Missouri House Bill HB118

Missouri 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/8/25
• Refer: 5/15/25

Caption

Abolishes the death penalty and specifies that any person sentenced to death must be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole

Impact

If passed, the bill will revise numerous sections of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, specifically repealing existing legal provisions that govern the death penalty and replacing them with sections that enforce life imprisonment as the maximum punishment. This change could have far-reaching implications on the justice system, particularly concerning how severe felonies are prosecuted and sentenced in the state.

Summary

House Bill 118 seeks to abolish the death penalty within the state of Missouri. Rather than allowing for capital punishment, the bill stipulates that any individual who would have been sentenced to death must instead receive a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. This marks a significant shift in Missouri's approach to sentencing for serious crimes, particularly murder in the first degree.

Contention

The bill may face significant contention. Supporters argue that abolishing the death penalty aligns with evolving societal views on punishment and the moral implications of capital punishment. They point to the risk of wrongful convictions and the financial burden of death penalty cases. Opponents, however, may contend that this move undermines justice for victims and their families, rooting for the continuation of capital punishment as a necessary tool for the most egregious crimes.