Global distribution

Use of the death penalty around the world (as of February 2011). Abolished for all offenses (96) Abolished for all offenses except under special circumstances (9) Retains, though not used for at least 10 years (34) Retains death penalty (58)* * While laws vary among U.S. states, it is considered retentionist because the federal death penalty is still in active use. See also: Use of capital punishment by country Since World War II there has been a trend toward abolishing the death penalty. In 1977, 16 countries were abolitionist. According to information published by Amnesty International in 2012, 97 countries had abolished capital punishment altogether, 8 had done so for all offences except under special circumstances, and 36 had not used it for at least 10 years or were under a moratorium. The other 57 retained the death penalty in active use.[54] Criminal procedure Criminal trials and convictions Rights of the accused Fair trial Speedy trial Jury trial Counsel Presumption of innocence Exclusionary rule1 Self-incrimination Double jeopardy2 Verdict Conviction Acquittal Not proven3 Directed verdict Sentencing Mandatory Suspended Custodial Dangerous offender4, 5 Capital punishment Execution warrant Cruel and unusual punishment Life Indefinite Post-sentencing Parole Probation Tariff6 Life licence6 Miscarriage of justice Exoneration Pardon Sexually violent predator legislation1 Related areas of law Criminal defenses Criminal law Evidence Civil procedure Portals Law Criminal justice 1 US courts 2 Not in English/Welsh courts 3 Scottish courts 4 English/Welsh courts 5 Canadian courts 6 UK courts 7 Indian courts vte According to Amnesty International, only 21 countries were known to have had executions carried out in 2011. In addition, there are countries which do not publish information on the use of capital punishment, most significantly China.[55] At least 18,750 people worldwide were under sentence of death at the beginning of 2012.[56]