Death penalty

Definition

The death penalty is a legal punishment where a person is put to death by the state as a consequence for committing certain crimes, known as capital offenses. It is applied in the context of criminal law, distinguishing it from civil law where such extreme measures do not apply.

Related terms

Capital Offense: A crime punishable by death, often involving murder or treason.

Criminal Law:

The body of law that pertains to crime and punishment, focusing on offenses against society at large.

Civil Law:

A branch of law dealing with disputes between individuals or organizations, typically resolved through compensation rather than punishment