Definition of 'capital offender'

[marenparn]

Does the term 'capital offender' mean only 'a person punishable by death', or may it also mean 'a person who has committed a murder' (i.e that he/she does not necessarily get a capital verdict)

[Casiopea]

According to one dictionary, a capital offense is "any criminal charge which is punishable by the death penalty, called "capital" since the defendant could lose his/her head (Latin for caput). Crimes punishable by death vary from state to state and country to country. In some American states these offenses may include first degree murder ... " Read more here ...

Does that help?

[marenparn]

Thanks. Unfortunately, this was what I could figure out on my own. My problem is that I have to translate this f*****g term, but in the context (rehabilitation on adolescent offenders), it doesn't make any sense - why to train people who will be put to death anyway. This not about the offence (it might be murder, rape, arson, you name it), this is about the type of criminal.

[Casiopea]

You may want to take a look here, Child Welfare League of America: Programs: Juvenile Justice Division: Publications

"The Juvenile Justice Division will promote effective alternative sentencing and programming options for juvenile capital offenders through the coordinated and integrated efforts of multiple youth-serving systems."

[marenparn]

Thanks, this link was really enlightning. I think that it helps to solve my porblem

[Casiopea]

That's great news.