What are capital charges?

A "capital offense" is a serious crime for which a person can be punished by death. Definitions of what should and what should not be considered a capital charge vary from state to state in the United States.

Capital offenses are normally characterized as crimes involving murder or the betrayal of one's country. An example of what would be considered a capital offense is murder with a deadly weapon or treason. Prior to a 1977 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, the rape of an adult woman was considered a capital offense. Generally, any crime that can be legally punished by death is considered a capital charge.