Which of the following best describes the nature of a capital felony?

A capital felony is defined as a serious crime for which a person can face the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The term is most commonly associated with crimes that are considered heinous and egregious, such as first-degree murder. This classification underscores the severity of the offense and recognizes the potential consequences involved.

In contrast, minor theft offenses would not qualify as capital felonies, as those typically fall under less severe categories of crime. The idea that capital felonies are punishable only by probation is inaccurate, as probation is not an option for such serious offenses. Additionally, non-violent offenses do not meet the threshold of severity required to be classified as capital felonies, since these are reserved for violent and serious crimes. Therefore, the correct description of a capital felony is one that encompasses severe crimes like first-degree murder, marking it as a significant part of the criminal justice system's response to grave offenses.