Capital Punishment
Oklahoma Observer v. Patton – Defending Press Right to Observe Executions
The First Amendment guarantees the public and the press the right to witness certain government proceedings – including public executions. On August 25, 2014, the ACLU and the ACLU of Oklahoma filed a lawsuit arguing that this right was violated during the botched execution of Clayton Lockett in Oklahoma. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of The Guardian and The Oklahoma Observer, whose journalists were deprived the right to view and fully report on the execution.
View Case
Learn About Capital Punishment
All Cases
58 Capital Punishment Cases
Missouri
Jun 2014
Capital Punishment
Smart Justice
ACLU Petition to IACHR on Missouri Execution That Will Cause Irreparable Harm
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a request for precautionary measures with the Organization of American States' Inter-American Commission on Human Rights showing that the execution of John Winfield, scheduled for June 18, 2014 in the state of Missouri, will cause irreparable harm should it go forward. The ACLU asks that the executions be stayed until the IACHR can review and rule on the ACLU's petition that alleges Mr. Winfield's death sentence violates international law. On June 6, 2014, the IACHR granted ACLU request for precautionary measures against the United States and requested that "the Government of the United States to abstain from executing John Winfield until the IACHR has ruled on the merits of the individual petition filed on his behalf."
Explore case
Missouri
Jun 2014
Capital Punishment
Smart Justice
ACLU Petition to IACHR on Missouri Execution That Will Cause Irreparable Harm
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a request for precautionary measures with the Organization of American States' Inter-American Commission on Human Rights showing that the execution of John Winfield, scheduled for June 18, 2014 in the state of Missouri, will cause irreparable harm should it go forward. The ACLU asks that the executions be stayed until the IACHR can review and rule on the ACLU's petition that alleges Mr. Winfield's death sentence violates international law. On June 6, 2014, the IACHR granted ACLU request for precautionary measures against the United States and requested that "the Government of the United States to abstain from executing John Winfield until the IACHR has ruled on the merits of the individual petition filed on his behalf."
Missouri
May 2014
Capital Punishment
Smart Justice
ACLU Petition to IACHR on Missouri and Oklahoma Executions that Will Violate International Law
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a petition with the Organization of American States' Inter-American Commission on Human Rights showing that the upcoming executions by lethal injection in Missouri and Oklahoma will violate international law against cruel and unusual punishment, should they go forward. The ACLU asks that the executions be stopped until the IACHR can conduct independent investigations of the two cases.
Explore case
Missouri
May 2014
Capital Punishment
Smart Justice
ACLU Petition to IACHR on Missouri and Oklahoma Executions that Will Violate International Law
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a petition with the Organization of American States' Inter-American Commission on Human Rights showing that the upcoming executions by lethal injection in Missouri and Oklahoma will violate international law against cruel and unusual punishment, should they go forward. The ACLU asks that the executions be stopped until the IACHR can conduct independent investigations of the two cases.
U.S. Supreme Court
Aug 2013
Capital Punishment
+2 Issues
Kansas v. Cheever
Whether the Fifth Amendment imposes any limits on the state's ability to introduce evidence derived from a court-ordered psychiatric examination of the defendant by the state's expert.
Explore case
U.S. Supreme Court
Aug 2013
Capital Punishment
+2 Issues
Kansas v. Cheever
Whether the Fifth Amendment imposes any limits on the state's ability to introduce evidence derived from a court-ordered psychiatric examination of the defendant by the state's expert.
Court Case
Dec 2012
Capital Punishment
Smart Justice
Petitions Filed Under North Carolina’s Racial Justice Act
On August 3, 2010, five North Carolina death row inmates filed claims under their state's landmark legislation, the Racial Justice Act. The law, which passed in August 2009, requires that courts enter a life sentence for any death row defendant who proves that race was a factor in the imposition of his or her death sentence.
Explore case
Court Case
Dec 2012
Capital Punishment
Smart Justice
Petitions Filed Under North Carolina’s Racial Justice Act
On August 3, 2010, five North Carolina death row inmates filed claims under their state's landmark legislation, the Racial Justice Act. The law, which passed in August 2009, requires that courts enter a life sentence for any death row defendant who proves that race was a factor in the imposition of his or her death sentence.