The Death Penalty in District of Columbia

How District of Columbia law treats death penalty, from the state code and official state agencies.

Short answer: The District of Columbia does not have the death penalty under the D.C. Code; it was repealed by the District of Columbia Death Penalty Repeal Act of 1980 (D.C. Law 3-113), which amended the murder penalty statute. D.C. Code § 22-2104(a)-(c); D.C. Law 3-113

Death penalty	The District of Columbia does not have the death penalty under the D.C. Code; it was repealed by the District of Columbia Death Penalty Repeal Act of 1980 (D.C. Law 3-113), which amended the murder penalty statute. First-degree murder is punished by 30 years up to life imprisonment without release, and a person convicted of first-degree murder cannot be released before serving 30 years; second-degree murder carries up to life. Federal crimes prosecuted in D.C. are outside the D.C. Source: D.C. Code § 22-2104(a)-(c); D.C. Law 3-113

Death penalty

The District of Columbia does not have the death penalty under the D.C. Code; it was repealed by the District of Columbia Death Penalty Repeal Act of 1980 (D.C. Law 3-113), which amended the murder penalty statute. First-degree murder is punished by 30 years up to life imprisonment without release, and a person convicted of first-degree murder cannot be released before serving 30 years; second-degree murder carries up to life.

Federal crimes prosecuted in D.C. are outside the D.C.

Source: D.C. Code § 22-2104(a)-(c); D.C. Law 3-113

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FAQ

Does District of Columbia have the death penalty?

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.