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.
Execution Methods
The United States uses five different methods of execution depending on state law and the inmate's choice. Lethal injection is the most commonly used method today, where the condemned person receives a series of drugs that stop the heart. Other methods include electrocution, where high voltage electricity is used; gas chamber, using toxic gas; hanging; and firing squad. States allow inmates to choose their preferred method when available.
Which States Allow It
Capital punishment is legal in 27 states as well as the federal government and U.S. military. Thirteen states have abolished the death penalty, and ten states have declared a moratorium, meaning they pause executions temporarily. Some states have not carried out executions in many years despite having the law on the books.
Legal Process
Before someone can be executed, they must go through a complete trial where a jury decides if they are guilty of a capital crime. The jury must also decide during a separate hearing whether the death penalty is appropriate. After conviction, the person has the right to appeal their case multiple times through state and federal courts. This process typically takes many years or even decades.
Crimes Punishable by Death
Capital punishment in the U.S. is generally limited to murder cases, particularly when certain serious circumstances exist, called aggravating factors. These factors might include murdering a police officer, killing multiple people, or committing murder during another felony. Federal crimes like treason or terrorism can also result in the death penalty. 
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