The Volokh Conspiracy - New Jersey to Become First State in Over 40 Years to Ban Death Penalty:

News story here. I believe that makes the count 37 states "for" the death penalty and 13 states "against." Like a lot of states that have the death penalty on the books, New Jersey's was more symbolic than anything else; although defendants were occasionally sentenced to death, I believe the state hadn't actually executed any one in decades.

I tend to support the death penalty, but I have to say I'm a big fan of the fact that New Jersey is banning it the old-fashioned way -- through the elected branches.

	[Orin Kerr, December 13, 2007 at 10:32pm] Trackbacks New Jersey to Become First State in Over 40 Years to Ban Death Penalty: News story here. I believe that makes the count 37 states "for" the death penalty and 13 states "against." Like a lot of states that have the death penalty on the books, New Jersey's was more symbolic than anything else; although defendants were occasionally sentenced to death, I believe the state hadn't actually executed any one in decades. I tend to support the death penalty, but I have to say I'm a big fan of the fact that New Jersey is banning it the old-fashioned way -- through the elected branches.