1,188 people were executed in the US from 1977
through 2009, primarily by means of lethal injection.
Most death penalty cases involve the execution of
murderers although capital punishment can also be
applied for treason, espionage, and other crimes.
Proponents of the death penalty say it is an important
tool for preserving law and order, deters crime, and
costs less than life imprisonment. They argue that
retribution or "an eye for an eye" honors the victim,
helps console grieving families, and ensures that the
perpetrators of heinous crimes never have an
opportunity to cause future tragedy.
Opponents of capital punishment say it has no deterrent
effect on crime, wrongly gives governments the power to
take human life, and perpetuates social injustices by
disproportionately targeting people of color (racist) and
people who cannot afford good attorneys (classist).
They say lifetime jail sentences are a more severe and
less expensive punishment than death.
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