Capital Offense Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Capital Offense.

Capital Offense (noun)

A capital offense is a very serious crime, typically involving planned murders, multiple murders, or in some cases, drug trafficking, among other crimes. These are crimes that are punishable by the most severe penalty possible, usually the death penalty, if the person accused is found guilty. However, what constitutes a capital offense can vary from state to state or country to country.