Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, is a legal punishment where someone convicted of certain crimes is sentenced to death. It involves taking someone's life as punishment for their crime.
Related terms
Cruel and Unusual Punishment: This term refers to punishments that are considered excessively harsh or degrading based on societal standards.
Deterrence Theory: Deterrence theory suggests that punishing individuals severely will deter others from committing similar crimes.
Innocence Project: The Innocence Project works to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals using DNA evidence and advocate for criminal justice reform.