MS SB2259

Requires children to be at least 15 years old to be tried in circuit court for offenses that would result in life imprisonment or death if committed by an adult, and the offense must cause death or serious bodily injury to another person.

Requires children to be at least 15 years old to be tried in circuit court for felony offenses involving deadly weapons (as defined in Section 97-37-1), shotguns, or rifles, and the offense must cause death or serious bodily injury to another person.

Allows youth courts to transfer jurisdiction to circuit court only for offenses that caused bodily injury to another person, requiring clear and convincing evidence that the child has no reasonable prospects of rehabilitation within the juvenile justice system.

Removes language allowing youth court transfers based on firearm possession or use offenses by children 15 and older, making such offenses non-transferable to adult court.

Effective date of July 1, 2023.