MS SB2425

Prohibits death sentences for defendants under 18 years old at the time of the offense and requires a judge (not jury) to conduct sentencing proceedings for juvenile offenders convicted of murder.

Allows judges to sentence juvenile murderers to life imprisonment, life without parole, or fixed terms (20-40 years for first-degree murder, 15-30 years for second-degree murder, 25-50 years for capital murder) if life sentence is deemed unjustified.

Requires judges considering sentences for juveniles to evaluate the defendant's youth, capacity for change, criminal intent, understanding of consequences, and whether they are incorrigible.

Makes parole eligibility available to persons sentenced as juveniles after serving at least 20 years of their sentence, regardless of whether the sentence was life or a term of years.

Applies these provisions retroactively to all juvenile offenders regardless of when the offense was committed, arrest was made, or conviction was entered.