Death Penalty
Death Penalty Home
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Forms of Execution in the United States, 1977 - 2006
Federal and State Capital Crimes in the United States
Major Death Penalty Cases in the US Supreme Court
2008 Presidential Candidates on the Death Penalty
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  Should the death penalty be abolished?
This site presents in a simple, nonpartisan pro-con format, responses to the core question "Should the death penalty be abolished?" We have divided questions about the topic into the issues and sub-issues listed below.

Background / General
 Death Penalty and Capital Punishment Defined
 Forms of Execution & Capital Offenses

Moral & Ethical Issues
 Morality of Death Penalty
 Physicians at Executions

Deterrence & Retribution
 Deterrence
 Retribution

Social Issues
 Race and Social Status
 Moratorium

Death Penalty vs. Life in Prison
 Life in Prison Without Parole (LWOP)
 Cost of Execution vs. Cost of Life in Prison

Religious Views
 Buddhism
 Christianity
 Hinduism
 Islam
 Judaism

Legal Considerations
 Constitutionality
 DNA Evidence
 Judicial System
 Clemency


NEWS AND NOTICES
(archived after 30 days)

10/6/2008 - NEW: Major Death Penalty Cases in the US Supreme Court - Explore eight verdicts from 1972 - 2008 that regulate capital punishment today.

10/3/2008 - ProCon.org User Survey passes 1,000 responses.  See the survey results so far

9/30/2008 – ProCon.org received two more media mentions last week.  Visit our In the News page to see our latest media references.

9/18/2008 - NEW: Should the death penalty be used for retribution?

Archived News and Notices (archived after 30 days)