I had some discussions on Capital Punishment long time ago on another forum. I had voiced on the need for such a punishment on the worst on criminals, while many people talked about the need to be more humane, and some people even accused Capital Punishment as a wicked doctrine.

Let us discuss this here, mainly from the point of view of Dharma, and also from social and cultural perspectives.

Is this law to be global and universal? Or restricted to certain places as we have now? Or should be completely banned?
Under what circumstances should this be employed?
How does Capital Punishment compare to life imprisonment?
Does Captial Punishment serve as a deterrent to violent crime?
etc