Legal Definitions - capital case

A capital case is a criminal prosecution where the most severe possible punishment, if the defendant is found guilty, is the death penalty. These cases typically involve the most serious felonies, such as certain categories of murder, and are subject to highly rigorous legal standards and often lengthy appeals processes due to the irreversible nature of the potential sentence.

• Example 1: Premeditated Murder

  A defendant is charged in a state that permits capital punishment after meticulously planning and carrying out the murder of a rival business owner. Evidence shows the defendant spent weeks tracking the victim's movements, acquiring a weapon, and staging the crime scene to avoid detection.

  This scenario illustrates a capital case because the crime involves premeditated murder, which in many jurisdictions is a capital offense, meaning the prosecution can seek the death penalty if the defendant is convicted.

• Example 2: Felony Murder

  During an armed bank robbery, one of the robbers fires a weapon, resulting in the death of a bank teller. Even if the robber claims the shooting was accidental or not intended, all individuals involved in the robbery in a state with capital punishment could face charges that make them eligible for the death penalty.

  This demonstrates a capital case under the felony-murder doctrine. When a death occurs during the commission of a dangerous felony (like armed robbery), all participants in the felony can be held responsible for the death, potentially making them eligible for capital punishment in jurisdictions where it is allowed.