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
JUNE 25, 2008United StatesDEATH PENALTYUSA. SUPREME COURT REJECTS DEATH PENALTY FOR RAPING CHILDREN
The Supreme Court outlawed executions of people convicted of raping a child. In a 5-4 vote, the court said the Louisiana law allowing the death penalty to be imposed in such cases violates the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
JUNE 19, 2008MexicoDEATH PENALTYMEXICO ASKS WORLD COURT TO HALT U.S. EXECUTIONS
Mexico asked the World Court to take urgent steps to stop imminent U.S. executions
- JUNE 13, 2008United StatesDEATH PENALTY
USA. COURT RULING A BLOW TO BUSH, BUT OFFICIAL SAYS TRIALS TO PROCEED
The US Supreme Court ruling that Guantanamo prisoners can challenge their detention
- JUNE 12, 2008United StatesDEATH PENALTY
the number of people under supervision in the nation's criminal justice system rose to 7.2 million in 2006, the highest ever.
the number of people under supervision in the nation's criminal justice system rose to 7.2 million in 2006, the highest ever.
JUNE 12, 2008United StatesDEATH PENALTYUSA. GUANTANAMO INMATES MAY SEEK RELEASE IN COURT, HIGH COURT SAYS
The US Supreme Court ruled that foreign terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay have
- JUNE 9, 2008United StatesDEATH PENALTY
The country's murder rate declined 2.7% in 2007.
The country's murder rate declined 2.7% in 2007.
JUNE 6, 2008SyriaDEATH PENALTYSPAIN TO EXTRADITE SUSPECTED ARMS DEALER TO US
The Spanish government authorised the extradition to the United States of a suspected Syrian
- JUNE 5, 2008MexicoDEATH PENALTY
Mexico has returned to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in seeking a stay of execution for Mexican-born inmates in the U.S.
Mexico has returned to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in seeking a stay of execution for Mexican-born inmates in the U.S.
- MAY 28, 2008United StatesDEATH PENALTY
two leading American grassroots organisations have...
two leading American grassroots organisations have come together to raise awareness about the execution of mentally ill defendants.
- MAY 19, 2008MexicoDEATH PENALTY
Mexican-born Ramiro Rubi Ibarra lost an appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court
Mexican-born Ramiro Rubi Ibarra lost an appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court
MAY 14, 2008United StatesDEATH PENALTYEU CONDEMNS US RESUMPTION OF EXECUTIONS
the European Union condemned the resumption of judicial executions in the United
- MAY 13, 2008United StatesDEATH PENALTY
The head of the Pentagon's war crimes tribunal approved death penalty charges Tuesday against 5 alleged Sept. 11 conspirators
The head of the Pentagon's war crimes tribunal approved death penalty charges Tuesday against 5 alleged Sept. 11 conspirators