MS HB1079

Amends Mississippi law to prohibit death sentences for defendants who were under 18 years old at the time of the offense, conforming to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Miller v. Alabama.

Allows juvenile offenders convicted of first, second, or capital murder to be sentenced to life imprisonment or life imprisonment without parole eligibility only after a separate sentencing proceeding conducted by a judge without a jury.

If a judge finds life imprisonment unjustified for a juvenile offender, establishes alternative sentence ranges: 20-40 years for first-degree murder, 15-30 years for second-degree murder, and 25-50 years for capital murder.

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

Takes effect July 1, 2023.