Issues discussed in relevant U.S. Supreme Court cases pertain to the administration of death-penalty statutes; whether capital punishment per se is cruel and unusual punishment; the prediction of future criminal activity; mitigating circumstances; the constitutionality of "death-qualified" juries; the option of convicting under a lesser, noncapital charge; and the legality of executing juveniles. Other pertinent court decisions considered relate to capital convictions of persons not at the crime scene, psychiatric testimony, and the issue of race and mental condition in capital cases. A review of death penalty statutes by jurisdiction is provided, followed by a discussion of the pros and cons of public and private executions. Remaining topics discussed are execution procedures, conditions for death row inmates, public attitudes toward capital punishment, capital punishment around the world, and the pros and cons of capital punishment. Historical statistics on capital punishment in the United States are provided. Subject index.