Most U.S. states still use capital punishment (the "death penalty") as a sentence for especially heinous crimes, typically first-degree murder. But Michigan capital punishment law prohibits the practice. In fact, Michigan became the first Engligh-speaking government in the world to abolish the death penalty when the state legislature did so in 1846. Only one execution was carried out in Michigan since then, a federal execution for a murder during a bank robbery in 1938.

Learn more about capital punishment, the death penalty, and sentencing for violent crimes through the following links. See FindLaw's Death Penalty section for more articles and resources.

Note: State laws are constantly changing -- contact a Michigan criminal defense attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.

Research the Law

• Michigan Law
  
• Official State Codes - Links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and DC.

Michigan Capital Punishment Laws: Related Resources

• First-Degree Murder Overview
  
• History of Death Penalty Laws
  
• Find a Criminal Law Attorney