Capital punishment in the United States facts for kids

In the United States, capital punishment is a very serious punishment. It means the government can put someone to death for a very serious crime they have been found guilty of. This punishment is allowed by the federal government, in 27 states, and in American Samoa. It is also used for some military offenses.

However, 23 states and Washington, D.C. have stopped using capital punishment. It is usually only used for the most serious crimes, like extremely serious murder. Even though 27 states allow it, only 19 of them actually carry out death sentences. The other 8 states, along with the federal government and military, have put a temporary stop (called a moratorium) to executions.

As of 2023, there are 38 member countries in a group called the OECD. Only two of these countries, the United States and Japan, still use capital punishment.

Map showing where capital punishment is used in the U.S.      No death penalty: States where it's been stopped or never allowed (23 states, 5 territories)      Death penalty allowed, but executions are officially paused (8 states)      Death penalty allowed, but no executions in the last 10 years (8 states, 1 territory)      Death penalty allowed, but executions are unofficially paused (1 state)      Death penalty allowed and executions have happened in the last 10 years (10 states)

Map showing the status of capital punishment since 1970 by area:      Capital punishment stopped or ruled illegal      Capital punishment is a legal punishment.

States That No Longer Use Capital Punishment

A total of 23 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, have stopped using the death penalty for all crimes.

Michigan was the first English-speaking place in the world to stop using capital punishment in 1847. Even though a crime called treason could still be punished by death in Michigan after 1847, no one was ever executed for it. In 1962, Michigan's constitution officially confirmed that the death penalty was completely abolished.

Map showing states with and without the death penalty since 1970:      States with the death penalty      States without the death penalty