The death penalty is fairly controversial across state lines, with some states endorsing it and others outlawing it entirely. You can find all manner of opinions on whether or not it should be used. However, if you have been accused of a serious offense that carries this potential penalty, you’re probably less concerned with why it may be used and more worried about whether or not it will be used. To that end, you need to know where it is permitted and where it is not.
States that still do use the death penalty tend to be in the south, the southwest and the Great Plains region. It is still used in 25 states, including Texas. That means that exactly half of the United States still has it in place as of 2020. Other states that use it near Texas include Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.
The west coast, however, has almost entirely done away with the death penalty. Oregon and California technically still have it, but use has been stopped by the governor. In Washington, it is not still used at all. On the opposite coast, it has also been outlawed in states like New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut.
How long the death penalty has been abolished in each state also varies. Michigan, for instance, abolished the death penalty in 1846, back before the Civil War. Connecticut took the same step a bit more recently, in 2012.
Those facing the death penalty need to know as much as they can about the process and their legal rights. This often takes years as they go through appeals, even after a conviction, and it is anything but a straightforward process. An experienced legal team can help tremendously. If you’ve been accused of a violent crime, make sure that you professional guidance every step of the way.
