Mississippi Law to Charge Teens as Adults for Certain Gun Crimes Takes Effect July 1, 2026

A major change in Mississippi criminal law is coming this summer. Beginning July 1, 2026, prosecutors will have more power to charge juveniles as adults in certain cases involving firearms.

The new law, signed by Governor Tate Reeves, expands when minors can be tried in adult court for gun-related offenses. This marks a significant shift in how the state handles serious cases involving teens.

What the New Law Actually Does

Under the previous system, most cases involving minors stayed in youth court, even when guns were involved. That is changing. The new law gives prosecutors more discretion to move certain gun cases involving juveniles into adult criminal court.

Here’s what this means in practice:

• Some gun crimes committed by teens can now be charged in adult court
• Juveniles facing these charges can receive much harsher sentences
• They lose many of the protections that come with being in the juvenile system
• A conviction will follow them into adulthood as part of their permanent record

Why This Matters for Families

This is one of the biggest changes to Mississippi’s juvenile justice system in years. When a minor is charged as an adult, the case is no longer focused on rehabilitation. Instead, it becomes a regular criminal case with much higher stakes.

For families across the Pine Belt and South Mississippi, this means even first-time offenses involving firearms can now have serious, long-term consequences. A conviction can affect a young person’s ability to go to college, find a job, or even rent an apartment later in life.

What Parents Should Know

If your child is facing any kind of gun charge, it is important to understand that the rules have changed. Prosecutors now have more options to pursue adult charges. Getting experienced legal help early can make a real difference in how the case is handled.

Key things to keep in mind:

• Juveniles charged as adults lose the confidentiality protections of youth court
• Adult court sentencing guidelines are much stricter
• Early involvement of a criminal defense attorney can sometimes help keep a case in juvenile court or reduce the charges

How We Approach These Cases

At Lowrey, Fortner, & Miri P.A., we handle both juvenile and adult criminal cases. We understand how high the stakes are when a young person is facing serious charges. Our goal is always to protect our clients’ rights and work toward the best possible outcome, whether that means fighting to keep the case in juvenile court, negotiating with prosecutors, or preparing a strong defense.

Arman Miri is a partner at Lowrey, Fortner, & Miri P.A. in Hattiesburg. He focuses his practice on criminal defense in both state and federal courts and regularly handles serious cases involving firearms and juveniles.