Execution (legal)

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Death Penalty World Map  Color Key:   Blue: Abolished for all crimes Green: Abolished for crimes not committed in exceptional circumstances (such as crimes committed in time of war) Orange: Abolitionist in Practice Red: Legal Form of Punishment
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Death Penalty World Map
Color Key:
  • Blue: Abolished for all crimes
  • Green: Abolished for crimes not committed in exceptional circumstances (such as crimes committed in time of war)
  • Orange: Abolitionist in Practice
  • Red: Legal Form of Punishment
Execution of a soldier of the 8th Infantry at Prescott, Arizona, 1877
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Execution of a soldier of the 8th Infantry at Prescott, Arizona, 1877

Execution is the killing of a convicted criminal as a deliberate legalact. It is usually a formal act, and is often done either under law or with quasi-legal justifications given. Execution can be legal, if preceded by a judicial process or in accordance with appropriate law (see capital punishment), or illegal, such as killing of hostages. Because of this, in controversial contexts, one person's 'execution' is often another persons unjustified murder.

Formal military executions are typically by firing squad (for violations of orders in wartime or the laws of war) or by hanging (typically for cowardice, or commission of atrocities or other crimes).

Methods of execution which involve, or have the potential to involve, a great deal of pain or mutilation are considered to be torture and unacceptable to many who support capital punishment. Some of these, if halted soon enough, may not have fatal effects.

Contents

Execution through history

See also

Books

  • Geoffrey Abbott - Execution: A Guide to Ultimate Penalty (2004)

External links

Civil law

In the context of civil law, execution is the process of enforcing a judgment for money damages. Processes available for execution include garnishment, attachment, and levy.

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