3.8.3 Previous Conviction of Offense for which a Sentence of Death or Life Imprisonment Was Authorized is a legal term used to describe a criminal conviction of a crime punishable by either the death penalty or life imprisonment. This type of conviction can be used as an aggravating factor during the sentencing of an offender and can result in a harsher sentence being imposed. Examples of offenses which could result in a previous conviction of offense for which a sentence of death or life imprisonment was authorized include murder, terrorism, rape, kidnapping, and certain drug related offenses.