United States
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- federal republic with a strong federal tradition
- CONSTITUTION
- September 17, 1787, in effect from March 4, 1789
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- federal court system based on English common law. Each state has its own legal system
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- bicameral, Congress (Senate and House of Representatives)
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals, U.S. District Courts; state and county courts
RELIGIONS
51.3% Protestants; 23.9% Catholics; 1.7% Mormons; 1.6% other Christians; 1.7% Jews; 0.7% Muslims; other unspecified or no religion
From the country
- JANUARY 11, 2004United StatesDEATH PENALTY
US Ambassador Harry K Thomas expressed concern at the...
US Ambassador Harry K Thomas expressed concern at the death sentence issued by a Dhaka court to Faisal Alam Ansary, a Bangladesh born US citizen, saying his trial had not been fair and impartial
- DECEMBER 26, 2003United StatesDEATH PENALTY
(continued from above) In 1988, the Supreme Court prohibited...
(continued from above) In 1988, the Supreme Court prohibited the execution of defendants who were younger than 16 at the time of their crimes
- DECEMBER 26, 2003United StatesDEATH PENALTY
The decision by a Virginia jury to spare Lee Boyd Malvo's...
The decision by a Virginia jury to spare Lee Boyd Malvo's life after finding him guilty in the 2003 Washington-area sniper rampage may hasten a movement to abolish the death penalty for juvenile killers, legal experts say
- DECEMBER 23, 2003United StatesDEATH PENALTY
A jury in Chesapeake, Va
A jury in Chesapeake, Va
- DECEMBER 16, 2003United StatesDEATH PENALTY
Zayd Hassan Abd al-Latif Masud al Safarini pleaded...
Zayd Hassan Abd al-Latif Masud al Safarini pleaded guilty to 95 charges, including murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder, and agreed to a sentence of three consecutive life terms plus 25 years
- DECEMBER 15, 2003United StatesDEATH PENALTY
The United States would not object to Saddam Hussein...
The United States would not object to Saddam Hussein facing the death penalty in an upcoming trial if it is fairly conducted, a senior State Department official said
- DECEMBER 15, 2003United StatesDEATH PENALTY
Mexico accused the United States at an International...
Mexico accused the United States at an International Court of Justice hearing on of violating international law over its treatment of more than 50 Mexican nationals on death row
- DECEMBER 1, 2003United StatesDEATH PENALTY
The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to decide whether...
The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to decide whether its decision that overturned the death penalty laws of five states 18 months ago should be applied retroactively
- NOVEMBER 25, 2003United StatesDEATH PENALTY
Australian officials said that the United States promised...
Australian officials said that the United States promised not to seek the death penalty against two Australian citizens being held at a detention camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, with others captured during the war on terrorism
- NOVEMBER 5, 2003United StatesDEATH PENALTY
In an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote, the House of...
In an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote, the House of Representatives passed legislation to give death-row inmates greater access to DNA testing to prove their innocence
- OCTOBER 7, 2003United StatesDEATH PENALTY
Life In Prison Ruling Affirmed For 2 Death Penalty...
Life In Prison Ruling Affirmed For 2 Death Penalty Inmates---U
- OCTOBER 2, 2003United StatesDEATH PENALTY
Judge Leonie M
Judge Leonie M