Mississippi Criminal Law BlogAccording to WLBT, a Mississippi teenager has pleaded guilty to murder after the death of a 13-year-old boy. On June 27, 2021, the 13-year-old was intentionally set on fire behind a shop in Coldwater, Mississippi. He was rushed to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and later flown to Little Rock, where he died from his injuries.
Campbell, also 13 at the time, was tried as an adult in this case. He was originally indicted for capital murder, but now, two years later, he has plead guilty to a lesser offense of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison to be followed by an additional 20 years of supervised probation for a total of 40 years under the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
Trying Juveniles as Adults in Mississippi:
The issue of trying juveniles as adults has long been in debate. While proponents argue that it serves as a deterrent and promotes public safety, critics claim that it undermines the principles of juvenile justice and hinders rehabilitation efforts. Regardless of these arguments, the state of Mississippi continues to certify juvenile offenders as adults.
Mississippi has laws in place that allow for the transfer of certain juvenile cases to adult court. The decision to transfer is typically made by a judge and is influenced by factors such as the severity of the offense, the age of the juvenile, and their criminal history. The criteria for transfer vary by state, but in Mississippi, the age at which a juvenile can be tried as an adult is as young as 13 years old for certain serious crimes. Murder by a juvenile is considered a serious crime that would transfer the juvenile into adult court for all purposes including trial and sentencing to prison if convicted.
Second Degree Murder by a Juvenile in Mississippi:
In Mississippi, a juvenile’s conviction of second-degree murder falls under the same penalty as an adult. The law states:
“Every person who shall be convicted of second-degree murder shall be imprisoned for life in the custody of the Department of Corrections if the punishment is so fixed by the jury in its verdict after a separate sentencing proceeding. If the jury fails to agree on fixing the penalty at imprisonment for life, the court shall fix the penalty at not less than twenty (20) nor more than forty (40) years in the custody of the Department of Corrections.” Miss. Code Ann. § 97-3-21
Here, a juvenile is tried and held to the same standard as an adult when their actions are those that would have been committed by an adult. Proponents argue that trying juveniles as adults holds them accountable for their actions and serves as a deterrent against future criminal behavior. They contend that serious offenses warrant appropriate punishment, regardless of the offender’s age. This perspective sends a strong message that criminal behavior will not be tolerated, thus protecting public safety.
Critics, however, argue that juveniles possess distinct developmental characteristics that differentiate them from adults. Therefore, juveniles may lack the same level of decision-making abilities as adults, which affects their ability to understand the consequences of their actions. Trying them as adults ignores these developmental factors and denies them the opportunity for rehabilitation and growth.
The issue of trying juveniles as adults in Mississippi remains in debate, with valid arguments on both sides. However, should your child face such serious felony charges charges, you should seek professional counsel and be made aware of the potentially serious consequences that they may face.
Is Your Child Being Tried as an Adult & In Need of an Experienced Attorney?
If you have been searching the Mississippi area for a qualified, experienced criminal defense attorney, look no further than Vic Carmody Jr., P.A. over the years, we have helped numerous defendants pursue favorable outcomes. Although being accused of a serious felony charge resulting in injury or death is not a pleasant experience, there are many potential defense strategies that can be used to defend and lessen the effects of this type of case. Call us today for your free consultation to learn more and get started. Please also see us on mississippi-lawyers.com and view our reviews on avvo.com, superlawyers.com, and martindale.com. Our office phone number is (601) 948-4444 option 1.