The primary purpose of capital punishment is to deter individuals from committing crimes by instilling fear of the ultimate penalty.

Venezuela was the first country to abolish the death penalty, doing so in 1863.

Lethal injection is the most common method of execution in the United States, accounting for over 80% of executions.

The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment.

Death row is the term used for the period of time between sentencing and execution for individuals convicted of capital crimes.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, adopted in 1976, prohibits the use of capital punishment except for the most serious crimes.

Juvenile execution is the term used for the execution of a person who was under the age of 18 at the time of the crime.

Execution of the mentally ill is the term used for the execution of a person who is mentally ill.

Execution of pregnant women is the term used for the execution of a person who is pregnant.

Execution of the intellectually disabled is the term used for the execution of a person who is intellectually disabled.

Execution of the innocent is the term used for the execution of a person who is innocent.

Posthumous exoneration is the term used for the exoneration of a person who was executed.

Abolitionist movement is the term used for the movement to abolish the death penalty.

Retentionist movement is the term used for the movement to retain the death penalty.

Death penalty debate is the term used for the debate surrounding the death penalty.