital Punishment Laws at a Glance

Capital punishment is not allowed in Alaska.

See FindLaw's Death Penalty section for more articles and resources.

Note: State laws are subject to change at any time through the decisions of higher courts, the enactment of newly signed legislation, and other limited means. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of these pages, you also may want to contact an Alaska criminal defense attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state laws you are researching.

Capital Punishment in America

Capital punishment has had a long and twisted path in the United States, from regular hangings during Colonial times to an increase in statewide moratoriums in the late 20th century. The last time the federal government banned capital punishment (nationwide) was in 1972 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Georgia's death penalty statute was too arbitrary. But four years later, the Court reinstated capital punishment (Gregg v. Georgia), providing a legal benchmark for states wishing to reinstate it.

A majority of states embraced (and legalized) state-sponsored executions after 1976, but many states have banned them. See the table below to learn which states have retained the death penalty and which states have banned it.

Get Legal Advice From an Alaska Criminal Defense Attorney

Although Alaska does not have the death penalty, facing a serious criminal charge could still result in life imprisonment without parole. If you face such a situation, seeking legal advice from an experienced Alaska criminal defense attorney is important.