What is defined as a capital case?

A capital case is specifically defined as a legal case where the death penalty may be imposed if the defendant is found guilty. This designation applies primarily to serious criminal offenses, particularly murder cases, where the prosecution seeks the most severe punishment available under law. The term "capital" denotes the potential for capital punishment, thereby highlighting the gravity and complexity involved in legal proceedings surrounding such cases.

While other types of cases may involve significant legal considerations, such as civil issues, felony charges, or property disputes, they do not carry the same implications for life and death that define capital cases. In a capital case, the legal process is particularly rigorous, requiring heightened procedural safeguards to ensure fairness, such as jury selection processes that are attentive to the moral implications of imposing the death penalty. This underscores the importance of the classification, as the stakes are profoundly higher in capital cases compared to other legal matters.