The debates over capital punishment can polarize people instantly, and it's been that way in this country for a long time. While most states still allow capital punishment, the number of jurisdictions abolishing the death penalty is increasing. Six states officially have the death penalty on the books but no longer carry out executions.
Connecticut law no longer supports capital punishment. The maximum penalty in Connecticut is life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Capital Punishment in the United States
The American criminal justice system allows each state to set its laws and guidelines on criminal penalties. Some states abolished the death penalty because they felt it was no longer a deterrent for would-be criminals. Others did it in support of human rights.
The method of execution in those states that still have the death penalty is lethal injection. But, some states have alternate methods, such as the electric chair.
Currently, 27 states maintain the death penalty. But, six of these states put a moratorium on executions years ago. For example, California still has the death penalty on the books, but it has not executed a death row inmate since 2006.
Many states abolished the death penalty years ago. Some of the states that no longer pursue capital crimes include:
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- New Mexico
- New York
- Washington
History of Capital Punishment in Connecticut
Most states have had the death penalty at one point. Over the years, some states have decided to abolish the death penalty entirely, while others have simply put a moratorium on executions. The Connecticut courts issued their share of death sentences until 1972, when the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its ruling in Furman v. Georgia.
In Furman, the Supreme Court said that the death penalty violated the Eighth Amendment and was unconstitutional. According to the Court, the death penalty, as applied, suffered from arbitrariness and was discriminatory against minorities. As a result of the court's ruling, every state had to abolish the death penalty or change its capital punishment laws to abide by the Eighth Amendment.
The Connecticut legislature reinstated the death penalty in 1976. From 1976 to 2012, Connecticut juries sent 15 defendants to death row. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, of those death row inmates, the state only executed one person.
The State of Connecticut decided to repeal its capital punishment laws in 2012 when Gov. Dannel Malloy signed a new law abolishing the death penalty.
Note: State laws are constantly changing. Contact a Connecticut criminal defense attorney or conduct legal research to verify your state laws.
A Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help
If you're facing charges of homicide or another felony, contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. While the death penalty is no longer on the table in Connecticut, that doesn't mean you won't face severe penalties. Depending on the nature of the charges, the judge may sentence you to life imprisonment or life without the possibility of parole.
An experienced criminal defense lawyer will help poke holes in the state's case. They will also work hard to negotiate a favorable plea bargain with the prosecutor.
Related Resources for Capital Punishment Laws: