Mississippi Enacts Law Making Sexual Battery of Child Under 12 a Capital Offense
Mississippi has enacted a new law that makes the sexual battery of a child under 12 a capital offense, eligible for the death penalty. If a death sentence is not imposed, the penalty will be life in prison without parole.…
Charlotte, NC, August 14, 2026 —
Mississippi has passed a new law establishing the sexual battery of a child under 12 years old as a capital offense, making it punishable by death. If a death sentence is not handed down in such cases, the convicted individual will face a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The legislation was authored by Sen. Jeremy England, who stated that the law is intended to address crimes committed against the state’s most vulnerable population. Proponents of the law argue it provides a stringent measure to protect children.
However, the law has drawn criticism from opponents of the death penalty. Abraham Bonowitz, representing Death Penalty Action, has voiced concerns that the death penalty may not be the most effective or appropriate response. Bonowitz suggested that life imprisonment without parole is a sufficient penalty and raised the possibility that the death penalty could inadvertently discourage victims from coming forward, particularly in cases where the perpetrator is someone known to the child.
The debate surrounding the law highlights ongoing discussions about capital punishment, child protection, and the potential consequences of severe sentencing laws on victim reporting and the broader justice system.
Story summarized from the original created by Courtney Ann Jackson on www.wbtv.com, see more information here.
