Capital punishment is the lawful infliction of death as a punishment and has been in use in many countries for centuries. It is still a legal penalty in many countries, including the United States, where it is used in a limited number of states. Capital punishment has been the subject of much debate over the years, with opponents arguing that it is cruel and unusual punishment, while proponents argue that it is an effective deterrent to crime.

Capital punishment is typically used as a punishment for premeditated