The Death Penalty is Bullshit

Status of the death penalty worldwide as of 2006-OCT: ₁

Color scheme:

	Blue: Abolished for all crimes
	Yellow-Green: Abolished for crimes except those committed in exceptional circumstances (e.g. crimes committed in time of war)
	Orange: Abolished in practice
	Reddish-brown: Legal form of punishment for heinous offenses

Of the "reddish-brown" states, China is the only one that has a broad range of capital crimes, including tax fraud, minor drug offenses and non-violent theft.

It is important to realize that capital crimes vary greatly around the world. In some states of the U.S., the death penalty is restricted to multiple murderers. Engaging in pre-marital sex or changing one's religion can be a capital offense in other countries.

Status of the death penalty in the U.S. as of 2007-DEC-31: ₁

Notes:

	Blue states have no death penalty statute.
	Yellow-green states have a death penalty statute but have not executed anyone since 1976.
	Reddish-orange states have executed people since 1976.
	The Kansas Supreme Court declared that the death penalty is constitutional by a 5-4 vote on 2006-JUN-26.
	New Jersey abolished the death penalty on 2007-DEC-18 -- the first state in 40 years to do so.

stats and images courtesy of http://www.religioustolerance.org/executh.htm