Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-17 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 19 / Section 23-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-17
Status: in_force

With regard to any intervention court, the Administrative Office of Courts shall do the following:

(a) Certify and re-certify intervention court applications that meet standards established by the Administrative Office of Courts in accordance with this chapter.

(b) Ensure that the structure of the intervention component complies with rules adopted under this section and applicable federal regulations.

(c) Revoke the authorization of a program upon a determination that the program does not comply with rules adopted under this section and applicable federal regulations.

(d) Make agreements and contracts to effectuate the purposes of this chapter with:

(i) Another department, authority or agency of the state;

(ii) Another state;

(iii) The federal government;

(iv) A state-supported or private university; or

(v) A public or private agency, foundation, corporation or individual.

(e) Directly, or by contract, approve and certify any intervention component established under this chapter.

(f) Require, as a condition of operation, that each intervention court created or funded under this chapter be certified by the Administrative Office of Courts.

(g) Collect monthly data reports submitted by all certified intervention courts, provide those reports to the State Intervention Courts Advisory Committee, compile an annual report summarizing the data collected and the outcomes achieved by all certified intervention courts and submit the annual report to the Oversight Task Force.

(h) Every three (3) years contract with an external evaluator to conduct an evaluation of the effectiveness of the intervention court program, both statewide and individual intervention court programs, in complying with the key components of the intervention courts adopted by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.

(i) Adopt rules to implement this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-53 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 5-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-53
Status: in_force

The Eighteenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:

(a) Benton County;

(b) Calhoun County;

(c) Lafayette County;

(d) Marshall County; and

(e) Tippah County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-124 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-124
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-124
Status: in_force

(1) The board of supervisors of any county, in its discretion, may authorize the circuit clerk of the county to appoint one or more temporary full-time or temporary part-time deputies for the purpose of assisting the circuit clerk in the performance of duties relating to certification of signatures on initiative petitions as provided by Section 23-17-21 .

(2) The salary of any temporary deputy clerk appointed under the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall be established by the board of supervisors and paid out of any available funds in the county general fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-1-36 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 1-36
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-1-36
Status: in_force

(1) Each circuit judge and chancellor shall receive an office operating allowance for the expenses of operating the office of the judge, including retaining a law clerk, legal research, stenographic help, stationery, stamps, furniture, office equipment, telephone, office rent and other items and expenditures necessary and incident to maintaining the office of judge which may include expenses to travel out of state once per state fiscal year for continuing legal education classes and or seminars if approved by the Chief Justice. The allowance shall be paid only to the extent of actual expenses incurred by the judge as itemized and certified by the judge to the Supreme Court in the amounts set forth in this subsection; however, the judge may expend sums in excess thereof from the compensation otherwise provided for his office.

From and after July 1, 2023, the office operating allowance under this subsection shall be Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) per annum.

(2) In addition to the amounts provided for in subsection (1), there is created a separate office allowance fund for the purpose of providing support staff to judges. This fund shall be managed by the Administrative Office of Courts.

(3) Each judge who desires to employ support staff must have each candidate approved by the Administrative Office of Courts before the positions may be filled. The Administrative Office of Courts shall not approve any hire which does not first require the expenditure of the funds in the support staff fund for compensation of any of the support staff before expenditure is authorized of county funds for that purpose. Upon approval by the Administrative Office of Courts, the judge or judges may appoint the employees to the position or positions, and each employee so appointed will work at the will and pleasure of the judge or judges who appointed him but will be employees of the Administrative Office of Courts. Upon approval by the Administrative Office of Courts, the appointment of any support staff shall be evidenced by the entry of an order on the minutes of the court. When support staff is appointed jointly by two (2) or more judges, the order setting forth any appointment shall be entered on the minutes of each participating court.

(4) Support staff shall receive compensation pursuant to personnel policies established by the Administrative Office of Courts. Each judge shall be allotted the amount of One Hundred Thirty Thousand Dollars ($130,000.00) per fiscal year for all support staff approved by the Administrative Office of Courts.

The Administrative Office of Courts may approve expenditures from the fund for additional equipment for support staff appointed pursuant to this section in any year in which the allocation per judge is sufficient to meet the equipment expense after provision for the compensation of the support staff.

(5) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meaning ascribed in this subsection unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) “ Judges ” means circuit judges and chancellors, or any combination thereof.

(b) “ Support staff ” means court administrators, law clerks, legal research assistants or secretaries, or any combination thereof, but shall not mean school attendance officers.

(c) “ Compensation ” means the gross salary plus all amounts paid for benefits or otherwise as a result of employment or as required by employment; however, only salary earned for services rendered shall be reported and credited for Public Employees' Retirement System purposes. Amounts paid for benefits or otherwise, including reimbursement for travel expenses, shall not be reported or credited for retirement purposes.

(d) “ Law clerk ” means a clerk hired to assist a judge or judges who has a law degree or who is a full-time law student who is making satisfactory progress at an accredited law school.

(6) Title to all tangible property, excepting stamps, stationery and minor expendable office supplies, procured with funds authorized by this section, shall be and forever remain in the State of Mississippi to be used by the circuit judge or chancellor during the term of his office and thereafter by his successors.

(7) Any circuit judge or chancellor who did not have a primary office provided by the county on March 1, 1988, shall be allowed an additional Seven Thousand Dollars ($7,000.00) per annum to defray the actual expenses incurred by the judge or chancellor in maintaining an office; however, any circuit judge or chancellor who had a primary office provided by the county on March 1, 1988, and who vacated the office space after that date for a legitimate reason, as determined by the Department of Finance and Administration, shall be allowed the additional office expense allowance provided under this subsection. The county in which a circuit judge or chancellor sits is authorized to provide funds from any available source to assist in defraying the actual expenses to maintain an office.

(8) The Supreme Court, through the Administrative Office of Courts, shall submit to the Department of Finance and Administration the itemized and certified expenses for office operating allowances that are directed to the court pursuant to this section.

(9) The Supreme Court, through the Administrative Office of Courts, shall have the power to adopt rules and regulations regarding the administration of the office operating allowance authorized pursuant to this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-25-1 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 21 / Section 25-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-25-1
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature recognizes that our military veterans have provided an invaluable service to our country. In doing so, many may have suffered the effects of, including, but not limited to, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and depression, and may also suffer drug and alcohol dependency or addiction and co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse problems. As a result of this, some veterans come into contact with the criminal justice system and are charged with felony offenses. There is a critical need for the justice system to recognize these veterans, provide accountability for their wrongdoing, provide for the safety of the public, and provide for the treatment of our veterans. It is the intent of the Legislature to create a framework for which specialized veterans treatment courts may be established at the circuit court level and at the discretion of the circuit court judge.

(2) Authorization. A circuit court judge may establish a Veterans Treatment Court program. The Veterans Treatment Court may, at the discretion of the circuit court judge, be a separate court program or as a component of an existing intervention court program. At the discretion of the circuit court judge, the Veterans Treatment Court may be operated in one (1) county within the circuit court district, and allow veteran participants from all counties within the circuit court district to participate.

(3) Eligibility. (a) In order to be eligible to participate in a Veterans Treatment Court program established under this section, the attorney representing the state must consent to the defendant's participation in the program. Further, the court in which the criminal case is pending must have found that the defendant is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces as defined in Title 38 USCS.

(b) Participation in the services of an alcohol and drug intervention component shall only be open to the individuals over whom the court has jurisdiction, except that the court may agree to provide the services for individuals referred from another Veterans Treatment Court. In cases transferred from another jurisdiction, the receiving judge shall act as a special master and make recommendations to the sentencing judge.

(c)(i) As a condition of participation in a Veterans Treatment Court, a participant may be required to undergo a chemical test or a series of chemical tests as specified by the Veterans Treatment Court program. A participant may be held liable for costs associated with all chemical tests required under this section. However, a judge may waive any fees for testing.

(ii) A laboratory that performs chemical tests under this section shall report the results of the tests to the Veterans Treatment Courts.

(d) A person does not have the right to participate in a Veterans Treatment Court program under this chapter. The court having jurisdiction over a person for a matter before the court shall have the final determination about whether the person may participate in the Veterans Treatment Court program.

(e) A defendant shall be excluded from participating in a Veterans Treatment Court program if any one (1) of the following applies:

(i) The crime before the court is a crime of violence as set forth in paragraph (c) of this subsection.

(ii) The defendant does not demonstrate a willingness to participate in a treatment program.

(iii) The defendant has been previously convicted of a felony crime of violence including, but not limited to: murder, rape, sexual battery, statutory rape of a child under the age of sixteen (16), armed robbery, arson, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, stalking, or any offense involving the discharge of a firearm or where serious bodily injury or death resulted to any person.

(f) The court in which the criminal case is pending shall allow an eligible defendant to choose whether to proceed through the Veterans Treatment Court program or otherwise through the justice system.

(g) Proof of matters under this section may be submitted to the court in which the criminal case is pending in any form the court determines to be appropriate, including military service and medical records, previous determinations of a disability by a veteran's organization or by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, testimony or affidavits of other veterans or service members, and prior determinations of eligibility for benefits by any state or county veterans office.

(4) Administrative Office of Courts. With regard to any Veterans Treatment Court established under this chapter, the Administrative Office of Courts may do the following:

(a) Ensure that the structure of the intervention component complies with rules adopted under this chapter and applicable federal regulations.

(b) Revoke the authorization of a program upon a determination that the program does not comply with rules adopted under this chapter and applicable federal regulations.

(c) Enter into agreements and contracts to effectuate the purposes of this chapter with:

(i) Another department, authority, or agency of the state;

(ii) Another state;

(iii) The federal government;

(iv) A state-supported or private university; or

(v) A public or private agency, foundation, corporation, or individual.

(d) Directly, or by contract, approve and certify any intervention component established under this chapter.

(e) Require, as a condition of operation, that each veterans court created or funded under this chapter be certified by the Administrative Office of Courts.

(f) Adopt rules to implement this chapter.

(5) State Intervention Court Advisory Committee. (a) The State Intervention Court Advisory Committee shall be responsible for developing statewide rules and policies as they relate to Veterans Treatment Court programs.

(b) The State Intervention Court Advisory Committee may also make recommendations to the Chief Justice, the Director of the Administrative Office of Courts and state officials concerning improvements to Veterans Treatment Court policies and procedures.

(c) The State Intervention Court Advisory Committee shall act as an arbiter of disputes arising out of the operation of Veterans Treatment Court programs established under this chapter and make recommendations to improve the Veterans Treatment Court programs.

(6) Funding for Veterans Treatment Courts. (a) All monies received from any source by the Veterans Treatment Court program shall be accumulated in a fund to be used only for Veterans Treatment Court purposes. Any funds remaining in this fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not lapse into the General Fund, but shall be retained in the Veterans Treatment Court fund for the funding of further activities by the Veterans Treatment Court program.

(b) A Veterans Treatment Court program may apply for and receive the following:

(i) Gifts, bequests and donations from private sources.

(ii) Grant and contract money from governmental sources.

(iii) Other forms of financial assistance approved by the court to supplement the budget of the Veterans Treatment Court program.

(7) Immunity. The coordinator and members of the professional and administrative staff of the Veterans Treatment Court program who perform duties in good faith under this chapter are immune from civil liability for:

(a) Acts or omissions in providing services under this chapter; and

(b) The reasonable exercise of discretion in determining eligibility to participate in the Veterans Treatment Court program.

(8) This section shall be codified as a separate article in Title 9, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-2 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 11-2
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-2
Status: in_force

(1) From and after January 1, 1984, there shall be a competent number of justice court judges in each county of the state. The number of justice court judges for each county shall be determined as follows:

(a) In counties with a population, according to the latest federal decennial census, of thirty-five thousand (35,000) and less, there shall be two (2) justice court judges.

(b) In counties with a population, according to the latest federal decennial census, of more than thirty-five thousand (35,000) and less than seventy thousand (70,000), there shall be three (3) justice court judges, unless the board of supervisors, by resolution duly spread upon its minutes, finds that two (2) is a competent number of justice court judges to adequately handle the needs of the citizens of the county.

(c) In counties with a population, according to the latest federal decennial census, of seventy thousand (70,000) and less than one hundred fifty thousand (150,000), there shall be four (4) justice court judges, unless the board of supervisors, by resolution duly spread upon its minutes, finds that three (3) is a competent number of justice court judges to adequately handle the needs of the citizens of the county.

(d) In counties with a population, according to the latest federal decennial census, of one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) and more, there shall be five (5) justice court judges, unless the board of supervisors, by resolution duly spread upon its minutes, finds that four (4) is a competent number of justice court judges to adequately handle the needs of the citizens of the county.

(2) The board of supervisors shall establish single member election districts in the county for the nonpartisan election of each of the justice court judges authorized and required to be elected for the county under the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, and one (1) justice court judge shall be elected for each district by the electors of each district. In any county authorized and required under the provisions of subsection (1)(a) of this section to provide for the election of two (2) justice court judges for the county in which there are two (2) judicial districts, the smaller of such judicial districts, according to population based upon the latest federal decennial census, shall comprise or shall be wholly encompassed within one (1) of the election districts.

(3)(a) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize or require more than five (5) justice court judges in any one (1) county from and after January 1, 1984, nor to authorize or require an increase in the number of justice court judges for any county during the term of office of any justice court judge.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize or require a county to decrease the number of justice court judge positions in the county as of June 30, 2014.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-19 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 23-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-19
Status: in_force

(1) All monies received from any source by the intervention court shall be accumulated in a fund to be used only for intervention court purposes. Any funds remaining in this fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into any general fund, but shall be retained in the Intervention Court Fund for the funding of further activities by the intervention court.

(2) An intervention court may apply for and receive the following:

(a) Gifts, bequests and donations from private sources.

(b) Grant and contract money from governmental sources.

(c) Other forms of financial assistance approved by the court to supplement the budget of the intervention court.

(3) The costs of participation in an alcohol and drug intervention program required by the certified intervention court may be paid by the participant or out of user fees or such other state, federal or private funds that may, from time to time, be made available.

(4) The court may assess such reasonable and appropriate fees to be paid to the local Intervention Court Fund for participation in an alcohol or drug intervention program; however, all fees may be waived if the applicant is determined to be indigent.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-18.1 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 9-18.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-18.1
Status: in_force

(1) In order to relieve the crowded condition of the docket in the county court and in the youth court of Madison County and particularly to facilitate and make possible the trial and disposition of the large number of causes on the docket and in the youth court, there shall be two (2) county judges for Madison County, provided for and elected as herein set out.

(2) For the purposes of nomination and election, the two (2) judgeships shall be separate and distinct, the presently existing judgeship and its succession to be denominated for purposes of appointment, nomination and election only as “Place One” and the judgeship hereby created and its succession for said selfsame purposes and none other to be designated as “Place Two.” There shall be no distinction whatsoever in the powers, duties and emoluments of the two (2) offices of county judge, except that the county judge of Madison County who has been for the longest time continuously a county judge of the county shall have the right to assign causes, terms and dockets. Should neither judge of the county court have served longer in office than the other, then that judge of this county court who has been for the longest time a member of The Mississippi Bar shall have the right to assign causes, terms and dockets.

(3) While there shall be no limitation whatsoever upon the powers and duties of the county judges other than as cast upon them by the Constitution and laws of this state, the county court of Madison County may, in the discretion of the county judge who has been for the longest time continuously a judge of the court, be divided into civil, equity, criminal and youth court divisions as a matter of convenience by the entry of an order upon the minutes of the court.

(4) The initial holder of the additional judgeship created by this section, or “Place Two,” shall be elected in the regular election of November 2002; candidates therefor shall qualify to run not later than forty-five (45) days before that election. The person elected shall begin the term of office in January of 2003 at the same time as county judges generally, and there shall be no vacancy of the office before that time. The two (2) judges shall otherwise be elected, and any vacancy in office filled, as provided for county judges generally.

(5) The Board of Supervisors of Madison County may, in its discretion, set aside, appropriate and expend monies from the general fund to be used in the payment of salaries of judges, clerks, reporters, officers and employees of the youth court division of the county court, including the related facilities of the youth court division of the county court, and such funds shall be expended for no other purposes. The county shall not be reimbursed for the amount of any such levy provided for by this section under the terms of the Homestead Exemption Law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-4 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / Section 11-4
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-4
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The Mississippi Judicial College of the University of Mississippi Law Center shall prepare and conduct courses of training for basic and continuing education for justice court judges of this state. The basic course of training shall be known as the “Justice Court Judge Training Course” and shall consist of eighty (80) hours of training. The continuing education course shall be known as the “Continuing Education Course for Justice Court Judges,” and shall consist of twenty-four (24) hours of training. The content of the basic and continuing education courses and when and where such courses are to be conducted shall be determined by the Judicial College. The Judicial College shall issue certificates of completion to those justice court judges who complete such courses.

(b) The Mississippi Judicial College of the University of Mississippi Law Center shall prepare and administer a minimum competency examination, as approved by the Mississippi Supreme Court, upon completion of the required basic course of training for justice court judges. If an elected justice court judge fails to complete the examination or fails the examination, there shall be a remedial twenty-four-hour course to be followed by a second opportunity for the justice court judge to achieve a passing score on the minimum competency examination.

(2) All costs and expenses for preparing and conducting the basic and continuing education courses, the remedial basic course, and the minimum competency examination provided for in subsection (1) of this section shall be paid out of any funds which are made available to the Judicial College upon authorization and appropriation by the Legislature.

(3) The competency examination requirements in Sections 9-11-3 and 9-11-4 shall not apply to any sitting justice court judge as of July 24, 2008.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-15 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 11 / Section 19-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-15
Status: in_force

A justice or judge retired by the supreme court or the seven-member tribunal shall be considered to have retired voluntarily. The supreme court's finding of disability shall satisfy any certification of disability required by applicable retirement and disability law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-49 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-49
Status: in_force

The Sixteenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:

(a) George County;

(b) Greene County; and

(c) Jackson County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-17-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-17-3
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the court administrator to:

(a) Perform all nonjudicial tasks of the court;

(b) Maintain all statistical reports;

(c) Serve as liaison with the general public and members of the bar;

(d) Coordinate and assist in the duties of the clerks of the courts of the district related to the judicial duties of the clerks;

(e) Provide general administrative support for all judges and chancellors of the district; and

(f) Perform other duties assigned by the judges.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-15 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 11 / Section 21-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-15
Status: in_force

The Administrative Director of Courts is authorized and empowered to employ consultants and consultant firms and to contract with the same for their services for reasonable compensation and as necessary to improve the administration of justice and the courts of the state. The contracts with such consultants or consultant firms shall be considered as contracts for professional services.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-63 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 13-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-63
Status: in_force

In all cases filed in the county court, a court reporter's fee shall be charged as an item of cost as follows: A fee of one dollar ($1.00) shall be charged in all cases which, if there were no county court, would have been filed in the justice of the peace court; a fee of two dollars ($2.00) shall be charged in all cases appealed to the county court and a fee of three dollars ($3.00) shall be charged in all cases which, if there were no county court, would be filed in the circuit or chancery courts. All of said reporter's fees above mentioned are to be paid into the general fund of the county; provided, however, that no jury tax shall be charged in any case unless there is an issue joined and no court reporter's fee shall be charged unless issue has been joined in such case and testimony taken.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-17-1 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-17-1
Status: in_force

(1) If a circuit or chancery district contains more than one (1) judge or chancellor, the judges or chancellors may establish jointly the office of court administrator for that judicial district with an order entered on the minutes of each court in that judicial district.

The establishment of the office of court administrator shall be accomplished by vote of a majority of the participating judges or chancellors in the district, and such court administrator shall be appointed by vote of a majority of the judges or chancellors and may be removed by a majority vote of the judges or chancellors. In case of a tie vote, the senior judge or senior chancellor shall cast two (2) votes.

(2) As an alternative to subsection (1), in a circuit or chancery district containing more than one (1) judge or chancellor, a judge or chancellor independently may establish the office of court administrator for that judge's or chancellor's office with an order entered on the minutes of each court in that judicial district appointing the court administrator to serve at the will and pleasure of the hiring judge or chancellor.

(3) In a county court where there is more than one (1) county judge, the county judges may establish jointly the office of court administrator for that county court with an order entered on the minutes of that court.

The establishment of the office of court administrator shall be accomplished by vote of a majority of the county judges in the county, and the court administrator shall be appointed by a vote of a majority of the county judges and may be removed by a majority vote of the county judges. In the case of a tie vote, the senior county judge shall cast two (2) votes.

(4) In a county court with one (1) county judge, the office of court administrator shall be established with an order entered on the minutes of that court. The appointment of the court administrator shall be accomplished with an order entered on the minutes of the court stating that the court administrator serves at the will and pleasure of the county judge.

(5) Before a court administrator appointed under this section may be hired, the Administrative Office of Courts will evaluate the chosen applicant to determine if the applicant meets the minimum requirements of the position of court administrator.

(6) The court administrators shall be provided office space in the same manner as such is afforded the circuit judges, chancellors and county judges.

(7) The annual salary of the court administrator appointed pursuant to subsection (1) shall be set by vote of the circuit judges or chancellors of the district and shall be submitted to the Administrative Office of Courts for approval pursuant to Section 9-1-36 . The salary shall be paid in twelve (12) installments on the last working day of the month by the Administrative Office of Courts after it has been authorized by the participating judges and chancellors and an order has been duly placed on the minutes of each participating court.

Any county within a judicial district having a court administrator shall transfer to the Administrative Office of Courts one-twelfth ( 1 / 12 ) of its pro rata cost of authorized compensation, as defined in Section 9-1-36 , for the court administrator by the twentieth day of each month for the compensation that is to be paid on the last day of that month. The board of supervisors may transfer the pro rata cost of the county from the funds of that county pursuant to Section 9-17-5(2)(b) .

(8) The annual salary of each court administrator appointed pursuant to subsection (2) shall be set by the appointing circuit judge or chancellor and shall be submitted to the Administrative Office of Courts for approval pursuant to Section 9-1-36 . The salary shall be paid in twelve (12) installments on the last working day of the month by the Administrative Office of Courts after it has been authorized by the appointing judge or chancellor and an order has been duly placed on the minutes of the participating court. Any county within a judicial district that has a court administrator shall transfer to the Administrative Office of Courts one-twelfth ( 1 / 12 ) of its pro rata cost of authorized compensation, as defined in Section 9-1-36 , for the court administrator by the twentieth day of each month for the compensation that is to be paid on the last day of that month. The board of supervisors may transfer the pro rata cost of the county from the funds of that county pursuant to Section 9-17-5(2)(b) .

(9) The annual salary of the court administrator appointed pursuant to subsection (3) shall be set by a vote of the county judges of the county and shall be paid by the county's board of supervisors.

(10) The annual salary of the court administrator appointed pursuant to subsection (4) shall be set by the county judge of the county and shall be paid by that county's board of supervisors.

(11) For all travel required in the performance of official duties, the court administrator shall be paid mileage by the county in which the duties were performed at the same rate as provided for state employees in Section 25-3-41, Mississippi Code of 1972 . The court administrator shall file a certificate of mileage expense incurred during that term with the board of supervisors of each participating county and payment of such expense shall be paid proportionately out of the court administration fund established pursuant to Section 9-17-5 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-47 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 5-47
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-47
Status: in_force

The Fifteenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:

(a) Copiah County; and

(b) Lincoln County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-14 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-14
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-14
Status: in_force

(1) There shall be three (3) judges for the Third Circuit Court District.

(2) The three (3) judgeships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as “Place One,” “Place Two” and “Place Three.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-43 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 13 / Section 21-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-43
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created in the State Treasury a special fund designated as the Civil Legal Assistance Fund. The funds shall be administered by the Supreme Court through the Administrative Office of Courts. The Administrative Office of Courts may also accept monies from any public or private source for deposit into the fund. Money remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned from the investment of monies in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the funds.

(2) All monies shall be allocated to only those organizations providing legal services to low income Mississippians. Furthermore, no monies from this fund shall be expended to provide legal services in matters currently prohibited by the Legal Services Corporation, Washington, D.C., and no funds shall be expended on persons who are not financially eligible to receive legal services as directed by the Legal Services Corporation, Washington, D.C.

(3) The monies appropriated shall be distributed to eligible legal services programs based on the percentage of poverty population within the program service area, consistent with the formula used by the Legal Services Corporation.

(4) Monies appropriated to the fund may be used to promote increased participation by the private bar in the delivery of legal services to the indigent through the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project.

(5) Recipients of funds shall have the following duties:

(a) To develop, operate and administer programs within their respective service areas that provide free legal services to indigent clients involved in civil matters;

(b) To report annually to the Supreme Court, through the Administrative Office of Courts, on its activities, including providing a copy of its annual audit that accounts for the use of the funds; and

(c) To refund annually all unused or uncommitted funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-122 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-122
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-122
Status: in_force

(1) Except as otherwise provided herein, no circuit clerk elected for a full term of office commencing on or after January 1, 1996, shall exercise any functions of office or be eligible to take the oath of office unless and until the circuit clerk has filed in the office of the chancery clerk a certificate of completion of a course of training and education conducted by the Mississippi Judicial College of the University of Mississippi Law Center within six (6) months of the beginning of the term for which such circuit clerk is elected. A circuit clerk who has completed the course of training and education and has satisfied his annual continuing education course requirements, and who is then elected for a succeeding term of office subsequent to the initial term for which he completed the training course, shall not be required to repeat the training and education course upon reelection. A circuit clerk that has served either a full term of office or part of a term of office before January 1, 1996, shall be exempt from the requirements of this subsection.

(2) In addition to meeting the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, after taking office by election or otherwise, each circuit clerk shall be required to file annually in the office of the chancery clerk a certificate of completion of a course of continuing education conducted by the Mississippi Judicial College. No circuit clerk shall have to comply with this subsection unless he will have been in office for five (5) months or more during a calendar year.

(3) Each circuit clerk elected for a term commencing on or after January 1, 1992, shall be required to file annually the certificate required in subsection (2) of this section commencing January 1, 1993.

(4) The requirements for obtaining the certificates in this section shall be as provided in subsection (6) of this section.

(5) Upon the failure of any circuit clerk to file with the chancery clerk the certificates of completion as provided in this section, such circuit clerk shall, in addition to any other fine or punishment provided by law for such conduct, not be entitled to any fee, compensation or salary, from any source, for services rendered as circuit clerk, for the period of time during which such certificate remains unfiled.

(6) The Mississippi Judicial College of the University of Mississippi Law Center shall prepare and conduct courses of training for basic and continuing education for circuit clerks of this state. The basic course of training shall be known as the “Circuit Clerks Training Course” and shall consist of at least thirty-two (32) hours of training. The continuing education course shall be known as the “Continuing Education Course for Circuit Clerks” and shall consist of at least eighteen (18) hours of training. The content of the basic and continuing education courses and when and where such courses are to be conducted shall be determined by the judicial college. The judicial college shall issue certificates of completion to those circuit clerks who complete such courses.

(7) The expenses of the training, including training of those elected as circuit clerk who have not yet begun their term of office, shall be borne as an expense of the office of the circuit clerk.

(8) Circuit clerks shall be allowed credit toward their continuing education course requirements for attendance at circuit court proceedings if the presiding circuit court judge certifies that the circuit clerk was in actual attendance at a term or terms of court; provided, however, that at least twelve (12) hours per year of the continuing education course requirements must be completed at a regularly established program or programs conducted by the Mississippi Judicial College.

(9) By August 1, 2015, and each year thereafter, the Administrative Office of Courts shall certify to the Mississippi Judicial College the names of all circuit clerks who have failed to provide the information required by Section 9-1-46 . The judicial college shall not issue a certificate of continuing education required by subsection (2) of this section to any such clerk, and shall report to the State Auditor, and the board of supervisors of the county the clerk is elected from that the clerk shall not be entitled to receive the compensation set out in subsection (5) of this section. A clerk may be certified after coming into compliance with the requirements of Section 9-1-46 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-119 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 13-119
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-119
Status: in_force

(1) All Certified Shorthand Reporters and Certified Stenomask Reporters shall pay to the board an annual certification fee established by the board. All certificates issued under the provisions of this chapter shall expire one (1) year from the date of issue. Applications for renewal of certification shall be accompanied by the required annual certification fee.

(2) All funds collected under the provisions of this chapter shall be deposited into a special fund, hereby created in the State Treasury. All expenses incurred by the board in implementing the provisions of this chapter shall be paid out of such special fund pursuant to legislative appropriation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-23 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / Section 11-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-23
Status: in_force

When any clerk of the justice court shall have collected in his official capacity any money, fines or penalties, and shall fail to pay or account for the same to the person or official entitled to receive the same, he shall be liable to be proceeded against on his official bond in a summary way by motion in any court having jurisdiction of the amount collected and withheld, of which motion five (5) days' notice shall be served on the clerk of the justice court and the sureties on his bond, or such of them as may be found; and judgment for the amount illegally withheld by the clerk of the justice court and ten percent (10%) thereon, and all costs, shall be rendered against the clerk of the justice court and his sureties, or such of them as have been served with notice.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-9 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 19-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-9
Status: in_force

If a complaint is filed against a member of the commission, he shall be disqualified as to that complaint.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-9 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 23-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-9
Status: in_force

(1) The State Intervention Courts Advisory Committee is established to develop and periodically update proposed statewide evaluation plans and models for monitoring all critical aspects of intervention courts. The committee must provide the proposed evaluation plans to the Chief Justice and the Administrative Office of Courts. The committee shall be chaired by the Director of the Administrative Office of Courts or a designee of the director and shall consist of eleven (11) members all of whom shall be appointed by the Supreme Court. The members shall be broadly representative of the courts, mental health, veterans affairs, law enforcement, corrections, criminal defense bar, prosecutors association, juvenile justice, child protective services and substance abuse treatment communities.

(2) The State Intervention Courts Advisory Committee may also make recommendations to the Chief Justice, the Director of the Administrative Office of Courts and state officials concerning improvements to intervention court policies and procedures including the intervention court certification process. The committee may make suggestions as to the criteria for eligibility, and other procedural and substantive guidelines for intervention court operation.

(3) The State Intervention Courts Advisory Committee shall act as arbiter of disputes arising out of the operation of intervention courts established under this chapter and make recommendations to improve the intervention courts; it shall also make recommendations to the Supreme Court necessary and incident to compliance with established rules.

(4) The State Intervention Courts Advisory Committee shall establish through rules and regulations a viable and fiscally responsible plan to expand the number of adult and juvenile intervention court programs operating in Mississippi. These rules and regulations shall include plans to increase participation in existing and future programs while maintaining their voluntary nature.

(5) The State Intervention Courts Advisory Committee shall receive and review the monthly reports submitted to the Administrative Office of Courts by each certified intervention court and provide comments and make recommendations, as necessary, to the Chief Justice and the Director of the Administrative Office of Courts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-54 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 5-54
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-54
Status: in_force

(1) There shall be two (2) chancellors for the Eighteenth Chancery Court District.

(2) The two (2) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as “Place One” and “Place Two.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 11-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-3
Status: in_force

(1) Except as otherwise provided herein, no justice court judge elected for a full term of office commencing on or after January 1, 2012, shall exercise the judicial functions of his office or be eligible to take the oath of office until he has filed in the office of the chancery clerk the following two (2) certifications: (a) a certificate of completion of a course of training and education conducted by the Mississippi Judicial College of the University of Mississippi Law Center; and (b) a certificate of successful completion of a minimum competency examination administered by the Mississippi Judicial College of the University of Mississippi Law Center within six (6) months of the beginning of the term for which such justice is elected. A justice court judge who has completed the course of training and education, passed the minimum competency examination, and has satisfied his annual continuing education course requirements, and who is then elected for a succeeding term of office subsequent to the initial term for which he completed the training course, shall not be required to repeat the basic training and education course upon reelection but shall be subject to the continuing education requirements.

(2) In addition to meeting the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, after taking office, each justice court judge shall be required to file annually in the office of the chancery clerk a certificate of completion of a course of continuing education conducted by the Mississippi Judicial College.

(3) The requirements for obtaining each of the certificates in subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall be as provided in Section 9-11-4 .

(4) Upon the failure of any justice court judge to file with the chancery clerk the certificates of completion as provided in subsections (1) and (2) of this section, such justice court judge shall, in addition to any other fine or punishment provided by law for such conduct, not be entitled to compensation for the period of time during which such certificates remain unfiled. If a justice court judge has not filed the required certifications within eight (8) months of the inception of the term, that justice court judge shall forfeit his office, his position shall be declared vacant, and the resulting vacancy shall be filled as provided by Section 23-15-839 .

(5) The competency examination requirements in Sections 9-11-3 and 9-11-4 shall not apply to any sitting justice court judges as of July 24, 2008.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-23 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 23-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-23
Status: in_force

If the participant completes all requirements imposed upon him by the intervention court, including the payment of fines and fees assessed and not waived by the court, the charge and prosecution shall be dismissed. If the defendant or participant was sentenced at the time of entry of plea of guilty, the successful completion of the intervention court order and other requirements of probation or suspension of sentence will result in the record of the criminal conviction or adjudication being expunged. However, no expunction of any implied consent violation shall be allowed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-124 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 7-124
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-124
Status: in_force

(1) The board of supervisors of any county, in its discretion, may authorize the circuit clerk of the county to appoint one or more temporary full-time or temporary part-time deputies for the purpose of assisting the circuit clerk in the performance of duties relating to certification of signatures on initiative petitions as provided by Section 23-17-21 .

(2) The salary of any temporary deputy clerk appointed under the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall be established by the board of supervisors and paid out of any available funds in the county general fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-25 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 19-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-25
Status: in_force

The commission is authorized and empowered to receive and expend funds appropriated or granted for the purposes of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-50 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 5-50
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-50
Status: in_force

(1) There shall be three (3) chancellors for the Sixteenth Chancery Court District.

(2) The three (3) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as “Place One,” “Place Two” and “Place Three.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-19 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 11-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-19
Status: in_force

(1) It shall be the duty of every clerk of the justice court to receive and account for all fees, costs, fines and penalties charged and collected in the justice court, and, monthly to report in writing under oath, to the clerk of the board of supervisors who shall upon receipt submit such report to the board of supervisors of all such fees, costs, fines and penalties received, including cash bonds and other monies which have been forfeited in criminal cases and at least semiannually any delinquent fines and penalties, giving the date, amount, and names of persons from whom such monies were received, and to pay so much thereof as shall have been received to the clerk of the board of supervisors for deposit into the general fund of the county. Any clerk of the justice court who shall fail to make such report or to pay the money so received shall, in addition to any other fine or punishment provided by law for such conduct, not be entitled to compensation for the period of time during which such report or money is outstanding.

(2) The provisions of this section shall not, except as to cash bonds and other monies which have been forfeited in criminal cases, apply to monies required to be deposited in the justice court clerk clearing account as provided in Section 9-11-18, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-5 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 12 / Section 19-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-5
Status: in_force

The members of the commission on judicial performance shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary travel expenses and subsistence as may be incurred in the performance of their duties. Members of the commission who are judges shall serve without compensation. Other members of the commission shall receive a per diem in the amount authorized in Section 25-3-69, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for each day or part thereof spent in performing their duties under this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-1-17 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 1-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-1-17
Status: in_force

The Supreme, circuit, chancery and county courts and the Court of Appeals shall have power to fine and imprison any person guilty of contempt of the court while sitting, but the fine shall not exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for each offense, nor shall the imprisonment continue longer than thirty (30) days. If any witness refuse to be sworn or to give evidence, or if any officer or person refuse to obey or perform any rules, order, or judgment of the court, such court shall have power to fine and imprison such officer or person until he shall give evidence, or until the rule, order, or judgment shall be complied with.

At the discretion of the court, any person found in contempt for failure to pay child support and imprisoned therefor may be referred for placement in a state, county or municipal restitution, house arrest or restorative justice center or program, provided such person meets the qualifications prescribed in Section 99-37-19 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-43 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 9-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-43
Status: in_force

In any county now having a county court established by Chapter 131 of the laws of 1926 and having only one judicial district therein and in which the assessed valuation of real and personal property has fallen below seventeen million dollars but exceeds fifteen million dollars according to the assessment of 1932, and in which the urban population exceeds the rural population, and having therein a municipality in excess of 15,000 population, according to the last federal census, said county court shall remain in existence until abolished by a direct act of the legislature or by an election as now provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-75 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 13 / Section 21-75
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-75
Status: in_force

The court may appoint either an interpreter who is paid or a volunteer interpreter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-5 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 11-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-5
Status: in_force

(1) The justice court judges shall be provided courtrooms by the county and all trials shall be held therein. Such courtrooms shall be in the county courthouse, county office building or any other building within the county deemed appropriate by the board of supervisors.

(2) The county shall provide office space and furnish each justice court office and provide necessary office supplies.

(3) The board of supervisors of each county may secure insurance coverage to protect the office of the justice court clerk against losses due to theft or robbery.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-41 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-41
Status: in_force

The Fifteenth Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:

(a) Jefferson Davis County;

(b) Lamar County;

(c) Lawrence County;

(d) Marion County; and

(e) Pearl River County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-109 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 12 / Section 13-109
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-109
Status: in_force

Every applicant for certification shall have reached the age of majority, be of good moral character and be a resident citizen of the State of Mississippi. Further, every applicant shall meet the criteria established by the board for certification or shall meet the requirements of Section 9-13-109 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-31 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 13 / Section 13-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-31
Status: in_force

In all criminal cases, and (a) in all civil cases, and (b) matters in probate, and (c) in matters of special proceedings, wherein property or demands of as much as Fifty Dollars ($50.00) may be in issue, no party shall be required without his consent to go to trial in a circuit or chancery court unless the case is attended by a court reporter; provided, however, that the judge of any chancery court may dispense with the requirement of a court reporter in hearings on temporary support and maintenance and/or temporary child custody in domestic cases unless one (1) or both of the parties request a court reporter. And in and by means of the court reporter's shorthand notes, it shall be competent and effectual, for the purposes of appeal and all otherwise, to make of the record every part of the proceedings arising and done during the trial, from the opening until the conclusion thereof, including motions so arising to amend the pleadings, except amendments to indictments, and the ruling of the court thereon and all other motions and steps that may occur in the trial, in addition to the oral testimony. And in such a trial, provided objections are duly made and noted, no exceptions need be taken, either for the purposes of appeal or otherwise, or if taken shall not be noted, to any ruling or decision of the court, and this provision shall include the rulings of a court on objections to testimony. If any ruling or decision of the court as to any matter arising during the trial appear in the copy of the court reporter's notes, it shall not be necessary to take any exceptions or bill of exceptions thereto. Exceptions and bills of exception shall be necessary only when it is desired to reserve exceptions to some ruling or decision of the court which would not otherwise appear of record. No bill of exceptions need be taken to the action of the court in overruling a motion for a new trial. In all cases tried either in the circuit or chancery court in which the evidence is taken down by an official court reporter, all pleadings and all papers filed or introduced in the case, all orders of the court entered on the minutes, all instructions and a copy of the court reporter's notes shall constitute the record and no bill of exceptions shall be necessary in order to make any of the above matters part of the record.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-181 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-181
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-181
Status: in_force

The clerk shall keep a docket, in which he shall enter every capias pro finem and all executions issued by him, specifying the names of the parties, the date, the amount of the judgment or decree and of costs, the name of the officer to whom it is delivered, to what county directed, the date when issued, and the return-day thereof; and, when the same is returned, shall, without delay, record the return at large on the same page of the docket. And the execution docket shall be kept duly indexed, both directly and indirectly, in the alphabetical order of the names of each of the parties. Such docket may be kept on computer as provided in Section 9-7-171 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-14 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 9-14
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-14
Status: in_force

(1) In order to relieve the crowded condition of the docket in the county court of Harrison County and particularly to facilitate and make possible the trial and disposition of the large number of causes on said docket, there shall be three (3) county judges for Harrison County provided for and elected as herein set out.

(2) For the purposes of nomination and election, the three (3) judgeships shall be separate and distinct, to be denominated for purposes of appointment, nomination and election only as “place one,” “place two” and “place three.” There shall be no distinction whatsoever in the powers, duties and emoluments of the three (3) offices of county judge, except that the county judge of Harrison County who has been for the longest time continuously a county judge of said county shall have the power to assign causes, terms and dockets.

(3) While there shall be no limitation whatsoever upon the powers and duties of the said county judges other than as cast upon them by the constitution and laws of this state, the county court of Harrison County may, in the discretion of the county judge who has been for the longest time continuously a judge of said court, be divided into civil, equity and criminal divisions as a matter of convenience, by the entry of an order upon the minutes of the court.

(4) The Governor shall appoint some qualified person from Harrison County to fill the office of county judge hereby created, who shall hold office until his successor is elected and qualified in the manner and form as provided in Section 9-9-5, Mississippi Code of 1972 , and said appointment and election shall in all respects be of the same import as if the office had heretofore been in existence and a vacancy had as of October 1, 1972, occurred therein.

(5) Each county judge shall appoint his own court reporter in accordance with Section 9-13-61, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for the purpose of doing the necessary stenographic work of the court.

(6) The family court judge in Harrison County shall be the county judge for “place three” from and after March 19, 1999, to serve for the term expiring December 31, 2002.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-5 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 17 / Section 21-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-5
Status: in_force

The Administrative Director shall be appointed by and shall serve at the pleasure of the Supreme Court of Mississippi as the Director of the Administrative Office of Courts. The Administrative Director shall devote full time to the duties of the office to the exclusion of engagement in any other business or profession for profit.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-31 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 17 / Section 19-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-31
Status: in_force

There is created in the State Treasury a special interest-bearing fund to be known as the Judicial Performance Fund. The purpose of the fund shall be to provide supplemental funding to the Commission on Judicial Performance. Monies from the funds derived from assessments under Section 99-19-73 shall be distributed by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Commission on Judicial Performance. The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal-year limitations, and shall consist of: (a) monies appropriated by the Legislature for the purpose of funding the Commission on Judicial Performance; (b) the interest accruing to the fund; (c) monies received under the provisions of Section 99-19-73 ; (d) monies received from the federal government; and (e) monies received from such other sources as may be provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-15 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 13 / Section 21-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-15
Status: in_force

The Administrative Director of Courts is authorized and empowered to employ consultants and consultant firms and to contract with the same for their services for reasonable compensation and as necessary to improve the administration of justice and the courts of the state. The contracts with such consultants or consultant firms shall be considered as contracts for professional services.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-63 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-63
Status: in_force

The Twenty-third Circuit Court District shall be DeSoto County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 21-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Administrative Office of Courts shall be specifically charged with the duty of assisting the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Mississippi with his duties as the chief administrative officer of all courts of this state, including without limitation the task of insuring that the business of the courts of the state is attended with proper dispatch, that the dockets of such courts are not permitted to become congested and that trials and appeals of cases, civil and criminal, are not delayed unreasonably.

(2) The office shall also perform the following duties:

(a) To work with the clerks of all youth courts and civil and criminal trial courts in the state to collect, obtain, compile, digest and publish information and statistics concerning the administration of justice in the state.

(b) To serve as an agency to apply for and receive any grants or other assistance and to coordinate and conduct studies and projects to improve the administration of justice by the courts of the state, and it may conduct such studies with or without the assistance of consultants.

(c) To supply such support to the Judicial Advisory Study Committee necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter, including without limitation, research and clerical assistance.

(d) To promulgate standards, rules and regulations for computer and/or electronic filing and storage of all court records and court-related records maintained throughout the state in courts and in offices of circuit and chancery clerks.

(e) It shall perform such other duties relating to the improvement of the administration of justice as may be assigned by the Supreme Court of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-39 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-39
Status: in_force

(1) The Fourteenth Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:

(a) Lincoln County;

(b) Pike County; and

(c) Walthall County.

(2)(a) There shall be two (2) judges for the Fourteenth Circuit Court District.

(b) The two (2) judgeships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as “Place One” and “Place Two.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-105 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / Section 13-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-105
Status: in_force

The board is charged with the duty and vested with the power and authority:

(a) To determine the content of and administer examinations to be given to applicants for certification as a court reporter.

(b) To determine an applicant's ability to make a verbatim record of proceedings which may be used in any court in this state by any recognized system designated by the board and to pass upon the eligibility of applicants for certification.

(c) To issue certificates to those found qualified as court reporters who are in compliance with Section 9-13-109 .

(d) To promulgate, amend and revise regulations relevant to its duties as necessary to implement this chapter. Such regulations shall be consistent with the provisions of Sections 9-13-101 through 9-13-121 and shall not be effective until approved by the Supreme Court.

(e) To make studies and, from time to time, recommendations to the Supreme Court concerning matters pertaining to court reporters.

(f) To account to the Supreme Court in all fiscal matters following recognized accounting procedures of the State Auditor.

(g) To exercise jurisdiction over disciplinary matters with regard to certified court reporters, those reporters granted temporary permission as noncertified or nonresident court reporters, those holding themselves out in the State of Mississippi to be court reporters and anyone engaged in the unauthorized practice of court reporting within the State of Mississippi in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the board.

(h) To enter into contracts, hire staff and do such other things as may be necessary to implement the provisions of Sections 9-13-101 through 9-13-121 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-19 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 13-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-19
Status: in_force

(1) Court reporters for circuit and chancery courts may be paid an annual salary payable by the Administrative Office of Courts not to exceed Forty-nine Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($49,500.00) for court reporters with five (5) years' experience or less; not to exceed Fifty-eight Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($58,500.00) for court reporters who have more than five (5) years' experience but less than ten (10) years; and not to exceed Sixty-four Thousand Dollars ($64,000,00) for court reporters who have ten (10) years or more experience. No amount of the increase in the maximum salary authorized by this section shall be paid from the State General Fund. The board of supervisors of any county is authorized to pay its court reporters the applicable amount of the maximum salary authorized by this section. In addition, any court reporter performing the duties of a court administrator in the same judicial district in which the person is employed as a court reporter may be paid additional compensation for performing the court administrator duties. The annual amount of the additional compensation shall be set by vote of the judges and chancellors for whom the court administrator duties are performed, with consideration given to the number of hours per month devoted by the court reporter to performing the duties of a court administrator. The additional compensation shall be submitted to the Administrative Office of Courts for approval.

(2) The several counties in each respective court district shall transfer from the general funds of those county treasuries to the Administrative Office of Courts a proportionate amount to be paid toward the annual compensation of the court reporter, including any additional compensation paid for the performance of court administrator duties. The amount to be paid by each county shall be determined by the number of weeks in which court is held in each county in proportion to the total number of weeks court is held in the district. For purposes of this section, the term “ compensation ” means the gross salary plus all amounts paid for benefits, or otherwise, as a result of employment or as required by employment, but does not include transcript fees otherwise authorized to be paid by or through the counties. However, only salary earned for services rendered shall be reported and credited for retirement purposes. Amounts paid for transcript fees, benefits or otherwise, including reimbursement for travel expenses, shall not be reported or credited for retirement purposes.

For example, if there are thirty-eight (38) scheduled court weeks in a particular district, a county in which court is scheduled five (5) weeks out of the year would have to pay five-thirty-eighths ( 5 / 38 ) of the total annual compensation.

(3) The salary and any additional compensation for the performance of court administrator duties shall be paid in twelve (12) installments on the last working day of each month after it has been duly authorized by the appointing judge or chancellor and an order duly placed on the minutes of the court. Each county shall transfer to the Administrative Office of Courts one-twelfth ( 1 / 12 ) of the amount required to be paid pursuant to subsection (2) of this section by the twentieth day of each month for the salary that is to be paid on the last working day of the month. The Administrative Office of Courts shall pay to the court reporter the total amount of salary due for that month. Any county may pay, in the discretion of the board of supervisors, by the twentieth day of January of any year, the amount due for a full twelve (12) months.

(4) From and after October 1, 1996, all circuit and chancery court reporters will be employees of the Administrative Office of Courts.

(5) No circuit or chancery court reporter shall be entitled to any compensation for any special or extended term of court after passage of this section.

(6) No chancery or circuit court reporter shall practice law in the court within which he or she is the court reporter.

(7) For all travel required in the performance of official duties, the circuit or chancery court reporter shall be paid mileage by the county in which the duties were performed at the same rate as provided for state employees in Section 25-3-41 . The court reporter shall file in the office of the clerk of the court which he serves a certificate of mileage expense incurred during that term and payment of such expense to the court reporter shall be paid on allowance by the judge of such court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-23 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 23-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-23
Status: in_force

If the participant completes all requirements imposed upon him by the intervention court, including the payment of fines and fees assessed and not waived by the court, the charge and prosecution shall be dismissed. If the defendant or participant was sentenced at the time of entry of plea of guilty, the successful completion of the intervention court order and other requirements of probation or suspension of sentence will result in the record of the criminal conviction or adjudication being expunged. However, no expunction of any implied consent violation shall be allowed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-18 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 11-18
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-18
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created in the county depository of each county a clearing account to be designated as the “Justice Court Clerk Clearing Account,” in which shall be deposited (a) all such monies as the clerk of the justice court shall receive from any person complying with any writ of garnishment, attachment, execution or other like process authorized by law for the enforcement of a judgment; (b) all such monies as are received in criminal cases in the justice court pursuant to any order requiring payment as restitution to the victims of criminal offenses; (c) all cash bonds as shall be deposited with the court; (d) any portion of any fees required by law to be collected in civil cases which are to pay for the service of process or writs in another county as provided by Section 9-11-20 ; and (e) any other money as shall be deposited with the court, except fees paid for the services of a constable, which by its nature is not at the time of its deposit public monies, but which is to be held by the court in a trust or custodial capacity in a case or proceeding before the court. The clerk of the justice court shall account for all monies deposited in and disbursed from such account and shall be authorized and empowered to draw and issue checks on such account at such times, in such amounts and to such persons as shall be proper and in accordance with law; provided, however, such monies as are forfeited in criminal cases shall be paid by the clerk of the justice court to the clerk of the board of supervisors for deposit in the general fund of the county in the same manner as provided in Section 9-11-19 for fees, costs, fines and penalties charged and collected in the justice court.

(2) Any monies deposited with the court in civil cases, which are fees paid for the services of a constable, shall be reported by the clerk of the court in the same manner as provided by Section 9-11-19 and shall be considered as being fees within the meaning of such section. It shall be the duty of the clerk of the board of supervisors to disburse such fees monthly, upon approval of the board of supervisors, to the constables entitled thereto.

(3) The justice court clearing account may bear interest and the clerk of the justice court shall account for all interest earned on such account and pay such interest to the clerk of the board of supervisors for deposit in the general fund of the county in the same manner as provided in Section 9-11-19 for fees, costs, fines and penalties charged and collected in the justice court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-1 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 12 / Section 19-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-1
Status: in_force

The Commission on Judicial Performance shall consist of the following members:

(a) One (1) circuit court judge to be appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Mississippi upon the recommendation of the Governor;

(b) One (1) chancellor to be appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Mississippi upon the recommendation of the Lieutenant Governor;

(c) One (1) county court judge to be appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Mississippi upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House;

(d) One (1) justice court judge to be appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Mississippi;

(e) One (1) practicing attorney to be appointed by the Chief Justice upon the recommendation of the Governing Board of The Mississippi Bar; and

(f) Two (2) lay persons who shall not be residents of the same Supreme Court District to be appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Mississippi.

An alternate for each member shall be selected at the time and in the manner prescribed for initial appointments in each representative class to replace those members who might be disqualified or absent.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-27 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-27
Status: in_force

(1) The Eighth Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:

(a) Leake County;

(b) Neshoba County;

(c) Newton County; and

(d) Scott County.

(2) There shall be two (2) judges for the Eighth Circuit Court District.

(3) The two (2) judgeships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as “Place One” and “Place Two.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-31 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 11-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-31
Status: in_force

(1) When any justice court judge is unable, by reason of being under any suspension by the Commission on Judicial Performance or the Mississippi Supreme Court, or by reason of sickness or other disability, to attend and hold court at the time and place required by law to do so for a period of time in excess of thirty (30) consecutive days, and due to such inability to attend and hold court there is no judge to hold court in such county, the board of supervisors of the county in which such judge serves shall appoint another justice court judge of the county or an adjoining county or a municipal court judge to attend and hold said court and perform all the duties of such judge during such suspension or disability.

(2) Any presently sitting justice court judge appointed pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall receive no additional compensation for his or her service. Any other person so appointed shall, for the period of his service, receive compensation from the county for each day's service a sum equal to 1 / 260 ths of the current salary in effect for justice court judges.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-9 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 11-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-9
Status: in_force

Justice court judges shall have jurisdiction of all actions for the recovery of debts or damages or personal property, where the principal of the debt, the amount of the demand, or the value of the property sought to be recovered shall not exceed Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500.00).

The justice court judges shall have no pecuniary interest in the outcome of any action once suit has been filed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-55 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-55
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-55
Status: in_force

The Twenty-first Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:

(a) Holmes County;

(b) Humphreys County; and

(c) Yazoo County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-171 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-171
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-171
Status: in_force

(1) The clerk shall keep a general docket, in which he shall enter the names of the parties in each case, the time of filing the declaration, indictment, record from inferior courts on appeal or certiorari, petition, plea, or demurrer, and all other papers in the cause, the issuance and return of process, and a note of all judgments rendered therein, by reference to the minute book and page. He shall mark on the papers in every cause the style and number of the suit, and the time when, and the party by whom filed; and he shall not suffer any paper so filed to be withdrawn but by leave of the court, and then only by retaining a copy, to be made at the cost of the party obtaining the leave. All the papers and pleadings filed in a cause shall be kept in the same file, and all the files kept in numerical order. Entries in criminal cases shall not be made on the docket so as to disclose the names of the defendants until their arrest. And the docket shall be duly indexed, both directly and indirectly, in the alphabetical order of the names of each of the parties.

(2) The general docket required to be kept by this section and all other dockets or records required by law to be kept by the circuit clerk may be kept on computer in lieu of any other physical docket, record or well-bound book if all such dockets and records are kept by computer in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Administrative Office of Courts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-15 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-15
Status: in_force

A justice or judge retired by the supreme court or the seven-member tribunal shall be considered to have retired voluntarily. The supreme court's finding of disability shall satisfy any certification of disability required by applicable retirement and disability law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-171 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-171
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-171
Status: in_force

(1) The clerk shall keep a general docket, in which he shall enter the names of the parties in each case, the time of filing the declaration, indictment, record from inferior courts on appeal or certiorari, petition, plea, or demurrer, and all other papers in the cause, the issuance and return of process, and a note of all judgments rendered therein, by reference to the minute book and page. He shall mark on the papers in every cause the style and number of the suit, and the time when, and the party by whom filed; and he shall not suffer any paper so filed to be withdrawn but by leave of the court, and then only by retaining a copy, to be made at the cost of the party obtaining the leave. All the papers and pleadings filed in a cause shall be kept in the same file, and all the files kept in numerical order. Entries in criminal cases shall not be made on the docket so as to disclose the names of the defendants until their arrest. And the docket shall be duly indexed, both directly and indirectly, in the alphabetical order of the names of each of the parties.

(2) The general docket required to be kept by this section and all other dockets or records required by law to be kept by the circuit clerk may be kept on computer in lieu of any other physical docket, record or well-bound book if all such dockets and records are kept by computer in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Administrative Office of Courts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-21 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 27-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-21
Status: in_force

(1) The Administrative Office of Courts shall be responsible for certification and monitoring of mental health treatment courts.

(2) The Administrative Office of Courts shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the certification and re-certification process and make any other policies consistent with this section to carry out this process.

(3) The Administrative Office of Courts shall establish, implement and operate a uniform certification process for all mental health treatment courts designed to adjudicate criminal actions involving an identified classification of criminal defendants to ensure funding for mental health treatment courts which supports effective and proven behavioral health treatment practices that reduce recidivism among their participants.

(4)(a) The Administrative Office of Courts shall establish a certification process that ensures any new or existing mental health treatment court meets standards for mental health treatment court operation.

(b) Mental health treatment court certification application must include:

(i) A description of the need for the mental health treatment court;

(ii) The targeted population for the mental health treatment court;

(iii) The eligibility criteria for mental health treatment court participants;

(iv) A description of the process for identifying eligible participants, using a risk and needs screening and a clinical assessment which focuses on accepting moderate to high-risk individuals; and

(v) A description of the mental health treatment court components, including anticipated budget, implementation plan, and a list of the evidence-based programs to which participants will be referred by the mental health treatment court.

(5) Every mental health treatment court shall be certified under the following schedule:

(a) All certified mental health treatment courts in existence on December 31, 2022, must submit a recertification petition to the Administrative Office of Courts before July 1, 2023. The mental health treatment court must submit a recertification petition every two (2) years.

(b) A mental health treatment court's certification expires on December 31 of every odd calendar year.

(6) A certified mental health treatment court established under this chapter is subject to the regulatory powers of the Administrative Office of Courts as set forth in Section 9-27-13 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-35 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 11-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-35
Status: in_force

(1) The Department of Revenue shall administer the Justice Court Collections Payment Program. The purpose of the program shall be to provide support for salaries of justice court personnel, for the purchase, operation and maintenance of software and equipment, for facility planning and improvement, and for other expenses incurred for the purpose of collecting fines and assessments within the justice court system. Monies appropriated by the Legislature to the Department of Revenue for the purposes of funding the Justice Court Collections Payment Program shall be expended by the department to each participating county based upon that county's deposits in the Treasury of the monies received under the provisions of Section 99-19-73 .

(2) The Department of Revenue shall promulgate rules and procedures relating to the disbursement of monies to participating counties. The department shall promulgate rules and procedures to ensure that the justice court system of a participating county practices proper and effective collection procedures for the collection of fines and other assessments. The county may use monies received from the program to defray the costs associated with collection actions under Section 19-3-41(4) for collection of delinquent fines and other assessments. The county shall participate in collection actions under Section 19-3-41(2) for collection of delinquent fines and other assessments in order to qualify.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-7 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 11-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-7
Status: in_force

Every person elected a justice court judge shall, before he enters on the duties of the office, take the oath of office prescribed by Section 155 of the Constitution , and give bond, with sufficient surety, to be payable, conditioned and approved as provided by law and in the same manner as other county officers, in a penalty not less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00); and any party interested may proceed on such bond in a summary way, by motion in any court having jurisdiction of the same, against the principal and surety, upon giving five (5) days' previous notice.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-31 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 13-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-31
Status: in_force

In all criminal cases, and (a) in all civil cases, and (b) matters in probate, and (c) in matters of special proceedings, wherein property or demands of as much as Fifty Dollars ($50.00) may be in issue, no party shall be required without his consent to go to trial in a circuit or chancery court unless the case is attended by a court reporter; provided, however, that the judge of any chancery court may dispense with the requirement of a court reporter in hearings on temporary support and maintenance and/or temporary child custody in domestic cases unless one (1) or both of the parties request a court reporter. And in and by means of the court reporter's shorthand notes, it shall be competent and effectual, for the purposes of appeal and all otherwise, to make of the record every part of the proceedings arising and done during the trial, from the opening until the conclusion thereof, including motions so arising to amend the pleadings, except amendments to indictments, and the ruling of the court thereon and all other motions and steps that may occur in the trial, in addition to the oral testimony. And in such a trial, provided objections are duly made and noted, no exceptions need be taken, either for the purposes of appeal or otherwise, or if taken shall not be noted, to any ruling or decision of the court, and this provision shall include the rulings of a court on objections to testimony. If any ruling or decision of the court as to any matter arising during the trial appear in the copy of the court reporter's notes, it shall not be necessary to take any exceptions or bill of exceptions thereto. Exceptions and bills of exception shall be necessary only when it is desired to reserve exceptions to some ruling or decision of the court which would not otherwise appear of record. No bill of exceptions need be taken to the action of the court in overruling a motion for a new trial. In all cases tried either in the circuit or chancery court in which the evidence is taken down by an official court reporter, all pleadings and all papers filed or introduced in the case, all orders of the court entered on the minutes, all instructions and a copy of the court reporter's notes shall constitute the record and no bill of exceptions shall be necessary in order to make any of the above matters part of the record.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-80 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 21 / Section 21-80
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-80
Status: in_force

(1) The court shall appoint an interpreter in the following order of preference:

(a) Certified court interpreter.

(b) Registered court interpreter.

(c) Non-credential interpreter.

(2) A non-credentialed interpreter may be appointed if:

(a) Neither a certified nor registered court interpreter reasonably is available; and

(b) The court has evaluated the totality of the circumstances, including the gravity of the judicial proceeding and the potential penalty or consequence involved.

(3) If the court appoints a non-credentialed interpreter, the court must make the following findings on the record:

(a) The proposed interpreter appears to have: (i) adequate language skills, knowledge of interpreting techniques, and familiarity with interpreting in a court setting; and (ii) read and understand, and agrees to abide by, the Mississippi Code of Ethics for Court Interpreters and the Mississippi Rules on Standards for Court Interpreters.

(4) A summary of the efforts made to obtain a certified or registered court interpreter, as well as a summary of the efforts to determine the capabilities of the proposed non-credentialed interpreter, must be made in open court and placed on the record.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-17 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 13-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-17
Status: in_force

The circuit judge, chancellor, family court judge or county judge may, by an order spread upon the minutes and made a part of the records of the court, appoint an additional court reporter for a term or part of a term whose duties, qualifications and compensation shall be the same as is now provided by law for official court reporters. The additional court reporter shall be subject to the control of the judge or chancellor, as is now provided by law for official court reporters, and the judge or chancellor shall have the additional power to terminate the appointment of such additional court reporter, whenever in his opinion the necessity for such an additional court reporter ceases to exist, by placing upon the minutes of the court an order to that effect. The regular court reporter shall not draw any compensation while the assistant court reporter alone is serving; however, in the event the assistant court reporter is serving because of the illness of the regular court reporter, the court may authorize payment of said assistant court reporter from the Administrative Office of Courts without diminution of the salary of the regular court reporter, for a period not to exceed forty-five (45) days in any one (1) calendar year. However, in any circuit, chancery, county or family court district within the State of Mississippi, if the judge or chancellor shall determine that in order to relieve the continuously crowded docket in such district, or for other good cause shown, the appointment of an additional court reporter is necessary for the proper administration of justice, he may, with the advice and consent of the board of supervisors if the court district is composed of a single county and with the advice and consent of at least one-half ( 1 / 2 ) of the boards of supervisors if the court district is composed of more than one (1) county, by an order spread upon the minutes and made a part of the records of the court, appoint an additional court reporter. The additional court reporter shall serve at the will and pleasure of the judge or chancellor, may be a resident of any county of the state, and shall be paid a salary designated by the judge or chancellor not to exceed the salary authorized by Section 9-13-19 . The salary of the additional court reporter shall be paid by the Administrative Office of Courts, as provided in Section 9-13-19 ; and mileage shall be paid to the additional court reporter by the county as provided in the same section. The office of such additional court reporter appointed under this section shall not be abolished or compensation reduced during the term of office of the appointing judge or chancellor without the consent and approval of the appointing judge or chancellor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-5 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 9-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-5
Status: in_force

(1) The county judge shall possess all of the qualifications of a circuit judge as prescribed by the Mississippi Constitution. In the event of the establishment of a county court by agreement between two (2) or more counties as provided in Section 9-9-3 , the judge of said court may be a qualified elector of any one (1) of said counties, and shall have such other qualifications as provided for by law. The county judge shall be elected by the qualified electors of his county at the time and in the manner as circuit judges are elected and he shall hold office for the same term. Vacancies in the office of county judge shall be filled in the same manner as vacancies in the office of circuit judge.

(2) Provided, however, that in any county having a total population in excess of eleven thousand (11,000) according to the 1970 federal decennial census and a total assessed valuation of real and personal property of not less than sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000.00) and not more than seventeen million dollars ($17,000,000.00) and in which Mississippi Highway 4 and United States Highway 61 intersect, in which there is a vacancy in the post of county judge resulting from the failure of a candidate to qualify for that post, the board of supervisors of such county may, upon certification of such vacancy to the board, appoint a county judge to serve out the term so vacated who shall be a licensed attorney from such county or an adjoining county. The compensation of such attorney shall be the same he would have otherwise received if elected.

(3) In the event that any county wherein is located a state hospital and wherein U.S. Highway 80 and Mississippi Highway 43 intersect shall establish a county court, the county judge of such county shall be elected at the general election to be held on Tuesday after the first Monday of November, 1982, after qualifying therefor as provided by law. Provided, however, that the board of supervisors of such county may appoint a county judge who shall be a licensed attorney from such county until the office of county judge shall be filled pursuant to said election.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-9 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 11 / Section 11-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-9
Status: in_force

Justice court judges shall have jurisdiction of all actions for the recovery of debts or damages or personal property, where the principal of the debt, the amount of the demand, or the value of the property sought to be recovered shall not exceed Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500.00).

The justice court judges shall have no pecuniary interest in the outcome of any action once suit has been filed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-45 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 21-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-45
Status: in_force

(1) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund designated as the Judicial System Operation Fund. The funds shall be administered by the Supreme Court through the Administrative Office of Courts. The fund shall consist of monies deposited therein as provided in Section 99-19-72 and monies from any other source designated for deposit into the fund. The Administrative Office of Courts may also accept monies from any public or private source for deposit into the fund. Money remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned from the investment of monies in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

(2) Monies in the fund shall be subject to appropriation by the Legislature and may only be used for the purpose of the operation of the judicial system in the state as determined necessary by the Supreme Court and to provide additional funds for the judicial salaries set forth in Section 25-3-35 and Section 9-9-11(8) . Monies in the fund used for the purposes described in this section shall be in addition to other funds available from any other source for such purposes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-17 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 27-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-17
Status: in_force

The mental health treatment court coordinator and members of the professional and administrative staff of the mental health treatment court who perform duties in good faith under this chapter are immune from civil liability for:

(a) Acts or omissions in providing services under this chapter; and

(b) The reasonable exercise of discretion in determining eligibility to participate in the mental health court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 9-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-3
Status: in_force

Any two (2) or more counties in the discretion of their respective boards of supervisors may contract and agree between themselves to support and maintain one (1) county court for such counties. If such agreement be made then the expenses of the operation of said court shall be prorated among such two (2) or more counties and the pro rata part of each county shall be paid from the general funds of each county, from any special tax which may be levied for the support of such court, or any funds made available to the county from the Federal Law Enforcement Assistance Administration for this purpose.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-71 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 12 / Section 21-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-71
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) “ Limited English Proficient (LEP) individual ” means any party or witness who cannot readily understand or communicate in spoken English or who does not speak English as his or her primary language and who consequently has a limited ability to read, speak, write or understand English and cannot equally participate in or benefit from the proceedings unless an interpreter is available to assist the individual. The fact that a person for whom English is a second language knows some English does not prohibit that individual from being allowed to have an interpreter.

(b) “ Court interpreter ” means any person authorized by a court who is competent to translate or interpret oral or written communication in a foreign language during court proceedings. A court interpreter may be one (1) of the following:

(i) “ Certified court interpreter ,” which means an interpreter who successfully has met all requirements promulgated by the Administrative Office of Courts to be designated a registered court interpreter and has scored at least seventy percent (70%) on each of the three (3) sections of an approved criterion-referenced oral performance examination.

(ii) “ Registered court interpreter ,” which means an interpreter who has:

1. Attended an approved two-day, fourteen-hour ethics and skill building workshop;

2. Passed an approved criterion-referenced written examination with a minimum overall score of eighty percent (80%);

3. Submitted to a criminal background check;

4. Provided verification of legal right to work in the United States;

5. Executed the Interpreter Oath; and

6. Satisfied any additional requirements that the Administrative Office of Courts may establish in order to be listed as a registered court interpreter on the roster.

(iii) “ Non-credentialed interpreter ,” which means an interpreter who has not met the requirements promulgated by the Administrative Office of Courts to be classified as a registered or certified court interpreter.

(c) “ Court proceedings ” means a proceeding before any court of this state or a grand jury hearing, including all civil and criminal hearings and trials.

(d) “ Interpretation ” means the accurate and complete unrehearsed transmission of an oral message from one (1) language to an oral message in another language. Interpretation may be one (1) of the following:

(i) “ Consecutive interpretation ,” which means providing the target-language message after the speaker has finished speaking.

(ii) “ Sight translation ,” which means oral translation of a written document.

(iii) “ Simultaneous interpretation ,” which means providing the target-language message at approximately the same time the source-language message is being produced.

(e) “ Source language ” means the input language requiring interpretation.

(f) “ Target language ” means the output language into which the utterance is being interpreted.

(g) “ Translation ” means the process of translating text from one (1) language to another to maintain the original message and communication.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-122 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-122
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-122
Status: in_force

(1) Except as otherwise provided herein, no circuit clerk elected for a full term of office commencing on or after January 1, 1996, shall exercise any functions of office or be eligible to take the oath of office unless and until the circuit clerk has filed in the office of the chancery clerk a certificate of completion of a course of training and education conducted by the Mississippi Judicial College of the University of Mississippi Law Center within six (6) months of the beginning of the term for which such circuit clerk is elected. A circuit clerk who has completed the course of training and education and has satisfied his annual continuing education course requirements, and who is then elected for a succeeding term of office subsequent to the initial term for which he completed the training course, shall not be required to repeat the training and education course upon reelection. A circuit clerk that has served either a full term of office or part of a term of office before January 1, 1996, shall be exempt from the requirements of this subsection.

(2) In addition to meeting the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, after taking office by election or otherwise, each circuit clerk shall be required to file annually in the office of the chancery clerk a certificate of completion of a course of continuing education conducted by the Mississippi Judicial College. No circuit clerk shall have to comply with this subsection unless he will have been in office for five (5) months or more during a calendar year.

(3) Each circuit clerk elected for a term commencing on or after January 1, 1992, shall be required to file annually the certificate required in subsection (2) of this section commencing January 1, 1993.

(4) The requirements for obtaining the certificates in this section shall be as provided in subsection (6) of this section.

(5) Upon the failure of any circuit clerk to file with the chancery clerk the certificates of completion as provided in this section, such circuit clerk shall, in addition to any other fine or punishment provided by law for such conduct, not be entitled to any fee, compensation or salary, from any source, for services rendered as circuit clerk, for the period of time during which such certificate remains unfiled.

(6) The Mississippi Judicial College of the University of Mississippi Law Center shall prepare and conduct courses of training for basic and continuing education for circuit clerks of this state. The basic course of training shall be known as the “Circuit Clerks Training Course” and shall consist of at least thirty-two (32) hours of training. The continuing education course shall be known as the “Continuing Education Course for Circuit Clerks” and shall consist of at least eighteen (18) hours of training. The content of the basic and continuing education courses and when and where such courses are to be conducted shall be determined by the judicial college. The judicial college shall issue certificates of completion to those circuit clerks who complete such courses.

(7) The expenses of the training, including training of those elected as circuit clerk who have not yet begun their term of office, shall be borne as an expense of the office of the circuit clerk.

(8) Circuit clerks shall be allowed credit toward their continuing education course requirements for attendance at circuit court proceedings if the presiding circuit court judge certifies that the circuit clerk was in actual attendance at a term or terms of court; provided, however, that at least twelve (12) hours per year of the continuing education course requirements must be completed at a regularly established program or programs conducted by the Mississippi Judicial College.

(9) By August 1, 2015, and each year thereafter, the Administrative Office of Courts shall certify to the Mississippi Judicial College the names of all circuit clerks who have failed to provide the information required by Section 9-1-46 . The judicial college shall not issue a certificate of continuing education required by subsection (2) of this section to any such clerk, and shall report to the State Auditor, and the board of supervisors of the county the clerk is elected from that the clerk shall not be entitled to receive the compensation set out in subsection (5) of this section. A clerk may be certified after coming into compliance with the requirements of Section 9-1-46 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-21 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 7-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-21
Status: in_force

(1) The Sixth Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:

(a) Adams County;

(b) Amite County;

(c) Franklin County; and

(d) Wilkinson County.

(2) The Sixth Circuit Court District shall be divided into two (2) subdistricts as follows:

(a) Subdistrict 6-1 shall consist of Wilkinson County and the following precincts in the following counties:

(i) Adams County: Airport, By-Pass Fire Station, Carpenter, Concord*, Courthouse*, Duncan Park*, Foster Mound, Maryland*, Northside School, Pine Ridge, Thompson and Washington*; and

(ii) Amite County: Ariel, Berwick, Crosby, East Centreville, East Gloster*, Gloster*, Homochitto, South Liberty* and Street.

(b) Subdistrict 6-2 shall consist of Franklin County and the following precincts in the following counties:

(i) Adams County: Beau Pre, Bellemont, Concord*, Convention Center, Courthouse*, Duncan Park*, Kingston, Liberty Park, Maryland*, Morgantown, Oakland, Palestine and Washington*; and

(ii) Amite County: Amite River, East Fork, East Gloster*, East Liberty, Gloster*, Liberty, New Zion, Oneil, Riceville, Smithdale, South Liberty*, Tangipahoa, Tickfaw, Walls and Zion Hills.

(3) There shall be two (2) judges for the Sixth Circuit Court District. The two (2) judgeships shall be separate and distinct. One (1) judge shall be elected from each subdistrict.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-13 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / Section 23-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-13
Status: in_force

(1) An intervention court's alcohol and drug intervention component shall provide for eligible individuals, either directly or through referrals, a range of necessary court intervention services, including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) Screening using a valid and reliable assessment tool effective for identifying alcohol and drug dependent persons for eligibility and appropriate services;

(b) Clinical assessment; for a DUI offense, if the person has two (2) or more DUI convictions, the court shall order the person to undergo an assessment that uses a standardized evidence-based instrument performed by a physician to determine whether the person has a diagnosis for alcohol and/or drug dependence and would likely benefit from a court-approved medication-assisted treatment indicated and approved for the treatment of alcohol and/or drug dependence by the United States Food and Drug Administration, as specified in the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association. Upon considering the results of the assessment, the court may refer the person to a rehabilitative program that offers one or more forms of court-approved medications that are approved for the treatment of alcohol and/or drug dependence by the United States Food and Drug Administration;

(c) Education;

(d) Referral;

(e) Service coordination and case management; and

(f) Counseling and rehabilitative care.

(2) Any inpatient treatment or inpatient detoxification program ordered by the court shall be certified by the Department of Mental Health, other appropriate state agency or the equivalent agency of another state.

(3) All intervention courts shall make available the option for participants to use court-approved medication-assisted treatment while participating in the programs of the court in accordance with the recommendations of the National Drug Court Institute.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-91 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-91
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-91
Status: in_force

The circuit court may render judgments according to the principles and usages of law, in all cases cognizable before it, and award executions, directed to the sheriff or other proper officer of any county. The court, upon legal conviction of a person of a crime or misdemeanor, shall proceed to judgment and award execution thereon as the law directs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-23 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 5-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-23
Status: in_force

(1) The Seventh Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:

(a) Bolivar County;

(b) Coahoma County;

(c) Leflore County;

(d) Quitman County;

(e) Tallahatchie County; and

(f) Tunica County.

(2) The Seventh Chancery Court District shall be divided into two (2) subdistricts as follows:

(a) Subdistrict 7-1 shall consist of Bolivar County and Coahoma County;

(b) Subdistrict 7-2 shall consist of Leflore County, Quitman County, Tallahatchie County and Tunica County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-31 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 9-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-31
Status: in_force

The county prosecuting attorney shall be the prosecuting attorney of the county court, and he shall prosecute all cases therein which he is now required by law to prosecute, and all cases appealed from the county court to the circuit court, in which it is the duty of the county attorney, under the law, to appear and prosecute.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-23 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 9-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-23
Status: reserved

The county judge shall have power to issue writs, and to try matters, of habeas corpus on application to him therefor, or when made returnable before him by a superior judge. He shall also have the power to order the issuance of writs of certiorari, supersedeas, attachments, and other remedial writs in all cases pending in, or within the jurisdiction of, his court. He shall have the authority to issue search warrants in his county returnable to his own court or to any court of a justice of the peace within his county in the same manner as is provided by law for the issuance of search warrants by justices of the peace. In all cases pending in, or within the jurisdiction of, his court, he shall have, in term time, and in vacation, the power to order, do or determine to the same extent and in the same manner as a justice of the peace or a circuit judge or a chancellor could do in term time or in vacation in such cases. But he shall not have original power to issue writs of injunction, or other remedial writs in equity or in law except in those cases hereinabove specified as being within his jurisdiction: Provided, however, that when any judge or chancellor authorized to issue such writs of injunction, or any other equitable or legal remedial writs hereinabove reserved, shall so direct in writing the hearing of application therefor may be by him referred to the county judge, in which event the said direction of the superior judge shall vest in the said county judge all authority to take such action on said application as the said superior judge could have taken under the right and the law, had the said application been at all times before the said superior judge. The jurisdiction authorized under the foregoing proviso shall cease upon the denying or granting of the application.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-9 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 17 / Section 21-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-9
Status: in_force

(1) The Administrative Director of Courts shall have the following duties and authority with respect to all courts in addition to any other duties and responsibilities as may be properly assigned by the Supreme Court and/or by law:

(a) To require the filing of reports, the collection and compilation of statistical data and other information on the judicial and financial operation of the courts and on the operation of other offices directly related to and serving the courts;

(b) To determine the state of the dockets and evaluate the practices and procedures of the courts and make recommendations concerning the number of judges and other personnel required for the efficient administration of justice;

(c) To prescribe uniform administrative and business methods, systems, forms and records to be used in the offices of the clerks of courts;

(d) To devise, promulgate and require the use of a uniform youth court case tracking system, including a youth court case filing form for filing with each individual youth court matter, to be utilized by the Administrative Office of Courts and the youth courts in order that the number of youthful offenders, abused, neglected, truant and dependent children, as well as children in need of special care and children in need of supervision, may be tracked with specificity through the youth court and adult justice systems; in support of the uniform case docketing system, the director shall require that all youth courts utilize the Mississippi Youth Court Information Delivery System (MYCIDS);

(e) To develop, promulgate and require the use of a statewide docket numbering system to be utilized by the youth courts, which youth court docket numbers shall standardize and unify the numbering system by which youth court docket numbers are assigned, such that each docket number would, among other things, identify the county and year in which a particular youth court action was commenced;

(f) To develop, promulgate and require the use of uniform youth court orders and forms in all youth courts and youth court proceedings;

(g) To prepare and submit budget recommendations for state appropriations necessary for the maintenance and operation of the judicial system and to authorize expenditures from funds appropriated for these purposes as permitted or authorized by law;

(h) To develop and implement personnel policies for nonjudicial personnel employed by the courts;

(i) To investigate, make recommendations concerning and assist in the securing of adequate physical accommodations for the judicial system;

(j) To procure, distribute, exchange, transfer and assign such equipment, books, forms and supplies as are acquired with state funds or grant funds or otherwise for the judicial system;

(k) To make recommendations for the improvement of the operations of the judicial system;

(l) To prepare and submit an annual report on the work of the judicial system to the Supreme Court;

(m) To take necessary steps in the collection of unpaid court costs, fines and forfeitures;

(n) To perform such additional administrative duties relating to the improvement of the administration of justice as may be assigned by the Supreme Court; and

(o) To promulgate standards, rules and regulations for computer and/or electronic filing and storage of all court records and court-related records maintained throughout the state in courts and in offices of circuit and chancery clerks.

(p) To utilize the provisions of law that regulate public purchasing in Sections 31-7-1 et seq. , to contract with a provider to effectuate the requirements of paragraph (d) for the Mississippi Youth Court Information Delivery System (MYCIDS).

(2)(a) The Administrative Director of Courts shall conduct an audit of the Mississippi Youth Court Information Delivery System (MYCIDS), by August 1, 2024, to review: the services provided by the system, any contractors or employees used to administer the system, the process used to design or administer the system, guidelines used to create the system and the primary functions of the system and whether the system can be accessed by users of the Mississippi Electronic Court System or merged with the Mississippi Electronic Court System.

(b) The Administrative Director of Courts shall provide a report to the Judiciary A Committees of the Mississippi House of Representatives and the Senate by September 1, 2024, that includes:

(i) A copy of the audit;

(ii) Recommendations that resolve any deficiencies in the system or improve the system;

(iii) Recommendations that outline the creation of a new system which is to be in operation by July 1, 2026.

(iv) A list of the companies or agencies that have submitted bids to resolve deficiencies, make improvements or create a new system.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-4 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 11-4
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-4
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The Mississippi Judicial College of the University of Mississippi Law Center shall prepare and conduct courses of training for basic and continuing education for justice court judges of this state. The basic course of training shall be known as the “Justice Court Judge Training Course” and shall consist of eighty (80) hours of training. The continuing education course shall be known as the “Continuing Education Course for Justice Court Judges,” and shall consist of twenty-four (24) hours of training. The content of the basic and continuing education courses and when and where such courses are to be conducted shall be determined by the Judicial College. The Judicial College shall issue certificates of completion to those justice court judges who complete such courses.

(b) The Mississippi Judicial College of the University of Mississippi Law Center shall prepare and administer a minimum competency examination, as approved by the Mississippi Supreme Court, upon completion of the required basic course of training for justice court judges. If an elected justice court judge fails to complete the examination or fails the examination, there shall be a remedial twenty-four-hour course to be followed by a second opportunity for the justice court judge to achieve a passing score on the minimum competency examination.

(2) All costs and expenses for preparing and conducting the basic and continuing education courses, the remedial basic course, and the minimum competency examination provided for in subsection (1) of this section shall be paid out of any funds which are made available to the Judicial College upon authorization and appropriation by the Legislature.

(3) The competency examination requirements in Sections 9-11-3 and 9-11-4 shall not apply to any sitting justice court judge as of July 24, 2008.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-51 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / Section 21-51
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-51
Status: in_force

(1) The Supreme Court through the Administrative Office of Courts shall conduct a study to determine the progress of the implementation of Chapter 458, Laws of 1994 and Chapter 521, Laws of 1994. In conducting such study, the Administrative Office of Courts shall examine the various court systems and county offices in the state as defined in Section 9-1-51 to determine the types of computer software and hardware being used by courts and county offices which have elected to store records electronically. The Administrative Office of Courts, after consultation with designees of the Mississippi Association of Supervisors, the Mississippi Circuit Clerks' Association, the Mississippi Association of Chancery Clerks, the Mississippi Municipal Association, The Mississippi Bar, the Department of Archives and History and such other interested entities as the Administrative Office of Courts may identify, shall promulgate standards, rules and regulations for computer and/or electronic filing and storage of all court records and court-related records maintained throughout the state in courts and in county offices. The standards, rules and regulations required by this subsection shall be completed by the Administrative Office of Courts and adopted by the Supreme Court on or before July 1, 1998.

(2) Concurrently with the study mandated in subsection (1) of this section, the Administrative Office of Courts shall consult with designees of the Mississippi Association of Supervisors, the Mississippi Circuit Clerks' Association, the Mississippi Association of Chancery Clerks, the Assessors/Collectors Association, the Mississippi Municipal Association, the Mississippi State Tax Commission, The Mississippi Bar, the Department of Archives and History and such other interested entities as the Administrative Office of Courts may identify for the purpose of jointly considering and jointly proposing to the Legislature recommendations relating to the electronic filing and storage of all noncourt records maintained throughout the state in county offices as defined in Section 9-1-51 . The Administrative Office of Courts shall report to the Legislature not later than January 1, 1998, a summary report of the types of computer software and hardware being used by courts and county offices which have elected to store records electronically, the rules promulgated pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, as well as the recommendations of the group as to the standards, rules and regulations for computer and/or electronic filing and storage of all noncourt records maintained throughout the state in county offices.

(3) All courts and county offices electing to store court records and court-related records electronically shall comply with the standards, rules and regulations promulgated by the Administrative Office of Courts and adopted by the Mississippi Supreme Court. Any courts or county offices which currently store court records and court-related records electronically or which elect to store such records electronically before January 1, 1998, must bring such systems into compliance with the standards, rules and regulations no later than January 1, 1999.

The Administrative Office of Courts shall assist any court or county office currently storing court records or court-related records electronically or electing to store such records before July 1, 1999, in order to assure compliance with the standards, rules and regulations to be promulgated.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-93 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-93
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-93
Status: in_force

In the county where it may be necessary, in the discretion of the court or judge, the court may designate a certain portion of the time allotted for the holding of court exclusively to the civil business and a certain portion of the time exclusively to the hearing of criminal business, and in cases where the court or judge does this, the court or judge shall so allot the time as to meet the necessities of the criminal and civil business, and, in all cases where it is practical to do so, the court or judge shall separate the civil and criminal business, so that certain time shall be devoted to each.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-13 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-13
Status: in_force

The Third Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:

(a) Benton County;

(b) Calhoun County;

(c) Chickasaw County;

(d) Lafayette County;

(e) Marshall County;

(f) Tippah County; and

(g) Union County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-11 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 5-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-11
Status: in_force

(1) The Third Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:

(a) DeSoto County;

(b) Grenada County;

(c) Montgomery County;

(d) Panola County;

(e) Tate County; and

(f) Yalobusha County.

(2) The Third Chancery Court District shall be divided into two (2) subdistricts as follows:

(a) Subdistrict 3-1 shall consist of DeSoto County.

(b) Subdistrict 3-2 shall consist of Grenada County, Montgomery County, Panola County, Tate County and Yalobusha County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-17 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 5-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-17
Status: in_force

(1) The Fifth Chancery Court District is composed of Hinds County.

(2) The Fifth Chancery Court District shall be divided into the following four (4) subdistricts:

(a) Subdistrict 5-1 shall consist of the following precincts in Hinds County: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 44, 45, 46, 47, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 92, 93, 96 and 97.

(b) Subdistrict 5-2 shall consist of the following precincts in Hinds County: 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, Brownsville, Cynthia, Pocahontas and Tinnin.

(c) Subdistrict 5-3 shall consist of the following precincts in Hinds County: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 31, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 86, 89 and Jackson State.

(d) Subdistrict 5-4 shall consist of the following precincts in Hinds County: 87, 88, 90, 91, 94, 95, Bolton, Byram 1, Byram 2, Cayuga, Chapel Hill, Clinton 1, Clinton 2, Clinton 3, Clinton 4, Clinton 5, Clinton 6, Dry Grove, Edwards, Learned, Old Byram, Pinehaven, Raymond 1, Raymond 2, Spring Ridge, St. Thomas, Terry, Utica 1 and Utica 2.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-5 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 7-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-5
Status: in_force

The First Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:

(a) Alcorn County;

(b) Itawamba County;

(c) Lee County;

(d) Monroe County;

(e) Pontotoc County;

(f) Prentiss County; and

(g) Tishomingo County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-29 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / Section 13-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-29
Status: in_force

At any time prior to the expiration of the period allowed by law to perfect an appeal to the supreme court, or before the determination of the suit, any party to said suit, or any witness who may have testified therein, may, upon petition duly filed and presented to the court or presented to the trial judge thereof in vacation, and upon ten days notice to the opposite party or parties, or to one of his attorneys of record, in which notice the time and place of the presentation of the petition shall be given, obtain an order from the court or judge authorizing the clerk of the court to permit said petitioning party to withdraw from the clerk's custody, any exhibit, map or other item of evidence, which may be the property of said party or witness, if in the opinion of the court or judge such withdrawal shall be proper. Provided, however, the party or witness requesting the withdrawal shall cause a true copy of such exhibit, map, or other item of evidence, or matter of proceeding to be made by the clerk, and such clerk shall duly certify to the correctness of the copy, and such party or witness shall pay all fees authorized by law for making such copy and for such certificate; the clerk shall be required to make the copy and certificate upon the payment of such fees. Thereafter such certified copy of said exhibit, map or other item of evidence, or matter of proceedings shall remain in custody of the clerk, and during any hearing or trial of the cause and for all other purposes the duly certified copy of such exhibit, map or item of evidence, or matter of proceeding shall be deemed and considered as the true exhibit, map, item of evidence or matter of proceeding exhibited and introduced in such suit.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-57 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-57
Status: in_force

The Twenty-second Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:

(a) Claiborne County;

(b) Copiah County; and

(c) Jefferson County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-17 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 25 / Section 27-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-17
Status: in_force

The mental health treatment court coordinator and members of the professional and administrative staff of the mental health treatment court who perform duties in good faith under this chapter are immune from civil liability for:

(a) Acts or omissions in providing services under this chapter; and

(b) The reasonable exercise of discretion in determining eligibility to participate in the mental health court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 7-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-3
Status: in_force

(1) The state is divided into an appropriate number of circuit court districts severally numbered and composed of the counties as set forth in the sections which follow. A court to be styled “The Circuit Court of the County of ․․․․” shall be held in each county, and within each judicial district of a county having two (2) judicial districts, at least twice a year. Court shall be held in circuit court districts consisting of a single county on the same dates state agencies and political subdivisions are open for business excluding legal holidays. The dates upon which terms shall commence and the number of days for which the terms shall continue in circuit court districts consisting of more than one (1) county shall be set by order of the circuit court judge in accordance with the provisions of subsection (2) of this section. A matter in court may extend past a term if the interest of justice so requires.

(2) An order establishing the commencement and continuation of terms of court for each of the counties within a circuit court district consisting of more than one (1) county shall be entered annually and not later than October 1 of the year immediately preceding the calendar year for which the terms of court are to become effective. Notice of the dates upon which the terms of court shall commence and the number of days for which the terms shall continue in each of the counties within a circuit court district shall be posted in the office of the circuit clerk of each county within the district and mailed to the office of the Secretary of State for publication and distribution to all Mississippi Bar members. If an order is not timely entered, the terms of court for each of the counties within any circuit court district shall remain unchanged for the next calendar year. A certified copy of any order entered under the provisions of this subsection shall, immediately upon the entry thereof, be delivered to the clerk of the board of supervisors in each of the counties within the circuit court district.

(3) The number of judges in each circuit court district shall be determined by the Legislature based upon the following criteria:

(a) The population of the district;

(b) The number of cases filed in the district;

(c) The case load of each judge in the district;

(d) The geographic area of the district;

(e) An analysis of the needs of the district by the court personnel of the district; and

(f) Any other appropriate criteria.

(4) The Judicial College of the University of Mississippi Law Center and the Administrative Office of Courts shall determine the appropriate:

(a) Specific data to be collected as a basis for applying the above criteria;

(b) Method of collecting and maintaining the specified data; and

(c) Method of assimilating the specified data.

(5) In a district having more than one (1) office of circuit judge, there shall be no distinction whatsoever in the powers, duties and emoluments of those offices except that the judge who has been for the longest time continuously a judge of that court or, should no judge have served longer in office than the others, the judge who has been for the longest time a member of The Mississippi Bar, shall be the senior judge. The senior judge shall have the right to assign causes and dockets and to set terms in districts consisting of more than one (1) county. A circuit court judge shall have the right to assign criminal matters to county court as provided in Section 9-9-21 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-1 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 13-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-1
Status: in_force

Each circuit judge and chancellor shall appoint a competent person as shorthand reporter in his district by an entry upon the minutes of the court of an order to that effect, dated and signed by him. The said shorthand reporter shall be known as the official court reporter of said district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-87 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 5-87
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-87
Status: in_force

The chancery court, or the chancellor in vacation, or judge granting the writ, shall have power to punish any person for breach of injunction, or any other order, decree, or process of the court, by fine or imprisonment, or both, or the chancellor or judge granting the writ may require bail for the appearance of the party at the next term of the court to answer for the contempt; but such person shall be first cited to appear and answer. And any person so punished by order of the chancellor in vacation, may on five (5) days' notice to the opposite party, apply to a judge of the Supreme Court, who, for good cause shown, may supersede the punishment until the meeting of the said chancery court.

At the discretion of the court, any person found in contempt for failure to pay child support and imprisoned therefor may be referred for placement in a state, county or municipal restitution, house arrest or restorative justice center or program, provided such person meets the qualifications prescribed in Section 99-37-19 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-19 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 7-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-19
Status: in_force

The Fifth Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:

(a) Attala County;

(b) Carroll County;

(c) Choctaw County;

(d) Grenada County;

(e) Montgomery County;

(f) Webster County; and

(g) Winston County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-29 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 11-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-29
Status: in_force

(1) Within ninety (90) days after appointment, every person appointed as clerk of the justice court under the provisions of Section 9-11-27 , or a deputy clerk designated to receive training under Section 9-11-27 , shall file annually in the office of the circuit clerk a certificate of completion of a course of training and education conducted by the Mississippi Judicial College of the University of Mississippi Law Center. The training course shall be known as the “Justice Court Clerks Training Course” and shall consist of at least twelve (12) hours of instruction. The contents of the courses and when and where the courses are to be conducted shall be determined by the judicial college. The judicial college shall issue a certificate of completion to the clerks and deputy clerks who complete a course.

(2) Every person appointed as clerk and deputy clerk of the justice court shall, before entering into the duties of the position, give bond, with sufficient surety, to be payable, conditioned and approved as provided by law and in the same manner as other county officers, in a penalty equal to Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00); and any party interested may proceed on such bond in a summary way, by motion in any court having jurisdiction of the same, against the principal and sureties, upon giving five (5) days' previous notice. The cost of the bond shall be paid by the county.

(3) Upon the failure of any person appointed as clerk of the justice court to file the certificates of completion as provided in subsection (1) of this section, that person shall not be allowed to carry out any of the duties of the office of clerk of the justice court, and shall not be entitled to compensation for the period of time during which the required certificates remain unfiled.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-45 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 13-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-45
Status: in_force

If the court reporter willfully neglects to perform any duty required of him by law, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof, may be fined not exceeding Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or imprisoned not more than six (6) months. Moreover, he shall be liable to a deduction from his salary at the rate of Ten Dollars ($10.00) a day for each day that he shall be in such default, which deduction shall be made by the court when it authorizes his salary to the Administrative Office of the Courts, and in addition thereto he shall be liable on his bond to the party injured for all damages which may be sustained by reason of his neglect of duty. If any court reporter shall neglect or refuse to transcribe his official notes and to file such transcript within the time and in the manner required by law, or by order of the court or judge, he shall be liable upon his bond for a penalty in the amount of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00), to be recovered by the party aggrieved thereby, whether the person aggrieved has suffered any actual damage or not.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-13 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / Section 9-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-13
Status: in_force

The governing body of any municipality with a population in excess of one hundred thousand (100,000) persons, upon determination that municipal security or efficiency is involved in the judicial process in the handling of appeals from municipal court and of related matters, may contract to supplement the salary of county judicial officers in the county in which such municipality is located in exchange for the surrender by such judicial officers of the right to engage in the practice of law. The salary of such judicial officer so supplemented shall not exceed the salary of circuit or chancery judges in such county or of municipal councilmen, whichever is less.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-132 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-132
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-132
Status: in_force

(1) Except as otherwise provided herein, no chancery clerk elected for a full term of office commencing on or after January 1, 1996, shall exercise any functions of office or be eligible to take the oath of office unless and until the chancery clerk has filed in the office of the circuit clerk a certificate of completion of a course of training and education conducted by the Mississippi Judicial College of the University of Mississippi Law Center within six (6) months of the beginning of the term for which such chancery clerk is elected. A chancery clerk who has completed the course of training and education and has satisfied his annual continuing education course requirements, and who is then elected for a succeeding term of office subsequent to the initial term for which he completed the training course, shall not be required to repeat the training and education course upon reelection. Any chancery clerk who has served a full or partial term before January 1, 1996, shall be exempt from the requirements of this subsection.

(2) In addition to meeting the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, after taking office by election or otherwise, each chancery clerk shall be required to file annually in the office of the circuit clerk a certificate of completion of a course of continuing education conducted by the Mississippi Judicial College. No chancery clerk shall have to comply with this subsection unless he will have been in office for five (5) months or more during a calendar year.

(3) Each chancery clerk elected for a term commencing on or after January 1, 1992, shall be required to file annually the certificate required in subsection (2) of this section commencing January 1, 1994.

(4) The requirements for obtaining the certificates in this section shall be as provided in subsection (6) of this section.

(5) Upon the failure of any chancery clerk to file with the circuit clerk the certificates of completion as provided in this section, such chancery clerk shall, in addition to any other fine or punishment provided by law for such conduct, not be entitled to any fee, compensation or salary, from any source, for services rendered as chancery clerk, for the period of time during which such certificate remains unfiled.

(6) The Mississippi Judicial College of the University of Mississippi Law Center shall prepare and conduct courses of training for basic and continuing education for chancery clerks of this state. The basic course of training shall be known as the “Chancery Clerks Training Course” and shall consist of at least thirty-two (32) hours of training. The continuing education course shall be known as the “Continuing Education Course for Chancery Clerks,” and shall consist of at least eighteen (18) hours of training. The content of the basic and continuing education courses and when and where such courses are to be conducted shall be determined by the judicial college. The judicial college shall issue certificates of completion to those chancery clerks who complete such courses.

(7) The expenses of the training, including training of those elected as chancery clerk who have not yet begun their term of office, shall be borne as an expense of the office of the chancery clerk.

(8) Chancery clerks shall be allowed credit toward their continuing education course requirements for attendance at chancery court proceedings if the presiding chancery court judge certifies that the chancery clerk was in actual attendance at a term or terms of court; provided, however, that at least twelve (12) hours per year of the continuing education course requirements must be completed at a regularly established program or programs conducted by the Mississippi Judicial College.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-7 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 23-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-7
Status: in_force

The Administrative Office of Courts shall be responsible for certification and monitoring of local intervention courts according to standards promulgated by the State Intervention Courts Advisory Committee.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-73 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 21-73
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-73
Status: in_force

(1) The Administrative Office of Courts shall establish a program to facilitate the use of interpreters in all courts of the State of Mississippi.

(2)(a) The Administrative Office of Courts shall prescribe the qualifications of and qualify persons who may serve as credentialed court interpreters in all courts of the State of Mississippi. The Administrative Office of Courts may set and charge a reasonable fee for credentialing.

(b) The Administrative Office of Courts shall maintain a current master list of all credentialed court interpreters (the “Roster”).

(3) In all bilingual proceedings, the presiding judicial officer, with the assistance of the Administrative Office of Courts, shall utilize the services of an interpreter to communicate all spoken or written words when the necessity therefor has been determined pursuant to Section 9-21-79 .

(4) A Limited English Proficient (LEP) individual is entitled to use an interpreter in any instance arising out of or pertaining to the individual's involvement in litigation.

(5) All courts shall maintain on file in the office of the clerk of the court a list of all persons who have been credentialed as court interpreters in accordance with the Administrative Office of Court's Credentialing Program established pursuant to this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-11 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 19 / Section 27-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-11
Status: in_force

(1) In order to be eligible for alternative sentencing through a local mental health treatment court, the defendant must satisfy each of the following criteria:

(a) The defendant cannot have any felony convictions for any offenses that are crimes of violence as defined in Section 97-3-2 , other than burglary under Section 97-17-23(1) , within the previous ten (10) years.

(b) The crime before the court cannot be a crime of violence as defined in Section 97-3-2 , other than burglary under Section 97-17-23(1) .

(c) Other criminal proceedings alleging commission of a crime of violence other than burglary under Section 97-17-23(1) cannot be pending against the defendant.

(d) The crime before the court cannot be a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or any other substance that resulted in the death of a person. In addition, defendants who are ineligible for nonadjudication under Section 63-11-30 shall be ineligible to participate in a mental health treatment court.

(e) The crime charged cannot be one of trafficking in controlled substances under Section 41-29-139(f) , nor can the defendant have a prior conviction for the same.

(2) Participation in the services of a mental health treatment component court shall be open only to the defendant over whom the court has jurisdiction, except that the court may agree to provide the services for participants referred from another mental health treatment court. In cases transferred from another jurisdiction, the receiving judge shall act as a special master and make recommendations to the sentencing judge.

(3)(a) As a condition of participation in a mental health treatment court, a defendant shall be required to undergo chemical testing as specified by the program. A participant is liable for the costs of all chemical tests required under this section, regardless of whether the costs are paid to the mental health treatment court or the laboratory; however, if testing is available from other sources or the program itself, the judge may waive any fees for testing. Fees may be waived if the defendant is determined by the court to be indigent.

(b) A laboratory that performs a chemical test under this section shall report the results of the test to the mental health treatment court.

(4) A defendant does not have a right to participate in a mental health treatment court under this chapter. The court having jurisdiction over a defendant for a matter before the court shall have the final determination about whether the defendant may participate in the mental health treatment court under this chapter. However, any defendant meeting the eligibility criteria in subsection (1) of this section, shall, upon request, be screened for admission into the court's program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-123 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-123
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-123
Status: in_force

(1) The clerk of the circuit court shall have power, with the approbation of the court, or of the judge in vacation, to appoint one or more deputies, who shall take the oath of office and may give bond, and who thereupon shall have power to do and perform all the acts and duties which their principal may lawfully do; such approval, when given by the judge in vacation, shall be in writing, and shall be entered on the minutes of the court at the next term.

(2) Each deputy clerk of the circuit court, before he enters upon the duties of the appointment, shall take the oath of office, and shall give bond, with sufficient surety, to be payable, conditioned and approved as provided by law, in a penalty equal to three percent (3%) of the sum of all the state and county taxes shown by the assessment rolls and the levies to have been collectible in the county for the year immediately preceding the commencement of the term of office for the circuit clerk. However, the amount of such bond shall not be less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) nor more than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00). The bond shall cover all monies coming into the hands of the deputy clerk by law or order of the court. The board of supervisors, in its discretion, may pay the bond on behalf of the deputy clerk.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-123 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 11 / Section 13-123
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-123
Status: in_force

As used in Sections 9-13-101 through 9-13-121 :

(a) “ Courts ” includes all courts. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as a limitation upon the power of the Supreme Court or of the trial courts to govern the conduct of, and to discipline, official court reporters, nor shall this chapter be construed as any limitation upon the rights of any individual to seek any remedy afforded by law, nor as any exclusive mode of regulating court reporters.

(b) “ Court reporter ” means a Certified Shorthand Reporter or a Certified Stenomask Reporter.

(c) “The practice of court reporting ” means the making of a verbatim record by means of written symbols or abbreviations in pen shorthand, machine shorthand, or oral stenography, also known as steno mask, of testimony or proceedings relevant to matters under the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Mississippi, all state agencies or the Legislature or any committee or subcommittee thereof, or where appeal to any court of the State of Mississippi is allowable by law.

(d) “The making of a verbatim record ” includes the taking of a deposition.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-18.3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 9-18.3
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-18.3
Status: in_force

(1) In order to relieve the crowded condition of the docket in the county court and in the youth court of Lauderdale County and particularly to facilitate and make possible the trial and disposition of the large number of causes on the docket and in the youth court, there shall be two (2) county judges for Lauderdale County, provided for and elected as herein set out.

(2) For the purposes of nomination and election, the two (2) judgeships shall be separate and distinct, the presently existing judgeship and its succession to be denominated for purposes of appointment, nomination and election only as “Place One” and the judgeship hereby created and its succession for said selfsame purposes and none other to be designated as “Place Two.” There shall be no distinction whatsoever in the powers, duties and emoluments of the two (2) offices of county judge, except that the county judge of Lauderdale County who has been for the longest time continuously a county judge of the county shall have the right to assign causes, terms and dockets. Should neither judge of the county court have served longer in office than the other, then that judge of the county court who has been for the longest time a member of The Mississippi Bar shall have the right to assign causes, terms and dockets.

(3) While there shall be no limitation whatsoever upon the powers and duties of the said county judges other than as cast upon them by the Constitution and laws of this state, the county court of Lauderdale County may, in the discretion of the county judge who has been for the longest time continuously a judge of said court, be divided into civil, equity, criminal and youth court divisions as a matter of convenience by the entry of an order upon the minutes of the court.

(4) The initial holder of the additional judgeship created by this section, or “Place Two,” shall be elected in the regular election of November 2006; candidates therefor shall qualify to run not later than forty-five (45) days before that election. The person elected shall begin the term of office in January of 2007 at the same time as county judges generally, and there shall be no vacancy of the office before that time. Thereafter the two (2) judges shall otherwise be elected, and any vacancy in office filled, as provided for county judges generally.

(5) The Board of Supervisors of Lauderdale County may, in its discretion, set aside, appropriate and expend monies from the general fund to be used in the payment of salaries of judges, clerks, reporters, officers and employees of the youth court division of the county court, including the related facilities of the youth court division of the county court, and such funds shall be expended for no other purposes. The county shall not be reimbursed for the amount of any such levy provided for by this section under the terms of the Homestead Exemption Law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-43 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-43
Status: in_force

The Sixteenth Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:

(a) Clay County;

(b) Lowndes County;

(c) Noxubee County; and

(d) Oktibbeha County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-21 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 13 / Section 13-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-21
Status: in_force

In each suit, cause or matter where (1) a plea or answer is filed, and (2) in probate or any other cause or matter wherein the court reporter actually serves, a court reporter's tax fee of ten dollars ($10.00) shall be collected as costs, and paid into the treasury of the county in which the case is tried, as the jury tax is collected by law and paid in the circuit court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-77 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 21-77
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-77
Status: in_force

(1) Prior to providing any service to a Limited English Proficient (LEP) individual, the interpreter shall subscribe to an oath that he or she shall interpret all communications in an accurate manner to the best of his or her skill and knowledge.

(2) The oath shall conform substantially to the following form:

INTERPRETER'S OATH

“Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will faithfully interpret from (state the language) into English and from English into (state the language) the proceedings before this court in an accurate manner to the best of your skill and knowledge?”

(3) Interpreters shall not voluntarily disclose any admission or communication that is declared to be confidential or privileged under state law. Out-of-court disclosures made by a Limited English Proficient (LEP) individual communicating through an interpreter shall be treated by the interpreter as confidential or privileged or both unless the court orders the interpreter to disclose such communications or the Limited English Proficient (LEP) individual waives such confidentiality or privilege.

(4) Interpreters shall not publicly discuss, report or offer an opinion concerning a matter in which they are engaged, even when that information is not privileged or required by law to be confidential.

(5) The presence of an interpreter shall not affect the privileged nature of any discussion.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-3-21 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 3-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-3-21
Status: in_force

The clerk shall keep a docket of criminal cases, on which he shall enter all criminal cases brought before the court in the order in which they may be sent up or certified; and he shall keep such other dockets as may be deemed proper by the court. Provided, however, that all cases brought before the court in which the defendant has been sentenced to suffer the death penalty shall be preference cases, and shall be set down for hearing and submission not later than sixty (60) days after the filing of the transcript of the record in the office of the clerk of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court, by order upon its minutes, for good cause shown and to prevent injustice, may extend the time for hearing or submission in any case in which the defendant has been sentenced to suffer the death penalty.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-19 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 11 / Section 27-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-19
Status: in_force

If the participant completes all requirements imposed by the mental health treatment court, the charge and prosecution shall be dismissed. If the defendant was sentenced at the time of entry of a plea of guilty, the successful completion of the mental health treatment court order and other requirements of probation or suspension of sentence will result in the record of the criminal conviction or adjudication being expunged. However, no expunction of any implied consent violations shall be allowed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-1-103 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 1-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-1-103
Status: in_force

Whenever a vacancy shall occur in any judicial office by reason of death of an incumbent, resignation or retirement of an incumbent, removal of an incumbent from office, or creation of a new judicial office in which there has not heretofore been an incumbent, the Governor shall have the authority to appoint a qualified person to fill such vacancy to serve for the unexpired term or until such vacancy is filled by election as provided in Section 23-15-849, Mississippi Code of 1972 . When a vacancy shall occur for any of the reasons enumerated in this section, the clerk of the court shall notify the Governor of such vacancy immediately.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-17-2 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-2
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-17-2
Status: in_force

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, in consultation with the Administrative Office of Courts shall appoint a court administrator whose primary duty is to manage the caseload of the special judges appointed in Section 9-7-26 . The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, in consultation with the Administrative Office of Courts, shall set the compensation for the court administrator authorized in this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-71 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 19 / Section 21-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-71
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) “ Limited English Proficient (LEP) individual ” means any party or witness who cannot readily understand or communicate in spoken English or who does not speak English as his or her primary language and who consequently has a limited ability to read, speak, write or understand English and cannot equally participate in or benefit from the proceedings unless an interpreter is available to assist the individual. The fact that a person for whom English is a second language knows some English does not prohibit that individual from being allowed to have an interpreter.

(b) “ Court interpreter ” means any person authorized by a court who is competent to translate or interpret oral or written communication in a foreign language during court proceedings. A court interpreter may be one (1) of the following:

(i) “ Certified court interpreter ,” which means an interpreter who successfully has met all requirements promulgated by the Administrative Office of Courts to be designated a registered court interpreter and has scored at least seventy percent (70%) on each of the three (3) sections of an approved criterion-referenced oral performance examination.

(ii) “ Registered court interpreter ,” which means an interpreter who has:

1. Attended an approved two-day, fourteen-hour ethics and skill building workshop;

2. Passed an approved criterion-referenced written examination with a minimum overall score of eighty percent (80%);

3. Submitted to a criminal background check;

4. Provided verification of legal right to work in the United States;

5. Executed the Interpreter Oath; and

6. Satisfied any additional requirements that the Administrative Office of Courts may establish in order to be listed as a registered court interpreter on the roster.

(iii) “ Non-credentialed interpreter ,” which means an interpreter who has not met the requirements promulgated by the Administrative Office of Courts to be classified as a registered or certified court interpreter.

(c) “ Court proceedings ” means a proceeding before any court of this state or a grand jury hearing, including all civil and criminal hearings and trials.

(d) “ Interpretation ” means the accurate and complete unrehearsed transmission of an oral message from one (1) language to an oral message in another language. Interpretation may be one (1) of the following:

(i) “ Consecutive interpretation ,” which means providing the target-language message after the speaker has finished speaking.

(ii) “ Sight translation ,” which means oral translation of a written document.

(iii) “ Simultaneous interpretation ,” which means providing the target-language message at approximately the same time the source-language message is being produced.

(e) “ Source language ” means the input language requiring interpretation.

(f) “ Target language ” means the output language into which the utterance is being interpreted.

(g) “ Translation ” means the process of translating text from one (1) language to another to maintain the original message and communication.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-4-5 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 4-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-4-5
Status: in_force

(1) The term of office of judges of the Court of Appeals shall be eight (8) years. An election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 1994, to elect the ten (10) judges of the Court of Appeals, two (2) from each congressional district; provided, however, judges of the Court of Appeals who are elected to take office after the first Monday of January 2002, shall be elected from the Court of Appeals Districts described in subsection (5) of this section. The judges of the Court of Appeals shall begin service on the first Monday of January 1995.

(2)(a) In order to provide that the offices of not more than a majority of the judges of said court shall become vacant at any one (1) time, the terms of office of six (6) of the judges first to be elected shall expire in less than eight (8) years. For the purpose of all elections of members of the court, each of the ten (10) judges of the Court of Appeals shall be considered a separate office. The two (2) offices in each of the five (5) districts shall be designated Position Number 1 and Position Number 2, and in qualifying for office as a candidate for any office of judge of the Court of Appeals each candidate shall state the position number of the office to which he aspires and the election ballots shall so indicate.

(i) In Congressional District Number 1, the judge of the Court of Appeals for Position Number 1 shall be that office for which the term ends January 1, 1999, and the judge of the Court of Appeals for Position Number 2 shall be that office for which the term ends January 1, 2003.

(ii) In Congressional District Number 2, the judge of the Court of Appeals for Position Number 1 shall be that office for which the term ends on January 1, 2003, and the judge of the Court of Appeals for Position Number 2 shall be that office for which the term ends January 1, 2001.

(iii) In Congressional District Number 3, the judge of the Court of Appeals for Position Number 1 shall be that office for which the term ends on January 1, 2001, and the judge of the Court of Appeals for Position Number 2 shall be that office for which the term ends January 1, 1999.

(iv) In Congressional District Number 4, the judge of the Court of Appeals for Position Number 1 shall be that office for which the term ends on January 1, 1999, and the judge of the Court of Appeals for Position Number 2 shall be that office for which the term ends January 1, 2003.

(v) In Congressional District Number 5, the judge of the Court of Appeals for Position Number 1 shall be that office for which the term ends on January 1, 2003, and the judge of the Court of Appeals for Position Number 2 shall be that office for which the term ends January 1, 2001.

(b) The laws regulating the general elections shall apply to and govern the elections of judges of the Court of Appeals except as otherwise provided in Sections 23-15-974 through 23-15-985 .

(c) In the year prior to the expiration of the term of an incumbent, and likewise each eighth year thereafter, an election shall be held in the manner provided in this section in the district from which the incumbent Court of Appeals judge was elected at which there shall be elected a successor to the incumbent, whose term of office shall thereafter begin on the first Monday of January of the year in which the term of the incumbent he succeeds expires.

(3) No person shall be eligible for the office of judge of the Court of Appeals who has not attained the age of thirty (30) years at the time of his election and who has not been a practicing attorney and citizen of the state for five (5) years immediately preceding such election.

(4) Any vacancy on the Court of Appeals shall be filled by appointment of the Governor for that portion of the unexpired term prior to the election to fill the remainder of said term according to provisions of Section 23-15-849, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

(5)(a) The State of Mississippi is hereby divided into five (5) Court of Appeals Districts as follows:

FIRST DISTRICT. The First Court of Appeals District shall be composed of the following counties and portions of counties: Alcorn, Benton, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Choctaw, DeSoto, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Marshall, Monroe, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, Union, Webster and Yalobusha; in Grenada County the precincts of Providence, Mt. Nebo, Hardy and Pea Ridge; in Montgomery County the precincts of North Winona, Lodi, Stewart, Nations and Poplar Creek; in Panola County the precincts of East Sardis, South Curtis, Tocowa, Pope, Courtland, Cole's Point, North Springport, South Springport, Eureka, Williamson, East Batesville 4, West Batesville 4, Fern Hill, North Batesville A, East Batesville 5 and West Batesville 5; and in Tallahatchie County the precincts of Teasdale, Enid, Springhill, Charleston Beat 1, Charleston Beat 2, Charleston Beat 3, Paynes, Leverette, Cascilla, Murphreesboro and Rosebloom.

SECOND DISTRICT. The Second Court of Appeals District shall be composed of the following counties and portions of counties: Bolivar, Carroll, Claiborne, Coahoma, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Jefferson, Leflore, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower, Tunica, Warren, Washington and Yazoo; in Attala County the precincts of Northeast, Hesterville, Possomneck, North Central, McAdams, Newport, Sallis and Southwest; that portion of Grenada County not included in the First Court of Appeals District; in Hinds County Precincts 11, 12, 13, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 40, 41, 83, 84 and 85, and the precincts of Bolton, Brownsville, Cayuga, Chapel Hill, Cynthia, Edwards, Learned, Pine Haven, Pocahontas, St. Thomas, Tinnin, Utica 1 and Utica 2; in Leake County the precincts of Conway, West Carthage, Wiggins, Thomastown and Ofahoma; in Madison County the precincts of Farmhaven, Canton Precinct 2, Canton Precinct 3, Cameron Street, Canton Precinct 6, Bear Creek, Gluckstadt, Smith School, Magnolia Heights, Flora, Virlilia, Canton Precinct 5, Cameron, Couparle, Camden, Sharon, Canton Precinct 1 and Canton Precinct 4; that portion of Montgomery County not included in the First Court of Appeals District; that portion of Panola County not included in the First Court of Appeals District; and that portion of Tallahatchie County not included in the First Court of Appeals District.

THIRD DISTRICT. The Third Court of Appeals District shall be composed of the following counties and portions of counties: Clarke, Clay, Jasper, Kemper, Lauderdale, Lowndes, Neshoba, Newton, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Rankin, Scott, Smith and Winston; that portion of Attala County not included in the Second Court of Appeals District; in Jones County the precincts of Northwest High School, Shady Grove, Sharon, Erata, Glade, Myrick School, Northeast High School, Rustin, Sandersville Civic Center, Tuckers, Antioch and Landrum; that portion of Leake County not included in the Second Court of Appeals District; that portion of Madison County not included in the Second Court of Appeals District; and in Wayne County the precincts of Big Rock, Yellow Creek, Hiwannee, Diamond, Chaparral, Matherville, Coit and Eucutta.

FOURTH DISTRICT. The Fourth Court of Appeals District shall be composed of the following counties and portions of counties: Adams, Amite, Copiah, Covington, Franklin, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marion, Pike, Simpson, Walthall and Wilkinson; that portion of Hinds County not included in the Second Court of Appeals District; and that portion of Jones county not included in the Third Court of Appeals District.

FIFTH DISTRICT. The Fifth Court of Appeals District shall be composed of the following counties and portions of counties: Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Lamar, Pearl River, Perry and Stone; and that portion of Wayne County not included in the Third Court of Appeals District.

(b) The boundaries of the Court of Appeals Districts described in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall be the boundaries of the counties and precincts listed in paragraph (a) of this subsection as such boundaries existed on October 1, 1990.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-13 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 17 / Section 19-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-13
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in Section 25-3-36(7) , on recommendation of the commission on judicial performance, the Supreme Court may disqualify a judge from exercising any judicial function, without loss of salary, during pendency of proceedings before the commission or in the supreme court. If so disqualified, a special judge shall be appointed to perform his duties, as provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-151 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-151
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-151
Status: in_force

The minutes so kept of proceedings in vacation or in term time shall constitute a record of the office and shall be carefully preserved as such, free from erasure or alteration; and, at the first term thereafter of the court, in the case of minutes in vacation, or in the case of minutes in term time before the clerk at that term or the first term thereafter, shall be examined by the court and if approved, shall thereby become the minutes of the court, as if entered at a term thereof; and all the orders and decrees entered in said minutes in vacation, shall, by such approval of the court, become final and be as valid and effectual as if done by the court when they were done by the clerk.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-3-21 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 3-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-3-21
Status: in_force

The clerk shall keep a docket of criminal cases, on which he shall enter all criminal cases brought before the court in the order in which they may be sent up or certified; and he shall keep such other dockets as may be deemed proper by the court. Provided, however, that all cases brought before the court in which the defendant has been sentenced to suffer the death penalty shall be preference cases, and shall be set down for hearing and submission not later than sixty (60) days after the filing of the transcript of the record in the office of the clerk of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court, by order upon its minutes, for good cause shown and to prevent injustice, may extend the time for hearing or submission in any case in which the defendant has been sentenced to suffer the death penalty.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-10 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 11-10
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-10
Status: in_force

No justice of the peace court shall have jurisdiction over any civil suit attempted to be filed therein unless and until all legally required court costs, as set out, but not restricted to, Sections 25-7-25 and 25-7-27, Mississippi Code of 1972 , are deposited with the court. The justice of the peace shall not file, docket, issue process, or otherwise assume jurisdiction until such costs shall have been paid.

Any violation shall constitute a misdemeanor wherein the county court, or in the absence of a county court, the circuit court shall have jurisdiction. Upon conviction the justice of the peace shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00).
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-17 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 13 / Section 19-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-17
Status: in_force

A justice or judge removed by the supreme court or the seven-member tribunal is ineligible for judicial office, and pending further order of the court, may be suspended from practicing law in this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-19 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 27 / Section 27-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-19
Status: in_force

If the participant completes all requirements imposed by the mental health treatment court, the charge and prosecution shall be dismissed. If the defendant was sentenced at the time of entry of a plea of guilty, the successful completion of the mental health treatment court order and other requirements of probation or suspension of sentence will result in the record of the criminal conviction or adjudication being expunged. However, no expunction of any implied consent violations shall be allowed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-25 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 19-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-25
Status: in_force

The commission is authorized and empowered to receive and expend funds appropriated or granted for the purposes of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-7 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 13-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-7
Status: in_force

Copy of the writing by which the court reporter was appointed, and of the minutes relative to court reporter's oath shall, at the cost of the court reporter, be certified by the clerk of the court in which the entries thereof are made, to the clerk of the court in each of the several counties of the district for which the court reporter was appointed, to be entered on the minutes of the court in each county.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-13 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 12 / Section 23-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-13
Status: in_force

(1) An intervention court's alcohol and drug intervention component shall provide for eligible individuals, either directly or through referrals, a range of necessary court intervention services, including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) Screening using a valid and reliable assessment tool effective for identifying alcohol and drug dependent persons for eligibility and appropriate services;

(b) Clinical assessment; for a DUI offense, if the person has two (2) or more DUI convictions, the court shall order the person to undergo an assessment that uses a standardized evidence-based instrument performed by a physician to determine whether the person has a diagnosis for alcohol and/or drug dependence and would likely benefit from a court-approved medication-assisted treatment indicated and approved for the treatment of alcohol and/or drug dependence by the United States Food and Drug Administration, as specified in the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association. Upon considering the results of the assessment, the court may refer the person to a rehabilitative program that offers one or more forms of court-approved medications that are approved for the treatment of alcohol and/or drug dependence by the United States Food and Drug Administration;

(c) Education;

(d) Referral;

(e) Service coordination and case management; and

(f) Counseling and rehabilitative care.

(2) Any inpatient treatment or inpatient detoxification program ordered by the court shall be certified by the Department of Mental Health, other appropriate state agency or the equivalent agency of another state.

(3) All intervention courts shall make available the option for participants to use court-approved medication-assisted treatment while participating in the programs of the court in accordance with the recommendations of the National Drug Court Institute.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-129 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-129
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-129
Status: in_force

Within ten days after each term of circuit court, it shall be the duty of the clerk to deliver to the clerk of the board of supervisors a certified list of allowances made by the court at such term, payable out of the county treasury, specifying the amount, to whom allowed, and on what account. For any failure to deliver such list, the clerk of the circuit court may be punished by the court as for a contempt.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-53 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 5-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-53
Status: in_force

The Eighteenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:

(a) Benton County;

(b) Calhoun County;

(c) Lafayette County;

(d) Marshall County; and

(e) Tippah County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-89 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-89
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-89
Status: in_force

The circuit court shall hear and determine all motions against attorneys at law, sheriffs, coroners, and other officers, for money collected or received as such, and not paid over on demand to the party entitled to the same, and may give judgment and award execution thereon.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-13 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 12 / Section 27-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-13
Status: in_force

(1) With regard to any mental health treatment court, the Administrative Office of Courts shall do the following:

(a) Certify and re-certify mental health treatment court applications that meet with standards established by the Administrative Office of Courts in accordance with this chapter.

(b) Ensure that the structure of the mental health treatment court complies with rules adopted under this section and applicable federal regulations.

(c) Revoke certification of a mental health treatment court upon a determination that the program does not comply with rules adopted under this section and applicable federal regulations.

(d) Make agreements and contracts to effectuate the purposes of this chapter with:

(i) Another department, authority or agency of the state;

(ii) Another state;

(iii) The federal government;

(iv) A state-supported or private institute of higher learning; or

(v) A public or private agency, foundation, corporation or individual.

(e) Directly, or by contract, approve and certify any mental health treatment court component established under this chapter.

(f) Require, as a condition of operation, that each mental health treatment court created or funded under this chapter be certified by the Administrative Office of Courts.

(g) Collect monthly data from each certified mental health treatment court and compile an annual report summarizing the data collected and the outcomes achieved.

(h) Every three (3) years, if funding is available, contract with an external evaluator to conduct an evaluation of the compliance with the Bureau of Justice Assistance key components, as adapted for mental health treatment courts, and effectiveness of:

(i) Statewide mental health treatment court program; and

(ii) Individual mental health treatment courts.

(i) Adopt rules to implement this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-11 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 11 / Section 23-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-11
Status: in_force

(1) The Administrative Office of Courts shall establish, implement and operate a uniform certification process for all intervention courts and other problem-solving courts including juvenile courts, veterans courts or any other court designed to adjudicate criminal actions involving an identified classification of criminal defendant to ensure funding for intervention courts supports effective and proven practices that reduce recidivism and substance dependency among their participants.

(2) The Administrative Office of Courts shall establish a certification process that ensures any new or existing intervention court meets minimum standards for intervention court operation.

(a) These standards shall include, but are not limited to:

(i) The use of evidence-based practices including, but not limited to, the use of a valid and reliable risk and needs assessment tool to identify participants and deliver appropriate interventions;

(ii) Targeting medium to high-risk offenders for participation;

(iii) The use of current, evidence-based interventions proven to reduce dependency on drugs or alcohol, or both;

(iv) Frequent testing for alcohol or drugs;

(v) Coordinated strategy between all intervention court program personnel involving the use of graduated clinical interventions;

(vi) Ongoing judicial interaction with each participant; and

(vii) Monitoring and evaluation of intervention court program implementation and outcomes through data collection and reporting.

(b) Intervention court certification applications shall include:

(i) A description of the need for the intervention court;

(ii) The targeted population for the intervention court;

(iii) The eligibility criteria for intervention court participants;

(iv) A description of the process for identifying appropriate participants including the use of a risk and needs assessment and a clinical assessment;

(v) A description of the intervention court intervention components, including anticipated budget and implementation plan;

(vi) The data collection plan which shall include collecting the following data:

1. Total number of participants;

2. Total number of successful participants;

3. Total number of unsuccessful participants and the reason why each participant did not complete the program;

4. Total number of participants who were arrested for a new criminal offense while in the intervention court program;

5. Total number of participants who were convicted of a new felony or misdemeanor offense while in the intervention court program;

6. Total number of participants who committed at least one (1) violation while in the intervention court program and the resulting sanction(s);

7. Results of the initial risk and needs assessment or other clinical assessment conducted on each participant; and

8. Total number of applications for screening by race, gender, offenses charged, indigence and, if not accepted, the reason for nonacceptance; and

9. Any other data or information as required by the Administrative Office of Courts.

(c) Every intervention court shall be certified under the following schedule:

(i) An intervention court application submitted after July 1, 2014, shall require certification of the intervention court based on the proposed drug court plan.

(ii) An intervention court initially established and certified after July 1, 2014, shall be recertified after its second year of funded operation on a time frame consistent with the other certified courts of its type.

(iii) A certified adult felony intervention court in existence on December 31, 2018, must submit a recertification petition by July 1, 2019, and be recertified under the requirements of this section on or before December 31, 2019; after the recertification, all certified adult felony intervention courts must submit a recertification petition every two (2) years to the Administrative Office of Courts. The recertification process must be completed by December 31st of every odd calendar year.

(iv) A certified youth, family, misdemeanor or chancery intervention court in existence on December 31, 2018, must submit a recertification petition by July 31, 2020, and be recertified under the requirements of this section by December 31, 2020. After the recertification, all certified youth, family, misdemeanor and chancery intervention courts must submit a recertification petition every two (2) years to the Administrative Office of Courts. The recertification process must be completed by December 31st of every even calendar year.

(3) All certified intervention courts shall measure successful completion of the drug court based on those participants who complete the program without a new criminal conviction.

(4)(a) All certified drug courts must collect and submit to the Administrative Office of Courts each month, the following data:

(i) Total number of participants at the beginning of the month;

(ii) Total number of participants at the end of the month;

(iii) Total number of participants who began the program in the month;

(iv) Total number of participants who successfully completed the intervention court in the month;

(v) Total number of participants who left the program in the month;

(vi) Total number of participants who were arrested for a new criminal offense while in the intervention court program in the month;

(vii) Total number of participants who were convicted for a new criminal arrest while in the intervention court program in the month; and

(viii) Total number of participants who committed at least one (1) violation while in the intervention court program and any resulting sanction(s).

(b) By August 1, 2015, and each year thereafter, the Administrative Office of Courts shall report to the PEER Committee the information in subsection (4)(a) of this section in a sortable, electronic format.

(5) All certified intervention courts may individually establish rules and may make special orders and rules as necessary that do not conflict with the rules promulgated by the Supreme Court or the Administrative Office of Courts.

(6) A certified intervention court may appoint the full- or part-time employees it deems necessary for the work of the intervention court and shall fix the compensation of those employees. Such employees shall serve at the will and pleasure of the judge or the judge's designee.

(7) The Administrative Office of Courts shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the certification and re-certification process and make any other policies not inconsistent with this section to carry out this process.

(8) A certified intervention court established under this chapter is subject to the regulatory powers of the Administrative Office of Courts as set forth in Section 9-23-17 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-29 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 19-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-29
Status: in_force

All complaints filed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be absolutely privileged. The Commission on Judicial Performance, its members, executive director, commission counsel, master or fact finder, their assistants, staff and employees, and the members of any committee created under the authority of the Mississippi Code of Judicial Conduct shall be immune from civil suit for any conduct arising out of the performance of their official duties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-77 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 12 / Section 21-77
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-77
Status: in_force

(1) Prior to providing any service to a Limited English Proficient (LEP) individual, the interpreter shall subscribe to an oath that he or she shall interpret all communications in an accurate manner to the best of his or her skill and knowledge.

(2) The oath shall conform substantially to the following form:

INTERPRETER'S OATH

“Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will faithfully interpret from (state the language) into English and from English into (state the language) the proceedings before this court in an accurate manner to the best of your skill and knowledge?”

(3) Interpreters shall not voluntarily disclose any admission or communication that is declared to be confidential or privileged under state law. Out-of-court disclosures made by a Limited English Proficient (LEP) individual communicating through an interpreter shall be treated by the interpreter as confidential or privileged or both unless the court orders the interpreter to disclose such communications or the Limited English Proficient (LEP) individual waives such confidentiality or privilege.

(4) Interpreters shall not publicly discuss, report or offer an opinion concerning a matter in which they are engaged, even when that information is not privileged or required by law to be confidential.

(5) The presence of an interpreter shall not affect the privileged nature of any discussion.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-7 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-7
Status: in_force

(1) There shall be four (4) judges for the First Circuit Court District.

(2) The four (4) judgeships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as “Place One,” “Place Two,” “Place Three” and “Place Four.” The judge to fill Place One must reside in Alcorn, Prentiss or Tishomingo County. The judges to fill Place Two and Place Three must reside in Itawamba, Lee, Monroe or Pontotoc County. The judge to fill Place Four may be a resident of any county in the district. Election of the four (4) offices of judge shall be by election to be held in every county within the First Circuit Court District.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-4-9 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 4-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-4-9
Status: in_force

The Supreme Court shall prescribe rules for the submission of cases to panels of the court and to the court en banc, as well as all other rules of procedure for the Court of Appeals. The Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, insofar as practicable, shall assign judges to panels in such a manner that each judge shall sit a substantially equal number of times with each other judge. The Chief Judge shall preside over any panel on which he or she shall sit, and the Chief Judge shall appoint one or more judges to preside, at the will and pleasure of the Chief Judge, over any panel on which the Chief Judge is not a member of a panel.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-179 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 7-179
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-179
Status: in_force

The clerk shall keep a subpoena docket, in which he shall enter the style and number of each case in which a subpoena for a witness is issued, the name of the party for whom the witness is subpoenaed, to whom the subpoena is directed, the date of its issuance, when returnable, whether or not executed. He shall therein keep an account of all witnesses who may be absent when the case in which they have been subpoenaed is called for trial, or who may disqualify themselves from giving testimony by being intoxicated when such case is tried; and he shall not issue any certificate to such witnesses. The docket shall be kept duly indexed. Such docket may be kept on computer as provided in Section 9-7-171 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-115 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 13-115
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-115
Status: in_force

(1) Free-lance reporters shall make application for certification in the manner prescribed in Section 9-13-105 . Without satisfying the requirements of this chapter, no free-lance reporter shall make a verbatim record of any testimony of a proceeding, jurisdiction of which is within the courts of Mississippi or where appeal to any court of the State of Mississippi is allowable by law.

(2) Any court reporter not a resident of Mississippi wishing to make a verbatim record or transcript of testimony to be used in a legal proceeding within the State of Mississippi may do so upon obtaining temporary permission from the board or the judge of any court of record, such permission not to be valid for more than thirty (30) days unless special conditions are established therein by the board or judge from whom the temporary permission was obtained.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-18.5 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / Section 9-18.5
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-18.5
Status: in_force

(1) In order to relieve the crowded condition of the docket in the county court and in the youth court of DeSoto County and particularly to facilitate and make possible the trial and disposition of the large number of causes on the docket and in the youth court, there shall be two (2) county judges for DeSoto County, provided for and elected as herein set out.

(2) For the purposes of nomination and election, the two (2) judgeships shall be separate and distinct, the first existing judgeship and its succession to be denominated for purposes of appointment, nomination and election only as “Place One” and the judgeship hereby created and its succession for said selfsame purposes and none other to be designated as “Place Two.” There shall be no distinction whatsoever in the powers, duties and emoluments of the two (2) offices of county judge, except that the county judge of DeSoto County who has been for the longest time continuously a county judge of the county shall have the right to assign causes, terms and dockets. Should neither judge of the county court have served longer in office than the other, then that judge who has been for the longest time a member of The Mississippi Bar shall have the right to assign causes, terms and dockets.

(3) While there shall be no limitation whatsoever upon the powers and duties of the county judges other than as cast upon them by the Constitution and laws of this state, the county court of DeSoto County may, in the discretion of the county judge who has been for the longest time continuously a judge of the court, be divided into civil, equity, criminal and youth court divisions as a matter of convenience by the entry of an order upon the minutes of the court.

(4) The initial holder of the additional judgeship created by this section, or “Place Two,” shall be elected in the regular election of November 2008; candidates therefor shall qualify to run not later than forty-five (45) days before that election. The term of office of the person elected shall begin on the first day of January following the November election and shall end at the same time as for county judges generally. The two (2) judges shall otherwise be elected, and any vacancy in office filled, as provided for county judges generally.

(5) The Board of Supervisors of DeSoto County may, in its discretion, set aside, appropriate and expend monies from the general fund to be used in the payment of salaries of judges, clerks, reporters, officers and employees of the youth court division of the county court, including the related facilities of the youth court division of the county court, and such funds shall be expended for no other purposes. The county shall not be reimbursed for the amount of any such levy provided for by this section under the terms of the Homestead Exemption Law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-19 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 21 / Section 27-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-19
Status: in_force

If the participant completes all requirements imposed by the mental health treatment court, the charge and prosecution shall be dismissed. If the defendant was sentenced at the time of entry of a plea of guilty, the successful completion of the mental health treatment court order and other requirements of probation or suspension of sentence will result in the record of the criminal conviction or adjudication being expunged. However, no expunction of any implied consent violations shall be allowed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-5 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 11-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-5
Status: in_force

(1) The justice court judges shall be provided courtrooms by the county and all trials shall be held therein. Such courtrooms shall be in the county courthouse, county office building or any other building within the county deemed appropriate by the board of supervisors.

(2) The county shall provide office space and furnish each justice court office and provide necessary office supplies.

(3) The board of supervisors of each county may secure insurance coverage to protect the office of the justice court clerk against losses due to theft or robbery.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 13 / Section 21-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Administrative Office of Courts shall be specifically charged with the duty of assisting the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Mississippi with his duties as the chief administrative officer of all courts of this state, including without limitation the task of insuring that the business of the courts of the state is attended with proper dispatch, that the dockets of such courts are not permitted to become congested and that trials and appeals of cases, civil and criminal, are not delayed unreasonably.

(2) The office shall also perform the following duties:

(a) To work with the clerks of all youth courts and civil and criminal trial courts in the state to collect, obtain, compile, digest and publish information and statistics concerning the administration of justice in the state.

(b) To serve as an agency to apply for and receive any grants or other assistance and to coordinate and conduct studies and projects to improve the administration of justice by the courts of the state, and it may conduct such studies with or without the assistance of consultants.

(c) To supply such support to the Judicial Advisory Study Committee necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter, including without limitation, research and clerical assistance.

(d) To promulgate standards, rules and regulations for computer and/or electronic filing and storage of all court records and court-related records maintained throughout the state in courts and in offices of circuit and chancery clerks.

(e) It shall perform such other duties relating to the improvement of the administration of justice as may be assigned by the Supreme Court of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-5 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 13-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-5
Status: in_force

The court reporter when appointed and qualified by taking the oath required, and by filing the bond hereinafter mentioned, thereby becomes an officer of the court, and shall hold his office as court reporter for the term of four years from the date of his appointment unless sooner removed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-7 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 12 / Section 19-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-7
Status: in_force

The commission may appoint and remove an executive director and such administrative staff as may be required. This staff shall report each charge filed to the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-23 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 13-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-23
Status: in_force

The board of supervisors of each county shall provide the court reporter with all necessary stationery used by him in the performance of his official duties in the county.