Michigan Was First To Abolish The Death Penalty In 1847

In a groundbreaking move, Michigan took a stand against capital punishment in the mid-19th century. It’s a story of courage and foresight.

Michigan has always been a state of innovation and trend-setting.  Michigan was the first state to have phone numbers, the first and only state to protect people from weight discrimination, and the first state to add fluoride to its drinking water system.

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Twenty-three states, plus Washington, DC, currently have a legal ban on the Death Penalty.

• Alaska - Abolished the death penalty in 1957.
• Colorado - Abolished the death penalty in 2020.
• Connecticut - Abolished the death penalty in 2012.
• Delaware - Abolished the death penalty in 2016.
• Hawaii - Abolished the death penalty in 1957.
• Illinois - Abolished the death penalty in 2011.
• Iowa - Abolished the death penalty in 1965.
• Maine - Abolished the death penalty in 1887.
• Maryland - Abolished the death penalty in 2013.
• Massachusetts - Abolished the death penalty in 1984.
• Michigan - Abolished the death penalty in 1847.
• Minnesota - Abolished the death penalty in 1911.
• New Hampshire - Abolished the death penalty in 2019.
• New Jersey - Abolished the death penalty in 2007.
• New Mexico - Abolished the death penalty in 2009.
• New York - Abolished the death penalty in 2007.
• North Dakota - Abolished the death penalty in 1973.
• Rhode Island - Abolished the death penalty in 1984.
• Vermont - Abolished the death penalty in 1972.
• Virginia - Abolished the death penalty in 2021.
• Washington - Abolished the death penalty in 2023.
• West Virginia - Abolished the death penalty in 1965.
• Wisconsin - Abolished the death penalty in 1853.

There are also 4 states with a pause on the Death Penalty.

• California paused the death penalty in 2019.
• Ohio paused the death penalty in 2020.
• Oregon paused the death penalty in 2011.
• Pennsylvania paused the death penalty in 2015.

The information above was sourced from the Death Penalty Information Center.

After introducing legislation to abolish the death penalty in 1846, the great state of Michigan made it official in March of 1847, according to the State Bar of Michigan.

Michigan was years ahead of the rest of the United States; 22 additional states and Washington, D.C., eventually followed our lead.