Capital punishment is the state-sanctioned execution of a person who has been convicted of a crime that is punishable by death. Commonly known as the 'death penalty', it is a highly debated topic with strong ethical, moral, and legal arguments both for and against its use. Proponents often argue for its effectiveness as a deterrent to crime and as a just retribution for heinous offenses, while opponents raise concerns about its irreversibility, potential for error, and moral implications, often citing issues of human rights and cruel and unusual punishment. The application of capital punishment varies significantly across countries and jurisdictions, with differing views on which crimes warrant such a severe penalty.