A capital case is one where the defendant is charged with first-degree murder and the state has decided to seek the death penalty as punishment if the defendant is convicted. A capital case involves several phases: Trial, Aggravation Phase, Penalty Phase.
What is an example of a capital offense?
Murder, Kidnapping, Rape, Treason, Robbery, Train Robbery, Bombing. Murder, Perjury in Capital Cases, Treason. Murder, Kidnapping. Murder, Kidnapping, Rape, Treason, Train Robbery, Dynamiting, Killing someone in the course of attempting to escape prison.
How many stages are in a capital case?
STATE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT LEGAL PROCESS Each state practicing capital punishment has different laws regarding its methods and crimes that qualify. Typically, it involves four critical steps: Sentencing, Direct Review, State Collateral Review, and Federal Habeas Corpus.
What is the most common capital offense?
Capital offense—A criminal offense punishable by death. Offenses that are eligible for a death sentence are defined by statute in each jurisdiction that authorizes capital punishment. The most common is first-degree murder accompanied by at least one aggravating factor.
What is a capital case in California?
A capital offense, also referred to as a capital crime, is an offense that is punishable by death. First degree murder, depending on the aggravating circumstances may be charged as a capital offense in certain states. Conviction for a capital offense results in capital punishment.