Alabama’s legal system handles capital offense cases with rigorous procedures. These cases involve potential death penalty sentencing and require a bifurcated trial process, which means the trial is split into two parts. The first part of the trial determines whether the accused is guilty or innocent, and the second part, if the accused is found guilty, is called the mitigation phase, where defense counsel fights to save the Defendant’s life.

Defendants in Alabama capital offense cases are entitled to legal counsel, and the jury must unanimously agree on guilt. A jury can recommend the death penalty with the support of at least 10 out of 12 jurors.