LEGAL SYSTEM »» LAWS »» CAPITAL PUNISHMENT »» Feb 12, 2024

Capital punishment is permitted by our Constitution but limited under the Eighth Amendment which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. The death penalty is used almost exclusively for aggravated murders committed by mentally competent adults. There are at least 2,331 inmates currently on Death Row and 17 people were executed in 2020. Since 1976, 34 states, the military and our federal government have executed about 1,582 inmates who were convicted of murdering at least one person. Capital punishment is currently authorized in 27 states. Supporters of the death penalty believe it serves justice, is a fitting punishment for murder, and allows closure for the families of crime victims. Others claim retribution, or the biblical concept of an “eye for an eye,” justifies the death penalty. Some believe capital punishment deters people from committing murder, and gives prosecutors a bargaining chip in the plea-bargain process. Many say the death penalty is an appropriate punishment because it guarantees a murderer will not kill again. Studies have found that 8.6% of those on Death Row have a prior homicide conviction. Opponents say the death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment and is unevenly administered to people without wealth, people of color and to innocent people as well. They say poor defendants and minorities receive the death penalty much more often than defendants who can afford more competent representation. Our Justice Department has previously reported that white defendants are more likely than black defendants to negotiate plea bargains that save them from the death penalty in federal cases. It has also been acknowledged that the legal representation of defendants in many capital cases has been inadequate, and it is estimated that 15% of those we have executed have been innocent. Death penalty opponents claim there are many systemic problems that result in innocent people being convicted of murder. These include mistaken identification, coerced confessions, reliance on jailhouse informants, reliance on faulty forensic testing, and lack of access to reliable DNA testing. Pending Legislation: H.R.1124 - Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 2023 Sponsor: Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY) Status: House Committee on the Judiciary Chair: Rep. Jim Jordan (OH) I oppose reforming current capital punishment policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Mike Johnson (LA). I support repealing a wide range of criminal offenses under United States Federal Criminal Code, the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Controlled Substances Act and the Uniform Code of Military Justice by: 1.) Converting sentences of those currently on death row into a sentence of life in prison without parole. 2.) Prohibiting the sentencing of death as a penalty for any pending or future violations of Federal law. And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Jim Jordan. (OH) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

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I support repealing a wide range of criminal offenses under United States Federal Criminal Code, the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Controlled Substances Act and the Uniform Code of Military Justice by: 1.) Converting sentences of those currently on death row into a sentence of life in prison without parole. 2.) Prohibiting the sentencing of death as a penalty for any pending or future violations of Federal law. And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Jim Jordan. (OH) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

Trustee Candidates

Representative If elected as a trustee, the campaign committee of Rep. Jim Jordan. (OH) will be unconditionally awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting him to favorably consider passing H.R.1124 - Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 2023. Death Penalty Focus If elected as a trustee, Death Penalty Focus will be awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting these funds be used to work and advocate for abolishing the federal death penalty. About: Founded in 1988, Death Penalty Focus is committed to the abolition of the death penalty through public education, grassroots organizing and political advocacy, media outreach, and domestic and international coalition building. To achieve our mission, we organize year-round public education and professional media campaigns; provide speakers for schools, faith communities, and community organizations; conduct outreach to key constituents; mobilize supporters in support of or against death-penalty-related legislation; and sponsor research projects and opinion polls.

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