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Capital Punishment Laws in Missouri

Capital punishment is the harshest sentence allowable in the United States. Different states have different rulings on whether or not the death penalty is legal, and Missouri is one of 31 states that currently still allow the death penalty. If you are being tried in a capital punishment case, it goes without saying that having superior criminal defense representation is absolutely essential.

Deputy & Mizell, Injury Attorneys near Lake of the Ozarks

 

About The Death Penalty
 
Though it is still allowed in several states, capital punishment is strictly reserved for individuals who have been convicted of truly heinous crimes. As examples, capital punishment may be sentenced if the defendant is convicted of first degree murder (with a prior offense) or aggravated kidnapping. (Aggravated kidnapping is defined as kidnapping with an aggravating factor, such as when the victim suffers bodily injury or harm).
 
Typically, capital punishment sentences are carried out with the use of a lethal injection. Missouri is one of only six states that offers the gas chamber as an alternative method, but this method is only used if lethal injection is not an option for some reason or if the inmate requests it.
 
The Attitude Toward The Death Penalty
 
Deputy & Mizell, Injury Attorneys near Lake of the Ozarks

Capital punishment has been around as long as anyone can remember, dating back to very primitive times. Throughout the years it has evolved into a very strictly regulated procedure, one to be performed only after an individual is proven guilty of a heinous crime beyond any shadow of a doubt. The death penalty is still used in the United States, but it is becoming less and less common.

 
Despite being legal in 31 states, the use of the death penalty dropped drastically last year. In 2015 there were a total of only 28 executions throughout the entire United States.* Unfortunately, the use of the death penalty still remains disproportionately high in Missouri; Missouri and two other states (Texas and Georgia) accounted for 86% of all executions carried out in 2015.*
 
It is not surprising that the use of the death penalty is a highly controversial issue. There are those who believe it is a fair and just punishment for individuals guilty of committing such awful crimes, but there are others who believe that a death sentence should never be acceptable. 

* Source: DeathPenaltyInfo.org
 
Contact Us For Representation
 
If capital punishment is on the line, ensuring you have the highest quality criminal representation is critical. Our criminal defense attorneys in Lebanon MO will be here to ensure that your rights are protected every step of the way. Our attorneys have experience defending clients against a variety of felony charges, including:
  • Violent Crimes (murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, carjacking, and domestic violence)
  • Drug Offenses (trafficking, distribution, manufacturing, and cultivation)
  • Sex Offenses (rape, sexual assault of a child, and child pornography)
  • White Collar Crimes (identity theft and embezzlement)
  • Felony DWI
 

For more information about our criminal defense services in Mid-Missouri, visit us at www.DeputyAndMizell.com. Your initial consultation with Deputy & Mizell, LLC is always free.

Contact Deputy & Mizell, LLC

Deputy & Mizell, Injury Attorneys near Lake of the Ozarks
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