Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, is defined as the legal punishment of death for criminal offenses. Methods of capital punishment vary around the world but generally include hanging, electrocution, lethal injection, and firing squad. In the United States, the most common methods are lethal injection and electrocution. Supporters argue that capital punishment deters serious crimes, ensures criminals who are executed cannot commit further crimes, and provides a sense of justice or closure for victims' families. However, others argue that capital punishment violates religious or ethical beliefs in the sanctity of life, risks executing innocent people due to human error, and does not effectively deter crime according to evidence. The essay will examine both sides of the debate and the