What is capital punishment and how is it carried out in the United States?

Capital punishment, or the death penalty, is a legal punishment in which a person convicted of a serious crime is executed by the state. In the United States, it is carried out through methods including lethal injection, electrocution, gas chamber, hanging, and firing squad, depending on the state.

What Capital Punishment Is

Capital punishment is the legal execution of a person by the government for committing a serious crime. In the United States, it is considered the most severe criminal penalty. The death penalty is only given after a lengthy legal process that includes a trial, jury decision, and multiple appeals to ensure fairness.