SB2227

Mississippi SB2227 revises sentencing for violent habitual offenders, requiring jury determination for life imprisonment.

Mississippi SB2227 amends the sentencing for violent habitual offenders by requiring a jury to determine if life imprisonment is appropriate. The jury must unanimously find sufficient aggravating factors and insufficient mitigating circumstances. Aggravating factors include the offense being committed by a person under sentence of imprisonment or to disrupt lawful governmental functions. Mitigating factors include mental health or substance abuse issues. If the jury decides against life imprisonment, the court will set the penalty at the maximum term for the felony.