North Carolina § 15-187 - Death by administration of lethal drugs.
Full text of North Carolina North Carolina General Statutes § 15-187 — Death by administration of lethal drugs., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 15-187. Death by administration of lethal drugs.
Death by electrocution under sentence of law and death by the administration of lethal gas under sentence of law are abolished. Any person convicted of a criminal offense and sentenced to death shall be executed in accordance with G.S. 15-188 and the remainder of this Article. The warden of Central Prison may obtain and employ the drugs necessary to carry out the provisions of this Article, regardless of contrary provisions in Chapter 90 of the General Statutes. History (1909, ch. 443, s. 1; C.S., s. 4657; 1935, c. 294, s. 1; 1983, c. 678, ss. 1, 4; 1998-212, s. 17.22(a); 2015-198, s. 5.) Cross References. - As to punishment for capital crimes committed before July 1, 1935, see G.S. 15-191. Editor's Note. - Session Laws 1983, c. 678, s. 4, was formerly noted in Editor's Notes at G.S. 15-187, 15-188, and 15-190. It has now been codified as the last sentence in this section at the direction of the Revisor of Statutes. Effect of Amendments. - Session Laws 2015-198, s. 5, effective August 5, 2015, substituted "in accordance with G.S. 15-188 and the remainder of this Article" for "only by the administration of a lethal quantity of an ultrashort acting barbiturate in combination with a chemical paralytic agent" at the end of the second sentence. Legal Periodicals. - For comment on capital punishment and evolving standards of decency, see 16 Wake Forest L. Rev. 737 (1980). For comment on capital punishment in North Carolina, see 59 N.C.L. Rev. 911 (1981). For article, "The Truth About Physician Participation in Lethal Injection Executions," see 88 N.C.L. Rev. 11 (2009). For article, "Muscle Memory and the Local Concentration of Capital Punishment," see 66 Duke L.J. 259 (2016).
Source: official North Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina § 15-187
What does North Carolina General Statutes § 15-187 cover?
Section 15-187 ("Death by administration of lethal drugs.") is part of the North Carolina General Statutes, the codified statutory law of North Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite North Carolina § 15-187?
A common citation format is "North Carolina General Statutes § 15-187" (North Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of North Carolina law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the North Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed North Carolina attorney.
How does North Carolina § 15-187 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in North Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in North Carolina.