MS SB2489

Raises the age threshold for circuit court jurisdiction of violent crimes from unspecified to at least 15 years old, requiring the offense to cause death or serious bodily injury to another person.

Restricts transfer of jurisdiction from youth court to circuit court to offenses that caused bodily injury to another person, requiring the youth court prosecutor to file a motion (removing the youth court's ability to transfer on its own motion).

Requires the youth court to find by clear and convincing evidence that there are no reasonable prospects of rehabilitation within the juvenile justice system before transferring jurisdiction to circuit court.

Clarifies that once a youth is transferred to or in original circuit court jurisdiction, the circuit court retains jurisdiction over all future felony offenses without additional transfer proceedings.

Effective date of July 1, 2019.