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       Fox News Flash top headlines for Feb. 18 Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

       Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, has become a less frequently used penalty over the years, but it is still in effect in several states.

       For the fifth straight year, fewer than 30 people were executed and less than 50 people were sentenced to death in the U.S. last year.

       In fact, half of U.S. states have either abolished the death penalty or implemented a temporary prohibition on executions [moratorium], according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

       DEATH ROW INMATES' LAST WORDS

       Photo of the electric chair used on Florida's death row (Courtesy, Florida Department of Corrections) (Florida Department of Corrections)

       So which states use the death penalty and what methods are allowed?

       States with the death penalty -- methods of execution

       Alabama -- Lethal injection and electrocution.

       Arizona -- Lethal injection, lethal gas if sentenced before Nov 15, 1992.

       Arkansas -- Lethal injection, electrocution if sentenced before July 4, 1983.

       California (Further executions halted by 2019 moratoria) -- Choice of injection or gas.

       CALIFORNIA TO MOVE HUNDREDS OF INMATES OFF LARGEST DEATH ROW; EX-DA CALLS IT 'SLAP TO THE FACE' OF VICTIMS

       Colorado (Further executions halted by 2013 moratoria) -- Lethal injection.

       Florida -- Choice of injection or electrocution.

       Georgia -- Lethal injection.

       Idaho -- Lethal injection.

       Indiana -- Lethal injection.

       Kansas -- Lethal injection.

       Kentucky -- Lethal injection, electrocution if sentenced before March 31, 1998.

       Louisiana -- Lethal injection.

       Mississippi -- Lethal injection.

       Missouri -- Lethal injection or gas.

       Montana -- Lethal injection.

       Nebraska -- Lethal injection.

       Nevada -- Lethal injection.

       North Carolina -- Lethal injection.

       Ohio -- Injection (one drug protocol).

       Oklahoma -- Lethal injection, electrocution or firing squad (if injection deemed unconstitutional).

       OKLAHOMA TO RESUME EXECUTIONS

       Oregon (Further executions halted by 2011 moratoria) -- Lethal injection.

       Pennsylvania (Further executions halted by 2015 moratoria) -- Lethal injection.

       South Carolina -- Lethal injection or electrocution.

       South Dakota -- Lethal injection.

       Tennessee -- Lethal injection, electrocution if sentenced before Dec 31. 1998.

       Texas -- Lethal injection.

       Utah -- Lethal injection, firing squad if lethal injection found unconstitutional. Firing squad if sentenced before May 3, 2004.

       Virginia -- Lethal injection or electrocution.

       Wyoming -- Lethal injection, gas if lethal injection found unconstitutional.

       States without the death penalty

       Alaska

       Connecticut

       Delaware

       Hawaii

       Illinois

       Iowa

       Maine

       FATE OF FLORIDA DEATH ROW INMATES UNCERTAIN AFTER COURT RULING

       Maryland

       Massachusetts

       Michigan

       Minnesota

       New Hampshire

       New Jersey

       New Mexico

       New York

       North Dakota

       Rhode Island

       Vermont

       Washington

       West Virginia

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       Wisconsin