The death penalty or capital punishment is the punishment by death for a crime. Currently 58 countries worldwide allow the death penalty (including the U.S.) while 97 countries have outlawed it. Since the 1970s executions in the U.S. have declined every year. In 2021 five states and the federal government carried out 11 executions. The decline is part of a decadeslong trend as the costs associated with seeking the death penalty, the lengthy appeals process often associated with capital punishment, concerns about executing the innocent and a long-term decline in crime rates have caused many prosecutors and legislators in the U.S. to pull back from capital punishment.
70% Yes |
30% No |
57% Yes |
26% No |
13% Yes, but only for horrific crimes with undeniable evidence |
2% No, too many people are innocently convicted |
1% Yes, but the victim’s family should decide the punishment |
2% No, spending life in prison is a harsher sentence |
See how support for each position on “Death Penalty” has changed over time for 8.8m America voters.
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See how importance of “Death Penalty” has changed over time for 8.8m America voters.
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Unique answers from America users whose views extended beyond the provided choices.
@cryingleftist3yrs3Y
The offender should have a choice between life in prison and the death penalty.
@8CGS9HS4yrs4Y
No. The government does not have the authority to kill a citizen for any reason.
@4WVPX4L3yrs3Y
No. Some people deserve to die. In fact, let's expand it to include child molesters, corrupt politicians, and the jerk who steals my parking space.
@4Z3Q5XR3yrs3Y
Yes and all death row prisoners should give up all rights and we should use body parts of all death row convicts as needed to save the lives of law abiding citizens
@4WVVP9G3yrs3Y
No, but anyone should be able to request their own euthanasia.
@4Z7HS5V3yrs3Y
No, anyone can be rehabilitated.
Stay up-to-date on the most recent “Death Penalty” news articles, updated frequently.
@ISIDEWITH6 days6D
In a case that has drawn national attention and sparked a broad coalition of support for clemency, Missouri has proceeded with the execution of Brian Dorsey, a 52-year-old man convicted of the 2006 murders of his cousin, Sarah, and her husband, Ben Bonnie. The execution took place on Tuesday, marking a somber conclusion to a case that has lingered in the public consciousness for nearly two decades. Dorsey's death sentence was carried out despite an unusual and diverse array of appeals for his life to be spared, including from more than 150 individuals comprising five jurors from his trial, seventy corrections staff, and three Republican state representatives. These appeals centered around requests to commute Dorsey's sentence to life without parole, highlighting concerns about the death penalty and the potential for rehabilitation. The murders of Sarah and Ben Bonnie, which left the couple's 4-year-old daughter alone and unharmed, have been a tragic focal point in Missouri's legal and moral debates around capital punishment. Dorsey's execution underscores the complexities and controversies surrounding the death penalty in the United States, particularly in cases where there is significant public and bipartisan support for clemency. The decision by Missouri's governor to deny clemency, despite the widespread appeals, has sparked discussions about the justice system's flexibility, mercy, and the role of public opinion in matters of life and death. As the state moves forward from this execution, the conversation around the death penalty, its application, and its moral implications continues to evolve. The case of Brian Dorsey serves as a poignant reminder of the human elements at play in the legal system and the ongoing debate over the most severe punishment it can mete out.
@ISIDEWITH1wk1W
The political landscape of Illinois and Cook County has lost a significant figure with the passing of Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough at the age of 73. Yarbrough, a stalwart in state and local Democratic Party politics, died following a hospitalization due to a serious medical condition. Her office…
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
In a somber culmination of a legal process spanning over two decades, Oklahoma has carried out the execution of Michael DeWayne Smith, convicted for the double murder that occurred in Oklahoma City in 2002. Smith, 41, faced lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, marking the end of a long and contentious journey through the justice system. The execution took place on Thursday morning, with Smith pronounced dead at 10:20 am, bringing a close to a case that has lingered in the courts and in the minds of the victims' families for years.Smith's case drew attention not only for the heinous nature of the crimes but also for his pleas for clemency. He argued that he was so high on drugs at the time of the shootings that he had no memory of the events. Despite these claims, the courts upheld his conviction and sentence, leading to his eventual execution. The murders for which Smith was convicted involved a fatal shooting outside an Oklahoma City club, a crime that shocked the local community and left two families grieving.The execution of Michael DeWayne Smith is a stark reminder of the ultimate penalty within the American justice system. While it represents closure for some, it also reignites debates over the morality and efficacy of capital punishment. Oklahoma, known for its use of the death penalty, continues to be a battleground for these discussions, with each execution prompting reflections on justice, retribution, and rehabilitation.For the families of the victims, the execution may offer a sense of finality to a painful chapter in their lives. However, it also serves as a grim reminder of the loss they have endured. As the state carries out its capital punishment laws, the community and the nation are left to grapple with the complex ethical and legal questions that surround the death penalty.The case of Michael DeWayne Smith, from the crimes to the courtroom battles and finally to the execution chamber, underscores the profound human and societal implications of capital punishment. As Oklahoma and other states continue to enforce the death penalty, the debate over its place in modern justice remains as relevant and contentious as ever.
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