Capital Sentencing

Capital sentencing refers to the legal process of determining whether a person convicted of a serious crime, typically murder, should receive the death penalty. During this phase, jurors or judges consider various factors, including the severity of the crime, the defendant’s background, and any mitigating or aggravating circumstances. The decision is often complex, weighing moral, legal, and societal implications. If the death penalty is imposed, the individual is sentenced to death; if not, they may receive a lengthy prison sentence instead. This process is distinct and separate from the initial trial for the crime itself.