Understanding Capital Punishment Law

Written for law students in capital punishment courses, and for lawyers, experts, activists, and scholars, this overview of capital punishment explains the constitutional law that governs death penalty proceedings in the US. Opening chapters review the death penalty controversy in the 21st century, summarize major arguments for and against the death penalty, and overview sources of law. Later chapters cover topics such as challenges to the constitutionality of the death penalty, methods of execution, modern death penalty statutes, and aggravating evidence and circumstances. Also covered are aspects of the selection process, direct appeals, innocence and clemency, death row issues, race and gender bias in the death penalty, and defendants who want to die. This third edition includes new chapters on the, the death penalty worldwide, and changes in attitudes military death penalty toward the death penalty as reflected in recent moratoriums and debates. Carter teaches law at the University of the Pacific. Annotation c2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)