BOISE, ID – A new Idaho law permitting the death penalty for individuals convicted of lewd conduct with children under the age of 12 will take effect July 1.
House Bill 380, signed by Governor Brad Little in April, authorizes courts to impose capital punishment in certain aggravated child sex abuse cases. Prosecutors may seek the death penalty if the defendant meets at least three out of 17 specific criteria. These include committing three or more instances of lewd conduct with a minor, using physical force, or transmitting a sexually transmitted disease to a child.
In addition to expanding the use of capital punishment, the law increases penalties for other child sex offenses.
Governor Little called the abuse of children “sickening and evil” and said the crimes warrant the most severe punishment available. He also noted that Idaho is now the only state where the primary execution method is death by firing squad, which would apply under this new law.
Attorney General Raúl Labrador supported the legislation, stating it provides a necessary level of protection for Idaho’s children and future generations.
