Bill > SB2821

This bill establishes the crime of "capital sexual battery" in Mississippi, which applies to individuals 18 years or older who commit sexual battery against a person under 12 years old, or injure the sexual organs of such a victim during an attempted sexual battery. If convicted of this capital felony, the defendant faces a separate sentencing proceeding to determine whether they should receive the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole. The bill outlines a detailed process for this sentencing proceeding, including the presentation of aggravating factors (reasons to impose the death penalty) and mitigating circumstances (reasons to impose a lesser sentence), jury recommendations, and the judge's final decision. It also specifies that if the death penalty is not imposed, life imprisonment without parole will be the sentence. The bill amends existing laws to conform to these new provisions, including those related to parole eligibility for individuals convicted of capital offenses and the procedures for entering protection orders into a statewide registry.

Justice

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/SB/SB2821.xml