All Comparison Tables
Death Penalty Status
Federal & State Law Editorial TeamLast reviewed: April 2026
Compare death penalty status (active, moratorium, or abolished), year of most recent change, and execution method across all 50 states.
50 States3 data columnsLast updated: 2025-12-20
Click any column header to sort ascending or descending. Click again to reverse, and a third time to reset.
| State | Status | Year Changed | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL - Alabama | Active | N/A (retained) | Lethal injection; nitrogen hypoxia (2024) |
| AK - Alaska | Abolished | 1957 | N/A |
| AZ - Arizona | Active | N/A (retained) | Lethal injection |
| AR - Arkansas | Active | N/A (retained) | Lethal injection |
| CA - California | Moratorium | 2019 (moratorium) | Lethal injection (paused by governor) |
| CO - Colorado | Abolished | 2020 | N/A |
| CT - Connecticut | Abolished | 2012 | N/A |
| DE - Delaware | Abolished | 2016 (ruled unconstitutional) | N/A |
| FL - Florida | Active | N/A (retained) | Lethal injection; electrocution (alternate) |
| GA - Georgia | Active | N/A (retained) | Lethal injection |
| HI - Hawaii | Abolished | 1957 | N/A |
| ID - Idaho | Active | N/A (retained) | Lethal injection; firing squad (alternate) |
| IL - Illinois | Abolished | 2011 | N/A |
| IN - Indiana | Active | N/A (retained) | Lethal injection |
| IA - Iowa | Abolished | 1965 | N/A |
| KS - Kansas | Active | N/A (retained) | Lethal injection |
| KY - Kentucky | Active | N/A (retained) | Lethal injection; electrocution (pre-1998 offenses) |
| LA - Louisiana | Active | N/A (retained) | Lethal injection |
| ME - Maine | Abolished | 1887 | N/A |
| MD - Maryland | Abolished | 2013 | N/A |
| MA - Massachusetts | Abolished | 1984 (ruled unconstitutional) | N/A |
| MI - Michigan | Abolished | 1846 | N/A (first English-speaking jurisdiction to abolish) |
| MN - Minnesota | Abolished | 1911 | N/A |
| MS - Mississippi | Active | N/A (retained) | Lethal injection |
| MO - Missouri | Active | N/A (retained) | Lethal injection |
| MT - Montana | Active | N/A (retained) | Lethal injection |
| NE - Nebraska | Active | Reinstated 2016 (voter referendum) | Lethal injection |
| NV - Nevada | Active | N/A (retained) | Lethal injection |
| NH - New Hampshire | Abolished | 2019 | N/A |
| NJ - New Jersey | Abolished | 2007 | N/A |
| NM - New Mexico | Abolished | 2009 | N/A |
| NY - New York | Abolished | 2007 (ruled unconstitutional) | N/A |
| NC - North Carolina | Active | N/A (retained, de facto moratorium) | Lethal injection |
| ND - North Dakota | Abolished | 1973 | N/A |
| OH - Ohio | Moratorium | 2020 (de facto moratorium) | Lethal injection (executions paused) |
| OK - Oklahoma | Active | N/A (retained) | Lethal injection; nitrogen hypoxia; electrocution; firing squad (alternates) |
| OR - Oregon | Moratorium | 2011 (moratorium) | Lethal injection (paused by governor) |
| PA - Pennsylvania | Moratorium | 2015 (moratorium) | Lethal injection (paused by governor) |
| RI - Rhode Island | Abolished | 1984 | N/A |
| SC - South Carolina | Active | N/A (retained) | Lethal injection; electrocution; firing squad |
| SD - South Dakota | Active | N/A (retained) | Lethal injection |
| TN - Tennessee | Active | N/A (retained) | Lethal injection; electrocution (alternate) |
| TX - Texas | Active | N/A (retained) | Lethal injection |
| UT - Utah | Active | N/A (retained) | Lethal injection; firing squad (if injection unavailable) |
| VT - Vermont | Abolished | 1972 (de facto), 2023 formal repeal of remaining statutes | N/A |
| VA - Virginia | Abolished | 2021 | N/A |
| WA - Washington | Abolished | 2018 (ruled unconstitutional) | N/A |
| WV - West Virginia | Abolished | 1965 | N/A |
| WI - Wisconsin | Abolished | 1853 | N/A |
| WY - Wyoming | Active | N/A (retained) | Lethal injection |
This information is provided for general educational purposes only and may not reflect the most recent legislative changes. Always verify current law with official state sources or consult a licensed attorney in the relevant jurisdiction.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.