Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-13 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 11 / 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. § 9-7-14 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 9-7-29 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-29
Status: in_force

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

(a) Issaquena County;

(b) Sharkey County; and

(c) Warren County.

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

(a) Subdistrict 9-1 shall consist of Issaquena County, Sharkey County and the following precincts in Warren County: 3-61 Store*, American Legion Hall, Auditorium, Brunswick, Cedar Grove*, Kings*, Number 7 Fire Station*, St. Aloysius and Vicksburg Junior High School*.

(b) Subdistrict 9-2 shall consist of the following precincts in Warren County: 3-61 Store*, Beechwood, Bovina, Cedar Grove*, Culkin, Elks Lodge, Goodrum, Jett, Kings*, Moose Lodge, Number 7 Fire Station*, Oak Ridge, Plumbers Hall, Redwood, Tingleville, Vicksburg Junior High School*, YMCA and Yokena.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-17-2 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 12 / 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. § 9-5-31 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 5-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-31
Status: in_force

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

(a) Humphreys County;

(b) Issaquena County;

(c) Sharkey County;

(d) Sunflower County;

(e) Warren County; and

(f) Washington County.

(2) The Ninth Chancery Court District shall be divided into three (3) subdistricts as follows:

(a) Subdistrict 9-1 shall consist of the following precincts in the following counties:

(i) Sunflower County: Boyer-Linn, Drew, Fairview-Hale, Indianola 2 East*, Indianola 3 North*, Indianola 3 Northeast*, Indianola 3 South*, Rome, Ruleville, Ruleville North and Sunflower Plantation; and

(ii) Washington County: American Legion, Brent Center, Buster Brown Community Center, Darlove Baptist Church*, Elks Club, Extension Building, Grace Methodist Church*, Greenville Industrial College, Leland Health Department Clinic, Leland Rotary Club, Metcalf City Hall and Potter House Church.

(b) Subdistrict 9-2 shall consist of Humphreys County and the following precincts in the following counties:

(i) Sunflower County: Doddsville, Indianola 2 East*, Indianola 2 West, Indianola 3 North*, Indianola 3 Northeast*, Indianola 3 South*, Indianola Southeast, Inverness, Moorhead, Sunflower 3 and Sunflower 4; and

(ii) Washington County: Arcola City Hall, Christ Wesleyan Methodist Church, Darlove Baptist Church*, Glen Allan Health Clinic, Grace Methodist Church*, Hollandale City Hall, St. James Episcopal Church, Swiftwater Baptist Church, Tampa Drive and Ward's Recreation Center.

(c) Subdistrict 9-3 shall consist of Issaquena County, Sharkey County and Warren County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-1 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 11 / Section 21-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-1
Status: in_force

The Administrative Office of Courts is hereby created. The purpose of the Administrative Office of Courts shall be to assist in the efficient administration of the nonjudicial business of the courts of the state and in improving the administration of justice in Mississippi by performing the duties and exercising the powers as provided in this chapter.

As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term “court” means any tribunal recognized as a part of the judicial branch of government, but not including county boards of supervisors.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-9 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 21 / Section 27-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-9
Status: in_force

(1) Any mental and behavioral health treatment provider directly administering services to a participant shall be licensed by the appropriate state licensing board or hold a current and valid certification by the State Department of Mental Health or other appropriate state agency.

(2) A mental health treatment court shall provide either directly or through referrals, a range of services, including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) Screenings using a valid and reliable screening tool effective for identifying individuals with mental and behavioral health issues for eligibility and appropriate services;

(b) Clinical assessment;

(c) Referral to appropriate level of treatment services;

(d) Counseling and treatment for co-occurring substance use disorders;

(e) Employment Services;

(f) Education and/or vocational services; and

(g) Community service coordination, care and support.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-36 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-36
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-36
Status: in_force

(1) There shall be four (4) chancellors for the Tenth Chancery Court District.

(2) The four (4) chancellorships 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 chancellor to fill Place One and Place Four may be a resident of any county in the district. The chancellor to fill Place Two must be a resident of Lamar, Marion, Pearl River or Perry County. The chancellor to fill Place Three must be a resident of Forrest County. Election of the four (4) offices of chancellor shall be by election to be held in every county within the Tenth Chancery Court District.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-19 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 21-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-19
Status: in_force

All judges, clerks of court, and other officers or employees of the courts and of offices related to and serving the courts shall comply with all requests made by the Administrative Director for information and statistical data relative to the work of the courts and of such offices and relative to the expenditure of public monies for their maintenance and operation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-36 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 9-36
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-36
Status: in_force

In any county in cases where an overcrowded docket justifies the same, any chancellor may assign to a county judge in that county only, for hearing and final disposition, any case, cause, hearing or motion, or any proceedings involved in the trial and final disposition thereof.

All orders in the cause, trial or hearing may be signed as follows: “__________ County Judge and Acting Chancellor by assignment.” No special order evidencing the assignment shall be entered on the minutes.

No compensation for those services shall be allowed the county judge, neither shall the county judge be compelled to accept any assignment except at his will. Furthermore, no assignment of any cause or hearing shall be made where counsel on both sides object to the assignment.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-151 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 9-13-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 13-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-3
Status: in_force

Before entering into his office, the court reporter shall take, in open court, an oath that he will faithfully discharge the duties thereof; and the oath so taken shall be entered in the minutes of the court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-1 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / 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. § 9-27-5 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 12 / Section 27-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-5
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) “ Behavioral health ” means the promotion of mental health, resilience and wellbeing; the treatment of mental and substance use disorders; and the support of those who experience and/or are in recovery from these conditions, along with their families and communities.

(b) “ Chemical tests ” means the analysis of an individual's: (i) blood, (ii) breath, (iii) hair, (iv) sweat, (v) saliva, (vi) urine, or (vii) other bodily substance to determine the presence of alcohol or a controlled substance.

(c) “ Clinical assessment ” means the use of an actuarial assessment tool which evaluates an individual's physical, medical, cognitive, psychological (personality, emotions, beliefs and attitudes), and behavioral history and current conditions in order to determine the presence and severity of any mental health disorder.

(d) “ Co-Occurring disorder ” means coexistence of both a mental health and a substance use disorder as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM).

(e) “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)” is the publication by the American Psychiatric Association used by behavioral health professionals for the classification and diagnosing of mental health disorders.

(f) “ Evidence-based practices ” means practices which have been empirically researched and proven to have measurable positive outcomes; have been rigorously tested; have yielded consistent, replicable results; and have proven safe, beneficial and effective for a specific population.

(g) “ Mental health ” means a state of mental or emotional well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn, work well, and contribute to their community.

(h) “ Mental health disorder ” means a syndrome characterized by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual's cognition, emotion regulation or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological or developmental process underlying mental functioning as defined by the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as published by the American Psychiatric Association.

(i) “ Mental Health Treatment program ” means a highly structured evidence-based program for mental and behavioral health treatment of defendants that:

(i) Brings together mental health professionals, local social programs and intensive judicial monitoring;

(ii) Follows the key components of the mental health treatment court curriculum published by the Bureau of Justice Assistance; and

(iii) Utilizes supervision, policies, procedures and practices that scientific research demonstrates reduces recidivism.

(j) “ Risk and needs assessment ” means an actuarial evaluation tool to guide decision making at various points across the criminal justice continuum by approximating an individual's likelihood of reoffending and determining what individual criminogenic needs must be addressed to reduce that likelihood. Criminogenic risk and needs assessment tools consist of questions that are designed to ascertain someone's history of criminal behavior, attitudes and personality, and life circumstances.

(k) “ Risk and needs screening ” means the use of a brief actuarial tool that is used to determine a defendant's eligibility of a mental health treatment court by measuring the criminogenic risk and needs, identifying risk and protective factors, supports development of case management plan goals and determines the need of a full risk and needs assessment.

(l) “ Substance use disorder ” means a cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues using the substance despite significant substance-related problems such as impaired control, social impairment, risky behaviors, and pharmacological tolerance and withdrawal.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-143 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-143
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-143
Status: in_force

The Hinds County Circuit Clerk shall enter the names or identifying numbers of all qualified electors in Hinds County when selecting a jury for any hearing, trial or cause of action that comes before any of the four (4) temporary special circuit judges authorized by Section 9-7-26 for the Seventh Circuit Court District.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-181 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 9-13-123 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / 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. § 9-9-27 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / Section 9-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-27
Status: in_force

In any civil case instituted in the circuit court, wherein all parties file a motion to transfer said case to the county court for trial, or wherein all parties file an instrument of writing consenting to such a transfer, the circuit court may, in its discretion, transfer the case to the county court for trial; and the said county court shall have full jurisdiction of and shall proceed to try any case so transferred, provided, however, that such order of transfer be rendered prior to the empaneling of the jury in such cases.

In misdemeanor cases and in felony cases not capital, wherein indictments have been returned by the grand jury, the circuit court may transfer with full jurisdiction all or any of the same, in its discretion, to the county court for trial; and the said county court shall have jurisdiction of and shall proceed to try all charges of misdemeanor which may be preferred by the district attorney or by the county prosecuting attorney or by the sheriff on affidavit sworn to before the circuit clerk of the county; and prosecutions by affidavit are hereby authorized in misdemeanor cases under the same procedure as if indictments had been returned in the circuit court and same had been transferred to the county court.

And, provided further, any reputable citizen may make an affidavit charging crime before the judge of the county court, and such affidavit shall be filed with the clerk of the county court, and if the crime charged is a misdemeanor, the county court shall have jurisdiction to try and dispose of said charge and, if the crime charged be a felony, the county judge shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine said cause, the same as now provided by law to be done by justices of the peace, and to commit the person so charged, with or without bail as the evidence may warrant, or to discharge the defendant.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-1 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 9-27-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 21 / Section 27-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature recognizes the critical need for judicial intervention to establish court processes and procedures that are more responsive to the needs of defendants with mental illnesses, while maintaining public safety and the integrity of the court process.

(2) The goals of the mental health treatment courts under this chapter include the following:

(a) Reduce the number of future criminal justice contacts among offenders with mental illnesses;

(b) Reduce the inappropriate institutionalization of people with mental illnesses;

(c) Improve the mental and behavioral health and well-being of defendants who come in contact with the criminal justice system;

(d) Improve linkages between the criminal justice system and the mental health system;

(e) Expedite case processing;

(f) Protect public safety;

(g) Establish linkages with other state and local agencies and programs that target people with mental illnesses in order to maximize the delivery of services; and

(h) To use corrections resources more effectively by redirecting prison-bound offenders whose criminal conduct is driven in part by mental illnesses to intensive supervision and clinical treatment available in the mental health treatment court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-81 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 11 / Section 21-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-81
Status: in_force

(1) Any volunteer interpreter providing services under Sections 9-21-71 through 9-21-81 shall be paid reasonable expenses by the court.

(2) The expenses of providing an interpreter in any court proceeding or instance arising out of litigation must be payable out of the county or municipal treasury at no cost to the litigant.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-29 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 9-21-9 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 9-5-29 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-29
Status: in_force

(1) There shall be four (4) chancellors for the Eighth Chancery Court District.

(2) The four (4) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as “Place One,” “Place Two,” “Place Three” and “Place Four.”

(3) While there shall be no limitation whatsoever upon the powers and duties of the chancellors other than as cast upon them by the Constitution and laws of this state, the court in the Eighth Chancery Court District, in the discretion of the senior chancellor, may be divided into four (4) divisions as a matter of convenience by the entry of an order upon the minutes of the court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-16 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 9-16
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-16
Status: in_force

(1) In order to relieve the crowded condition of the docket in the county court of Washington County and particularly to facilitate and make possible the trial and disposition of the large number of causes on said docket, it is enacted that from and after January 1, 1976, in the manner provided herein, there shall be two (2) county judges for Washington County, Mississippi, 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 Washington 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. Should neither judge of said county court have served longer in said office than the other, then that judge of this county court who has been for the longest time a member of the Mississippi State 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 Washington 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, youth and criminal divisions as a matter of convenience, by the entry of an order upon the minutes of the court.

(4) 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.

(5) The additional judgeship created by this section shall remain vacant unless prior to May 10, 1975, the board of supervisors of Washington County, Mississippi, shall adopt an order duly entered upon the minutes of said board stating that sufficient county funds are available for the compensation and related expenses of the additional judgeship created herein.

(6) If the order of the board of supervisors as required under subsection (5) of this section shall have been duly adopted and entered upon the minutes of said board prior to May 10, 1975, then the additional judgeship herein created shall be filled by a person elected in the regular primary and general elections to be held in 1975, and the person so elected shall hold office from January 1, 1976, for the remainder of the regular term for county judges. All candidates for such office shall possess all of the qualifications of a circuit judge as prescribed by the state constitution and shall qualify for election in the same manner and be governed by the same statutes as other candidates for county office. After the first election to fill the judgeship created herein, the provisions of Section 9-9-5, Mississippi Code of 1972 , shall apply to the judgeship created herein.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-19 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / 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. § 9-11-35 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / 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. § 9-17-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / 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. § 9-19-13 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 11 / 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. § 9-5-38 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 5-38
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-38
Status: in_force

There shall be three (3) chancellors for the Eleventh Chancery Court District. The three (3) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct. One (1) chancellor shall be elected from Subdistrict 11-1 and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as “Place One,” one (1) chancellor shall be elected from Subdistrict 11-2 and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as “Place Two,” and one (1) chancellor shall be elected at large from the entire Eleventh Chancery Court District and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as “Place Three.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-23 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 9-23-13 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 19 / 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. § 9-7-37 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-37
Status: in_force

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

(a) Covington County;

(b) Jasper County;

(c) Simpson County; and

(d) Smith County.

(2) There shall be two (2) judges for the Thirteenth Circuit Court District. 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. § 9-13-109 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 9-13-109 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / 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. § 9-1-9 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 1-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-1-9
Status: in_force

If the circuit judge or chancellor fail to attend at any term of the court, it shall stand adjourned from day to day until the third day, when, if the judge or chancellor shall not appear and open court, it shall stand adjourned without day; but, by virtue of a written order by the judge or chancellor, it may be adjourned by the clerk or sheriff to any day of the term, as the order may direct, and parties, witnesses and jurors must attend accordingly.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 19-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-3
Status: in_force

The terms of office of the commission members shall be for six (6) years, except that the initial terms of office shall be as follows: the circuit court judge member for six (6) years, the chancellor member for five (5) years, the county court judge member for five (5) years, the justice court judge member for four (4) years, one (1) of the lay members for three (3) years, the other lay member for two (2) years, and the attorney member for one (1) year. Members shall not be allowed to succeed themselves after serving a full term. Commission membership terminates if a member ceases to hold the position that qualified the member for appointment. A vacancy shall be filled by the appointing power for the remainder of the term.

No member of the commission, except a justice or judge, shall be eligible for state judicial office so long as he is a member of the commission and for a period of two (2) years thereafter. No member of the commission shall hold office in a political party or participate in any campaign for judicial office and hold public office; provided that a judge may participate in his own campaign for judicial office and hold that office. The commission shall elect one (1) of its members as its chairman.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-1-53 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 1-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-1-53
Status: in_force

Courts and county offices are hereby authorized but not required to institute procedures for the electronic filing and electronic storage of court documents to further the efficient administration and operation of the courts. Electronically filed or stored documents may be kept in lieu of any paper documents. Courts governed by rules promulgated by the Mississippi Supreme Court that institute electronic filing and electronic storage of court documents and offices of circuit and chancery clerks that institute electronic filing and electronic storage of court documents shall do so in conformity with such rules and regulations prescribed by the Administrative Office of Courts and adopted by the Mississippi Supreme Court concerning court records or court-related records. The provisions of Sections 9-1-51 through 9-1-57 shall not be construed to amend or repeal any other provision of existing state law which requires or provides for the maintenance of official written documents, records, dockets, books, ledgers or proceedings by a court or clerk of court in those courts which do not elect to exercise the discretion granted by this section. It is hereby declared to be the intent of the Legislature that official written documents, records, dockets, books, ledgers or proceedings may be filed, stored, maintained, reproduced and recorded in the manner authorized by Sections 9-1-51 through 9-1-57 or as otherwise provided by law, in the discretion of the clerk.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-11 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 19-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-11
Status: in_force

The commission on judicial performance may privately admonish a justice or judge found to have been engaged in improper action or a dereliction of duty affecting the administration of justice; subject to review in the supreme court; provided, however, that all appeals from private admonishments shall remain confidential.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-7 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 21-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-7
Status: in_force

The Administrative Director, with the approval of the Supreme Court, is authorized to employ and set the compensation of such assistants and other employees as are necessary to enable him to perform his duties, subject to approval of the State Personnel Board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-23 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-23
Status: in_force

(1) The Seventh Circuit Court District shall be Hinds County.

(2) The Seventh Circuit Court District shall be divided into four (4) subdistricts in Hinds County as follows:

(a) Subdistrict 7-1 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 7-2 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 7-3 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 7-4 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. § 9-21-1 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 21 / Section 21-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-1
Status: in_force

The Administrative Office of Courts is hereby created. The purpose of the Administrative Office of Courts shall be to assist in the efficient administration of the nonjudicial business of the courts of the state and in improving the administration of justice in Mississippi by performing the duties and exercising the powers as provided in this chapter.

As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term “court” means any tribunal recognized as a part of the judicial branch of government, but not including county boards of supervisors.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-13 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 9-5-1 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 5-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-1
Status: in_force

A chancellor shall be elected for and from each of the chancery court districts as provided in this chapter and the listing of individual precincts shall be those precincts as they existed on October 1, 1990. He shall hold court in any other district with the consent of the chancellor thereof when in their opinion the public interest may be thereby promoted. The terms of all chancellors elected at the regular election for the year 1930 shall begin on the first day of January, 1931, and their terms of office shall continue for four (4) years. A chancellor shall be a resident of the district in which he serves but shall not be required to be a resident of a subdistrict if the district is divided into subdistricts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-79 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 19 / Section 21-79
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-79
Status: in_force

(1) An interpreter is needed and a court interpreter shall be appointed when the judge determines, after an examination of a party or witness, that: (a) the party cannot understand and speak English well enough to participate fully in the proceedings and to assist counsel; or (b) the witness cannot speak English so as to be understood directly by counsel, court and jury.

(2) The court should examine a party or witness on the record to determine whether an interpreter is needed if:

(a) A party or counsel requests such an examination;

(b) It appears to the court that the party or witness may not understand and speak English well enough to participate fully in the proceedings; or

(c) The party or witness requests an interpreter. 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.

(3) After the examination, the court should state its conclusion on the record, and the file in the case shall be clearly marked and data entered electronically when appropriate by court personnel to ensure that an interpreter will be present when needed in any subsequent instance arising out of the litigation.

(4) Upon a request by the Limited English Proficient (LEP) individual, by counsel, or by any other officer of the court, the court shall determine whether the interpreter provided is able to communicate accurately with and translate information to and from the Limited English Proficient (LEP) individual. If it is determined that the interpreter cannot perform these functions, the court shall provide the Limited English Proficient (LEP) individual with another interpreter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-29 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 9-3-7 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 3-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-3-7
Status: in_force

The cost of publishing the notices by order of the judges shall be paid out of the appropriation for the judicial department, and the auditor shall issue a warrant therefor on the order of the supreme court allowing the account for making the publication.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / 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. § 9-19-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 11 / Section 19-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-3
Status: in_force

The terms of office of the commission members shall be for six (6) years, except that the initial terms of office shall be as follows: the circuit court judge member for six (6) years, the chancellor member for five (5) years, the county court judge member for five (5) years, the justice court judge member for four (4) years, one (1) of the lay members for three (3) years, the other lay member for two (2) years, and the attorney member for one (1) year. Members shall not be allowed to succeed themselves after serving a full term. Commission membership terminates if a member ceases to hold the position that qualified the member for appointment. A vacancy shall be filled by the appointing power for the remainder of the term.

No member of the commission, except a justice or judge, shall be eligible for state judicial office so long as he is a member of the commission and for a period of two (2) years thereafter. No member of the commission shall hold office in a political party or participate in any campaign for judicial office and hold public office; provided that a judge may participate in his own campaign for judicial office and hold that office. The commission shall elect one (1) of its members as its chairman.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-7 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / 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. § 9-5-17 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 9-3-31 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 3-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-3-31
Status: in_force

The Supreme Court may at any time require the sheriff of Hinds county, with a competent number of deputies, to attend and perform all lawful orders of the court; and, for any failure in this, after notice of the requirement by the court, the sheriff may be punished by the court for a contempt; and for attending the court he shall be allowed two dollars a day for each person so attending, to be paid as the marshal and porter are paid. And at all times, when proper, the court shall dispense with the services of a marshal and require the said sheriff to perform all its duties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-121 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 12 / Section 13-121
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-121
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (1), any person graduating from a court reporting school approved by the State of Mississippi or some other state shall be given a temporary certification but shall make application for and pass a Certified Shorthand Reporter's (CSR) examination as is provided in this section.

(b) Any person who is enrolled in a court reporting program or court reporting school, whether in Mississippi or out-of-state, that is accredited by the National Court Reporting Association, and who graduates prior to November 1, 2008, shall be granted certification without examination.

(2)(a) The Board of Court Reporters shall implement a true CSR examination wherein all examinees are given the option to take any part or parts of the examination independent of the other parts; however, each part, once passed, need not be retaken by that examinee. Any applicant granted a temporary certification or permit shall be allowed not less than thirty-six (36) months after being granted the temporary certification or permit to pass the examination.

(b)(i) Examinations for certification shall be given not less than every six (6) months at a time and place designated by the board. Notification of such examinations shall be given each applicant in writing not less than thirty (30) days before each examination date. Proof of notice of an examination having been sent less than thirty (30) days before an examination date shall automatically extend a temporary certificate for an additional six (6) months beyond what is otherwise provided in this section.

(ii) If an applicant holding temporary certification has not qualified for certification within the required time, the applicant shall be permitted a hearing before the board. If said applicant has passed at least two (2) parts of the examination, the applicant will be given an additional extension of not more than one (1) year.

(iii) If a court reporter is unavailable, the use of audio or video equipment shall be authorized.

(3) Those reporters holding temporary certificates must submit their applications, together with the fee, to the board and take the next scheduled examination. If the applicant holding temporary certification has not qualified for certification within the required time, the applicant shall be deemed unqualified to serve as a reporter until the applicant passes the examination and receives permanent certification or has been granted an extension according to subsection (2).

(4) Photo identification may be required of any applicant prior to the taking of an examination for security reasons only but shall not be used for discrimination against applicants on the basis of race, gender, age, creed or national origin.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-63 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 9-7-54 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-54
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-54
Status: in_force

(1) There shall be three (3) judges for the Twentieth 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.” The judge to fill Place One must reside in Rankin County, the judge to fill Place Two must reside in Madison County, and the judge to fill Place Three may reside in either Madison or Rankin County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-43 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / 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. § 9-21-43 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / 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. § 9-23-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 23-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature of Mississippi recognizes the critical need for judicial intervention to reduce the incidence of alcohol and drug use, alcohol and drug addiction, and crimes committed as a result of alcohol and drug use and alcohol and drug addiction. It is the intent of the Legislature to facilitate local intervention court alternative orders adaptable to chancery, circuit, county, youth, municipal and justice courts.

(2) The goals of the intervention courts under this chapter include the following:

(a) To reduce alcoholism and other drug dependencies among adult and juvenile offenders and defendants and among respondents in juvenile petitions for abuse, neglect or both;

(b) To reduce criminal and delinquent recidivism and the incidence of child abuse and neglect;

(c) To reduce the alcohol-related and other drug-related court workload;

(d) To increase personal, familial and societal accountability of adult and juvenile offenders and defendants and respondents in juvenile petitions for abuse, neglect or both;

(e) To promote effective interaction and use of resources among criminal and juvenile justice personnel, child protective services personnel and community agencies; and

(f) To use corrections resources more effectively by redirecting prison-bound offenders whose criminal conduct is driven in part by drug and alcohol dependence to intensive supervision and clinical treatment available in the intervention court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-47 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-47
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-47
Status: in_force

The Eighteenth Circuit Court District shall be Jones County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 9-23-51 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 23 / Section 23-51
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-51
Status: in_force

There is created in the State Treasury a special interest-bearing fund to be known as the Drug Court Fund. The purpose of the fund shall be to provide supplemental funding to all drug courts in the state. Monies from the funds derived from assessments under Section 99-19-73 shall be distributed by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Administrative Office of Courts, pursuant to procedures set by the State Drug Courts Advisory Committee to assist both juvenile drug courts and adult drug courts. Funds from other sources shall be distributed to the drug courts in the state based on a formula set by the State Drug Courts Advisory Committee. 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 purposes of funding drug courts; (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. § 9-27-5 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 27-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-5
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) “ Behavioral health ” means the promotion of mental health, resilience and wellbeing; the treatment of mental and substance use disorders; and the support of those who experience and/or are in recovery from these conditions, along with their families and communities.

(b) “ Chemical tests ” means the analysis of an individual's: (i) blood, (ii) breath, (iii) hair, (iv) sweat, (v) saliva, (vi) urine, or (vii) other bodily substance to determine the presence of alcohol or a controlled substance.

(c) “ Clinical assessment ” means the use of an actuarial assessment tool which evaluates an individual's physical, medical, cognitive, psychological (personality, emotions, beliefs and attitudes), and behavioral history and current conditions in order to determine the presence and severity of any mental health disorder.

(d) “ Co-Occurring disorder ” means coexistence of both a mental health and a substance use disorder as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM).

(e) “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)” is the publication by the American Psychiatric Association used by behavioral health professionals for the classification and diagnosing of mental health disorders.

(f) “ Evidence-based practices ” means practices which have been empirically researched and proven to have measurable positive outcomes; have been rigorously tested; have yielded consistent, replicable results; and have proven safe, beneficial and effective for a specific population.

(g) “ Mental health ” means a state of mental or emotional well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn, work well, and contribute to their community.

(h) “ Mental health disorder ” means a syndrome characterized by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual's cognition, emotion regulation or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological or developmental process underlying mental functioning as defined by the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as published by the American Psychiatric Association.

(i) “ Mental Health Treatment program ” means a highly structured evidence-based program for mental and behavioral health treatment of defendants that:

(i) Brings together mental health professionals, local social programs and intensive judicial monitoring;

(ii) Follows the key components of the mental health treatment court curriculum published by the Bureau of Justice Assistance; and

(iii) Utilizes supervision, policies, procedures and practices that scientific research demonstrates reduces recidivism.

(j) “ Risk and needs assessment ” means an actuarial evaluation tool to guide decision making at various points across the criminal justice continuum by approximating an individual's likelihood of reoffending and determining what individual criminogenic needs must be addressed to reduce that likelihood. Criminogenic risk and needs assessment tools consist of questions that are designed to ascertain someone's history of criminal behavior, attitudes and personality, and life circumstances.

(k) “ Risk and needs screening ” means the use of a brief actuarial tool that is used to determine a defendant's eligibility of a mental health treatment court by measuring the criminogenic risk and needs, identifying risk and protective factors, supports development of case management plan goals and determines the need of a full risk and needs assessment.

(l) “ Substance use disorder ” means a cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues using the substance despite significant substance-related problems such as impaired control, social impairment, risky behaviors, and pharmacological tolerance and withdrawal.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-11 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / Section 11-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-11
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the justice court to keep a uniform case record developed by the Attorney General on each case, civil and criminal, brought before it. Upon disposition, each record shall be signed by the justice court judge. It shall be the duty of a justice court, when required, to furnish to either party a certified copy of all proceedings, and of all papers and process relating thereto, in any action before it. Closed civil and criminal files may be destroyed after seven and one-half (7 1 / 2 ) years with written approval from the Director of the Department of Archives and History.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-115 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 9-19-21 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 12 / Section 19-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-21
Status: in_force

(1) The commission shall be entitled to compel by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses, including the judge as witness, and to provide for the inspection of documents, books, accounts and other records.

(2) If the commission, after investigation of a complaint, determines that there is sufficient evidence to warrant a hearing to determine whether or not there has been a violation under Section 177A, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, the commission may employ counsel to prepare and present the complaint to the commission, a committee of the commission, its master or its factfinder, and to represent the commission before the supreme court.

(3) The commission shall make transcripts of all hearings that are conducted under subsection (2) of this section. Such transcripts shall serve as a record in proceedings before the supreme court.

(4) On request of the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate or the governor, the commission shall make available information for use in consideration of impeachment or recall election, respectively.

(5) No records pertaining to complaints determined by the commission to be outside its jurisdiction shall be retained over twelve (12) months after such determination by the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-45 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-45
Status: in_force

The Seventeenth Circuit Court District shall be composed of the following counties:

(a) Panola County;

(b) Tallahatchie County;

(c) Tate County; and

(d) Yalobusha County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-17-2 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 9-23-23 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 9-11-21 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / Section 11-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-21
Status: in_force

The clerk of the justice court is required in all cases to give to any person paying him any fees, costs or other money a uniform receipt, the form of which is to be prepared by the attorney general. Such receipt shall contain the particulars of such fees, costs or other money, the amount of such fees, costs or other money and such other information as the attorney general shall deem necessary. The county shall have printed such receipts at county expense and distribute them to the clerk of the justice court of the county. Provided, however, that where the party filing the complaint is an entity of government, the clerk shall not be required to receive a prepayment of costs nor issue a receipt, but the clerk shall enter a notation on the docket wherein said complaint is recorded indicating that the party is exempt from payment of costs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 23 / Section 23-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature of Mississippi recognizes the critical need for judicial intervention to reduce the incidence of alcohol and drug use, alcohol and drug addiction, and crimes committed as a result of alcohol and drug use and alcohol and drug addiction. It is the intent of the Legislature to facilitate local intervention court alternative orders adaptable to chancery, circuit, county, youth, municipal and justice courts.

(2) The goals of the intervention courts under this chapter include the following:

(a) To reduce alcoholism and other drug dependencies among adult and juvenile offenders and defendants and among respondents in juvenile petitions for abuse, neglect or both;

(b) To reduce criminal and delinquent recidivism and the incidence of child abuse and neglect;

(c) To reduce the alcohol-related and other drug-related court workload;

(d) To increase personal, familial and societal accountability of adult and juvenile offenders and defendants and respondents in juvenile petitions for abuse, neglect or both;

(e) To promote effective interaction and use of resources among criminal and juvenile justice personnel, child protective services personnel and community agencies; and

(f) To use corrections resources more effectively by redirecting prison-bound offenders whose criminal conduct is driven in part by drug and alcohol dependence to intensive supervision and clinical treatment available in the intervention court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 19-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-3
Status: in_force

The terms of office of the commission members shall be for six (6) years, except that the initial terms of office shall be as follows: the circuit court judge member for six (6) years, the chancellor member for five (5) years, the county court judge member for five (5) years, the justice court judge member for four (4) years, one (1) of the lay members for three (3) years, the other lay member for two (2) years, and the attorney member for one (1) year. Members shall not be allowed to succeed themselves after serving a full term. Commission membership terminates if a member ceases to hold the position that qualified the member for appointment. A vacancy shall be filled by the appointing power for the remainder of the term.

No member of the commission, except a justice or judge, shall be eligible for state judicial office so long as he is a member of the commission and for a period of two (2) years thereafter. No member of the commission shall hold office in a political party or participate in any campaign for judicial office and hold public office; provided that a judge may participate in his own campaign for judicial office and hold that office. The commission shall elect one (1) of its members as its chairman.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-11 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 12 / 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. § 9-27-17 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / 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. § 9-7-95 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-95
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-95
Status: in_force

Cases filed in the county courts of any county in the nineteenth circuit court district, with the exception of equity and youth court cases, at the discretion of the county court judge, and with the consent of the circuit judge, may be transferred for trial to the circuit courts of such district, and the judgment rendered thereon on any such transferred case in the circuit court shall be a final judgment and shall be appealable in the same manner as now provided by law for appeals from final judgments rendered by circuit courts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 13 / Section 13-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-3
Status: in_force

Before entering into his office, the court reporter shall take, in open court, an oath that he will faithfully discharge the duties thereof; and the oath so taken shall be entered in the minutes of the court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-35 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 9-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-35
Status: in_force

In any county in cases where an overcrowded docket justifies the same, any circuit judge may assign to a county judge in said county only, for hearing and final disposition, any case, cause, hearing or motion, or any proceedings involved in the trial and final disposition thereof.

All orders in said cause, trial or hearing may be signed as follows: “․․․․․․․․․․․․ County Judge and Acting Circuit Judge by assignment.” No special order evidencing said assignment shall be entered on the minutes, except in cases where a county judge is assigned the duty of opening and organizing a court where a grand jury is to be impaneled, in which case an order so assigning the said county judge to act shall be signed and entered on the minutes of the court on the opening day thereof.

No compensation for said services shall be allowed said county judge, neither shall said county judge be compelled to accept any assignment except at his will.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-5 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / 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. § 9-13-117 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 13-117
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-117
Status: in_force

The board, for good cause shown and in keeping with its regulations and after a hearing conducted in a manner consistent with due process, may revoke or suspend any certificate issued or may disqualify any applicant from certification.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-205 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-205
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-205
Status: in_force

The chancery clerk shall keep an issue docket in which he shall set down (1) all causes triable according to due course at the instant term and (2) such other causes for final hearings as may be ordered (a) by the court or (b) by consent of all the parties. And he shall also place on said docket all petitions for the sale of the estates of decedents, minors and persons of unsound mind; all proceedings representing estates to be insolvent; final accounts of executors, administrators and guardians and petitions for distribution of an estate or payment of a legacy and all other similar matters in which an order or decree of the court is sought in matters testamentary, of administration, or guardianship, and wherein the issuance of process or notice is necessary to the final hearing on the matter so set down.

Such docket may be kept on computer as provided in Section 9-5-201 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-33 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 5-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-33
Status: in_force

There shall be three (3) chancellors for the Ninth Chancery Court District. One (1) chancellor shall be elected from each subdistrict.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-17 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 9-27-11 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / 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. § 9-27-5 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 19 / Section 27-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-5
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) “ Behavioral health ” means the promotion of mental health, resilience and wellbeing; the treatment of mental and substance use disorders; and the support of those who experience and/or are in recovery from these conditions, along with their families and communities.

(b) “ Chemical tests ” means the analysis of an individual's: (i) blood, (ii) breath, (iii) hair, (iv) sweat, (v) saliva, (vi) urine, or (vii) other bodily substance to determine the presence of alcohol or a controlled substance.

(c) “ Clinical assessment ” means the use of an actuarial assessment tool which evaluates an individual's physical, medical, cognitive, psychological (personality, emotions, beliefs and attitudes), and behavioral history and current conditions in order to determine the presence and severity of any mental health disorder.

(d) “ Co-Occurring disorder ” means coexistence of both a mental health and a substance use disorder as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM).

(e) “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)” is the publication by the American Psychiatric Association used by behavioral health professionals for the classification and diagnosing of mental health disorders.

(f) “ Evidence-based practices ” means practices which have been empirically researched and proven to have measurable positive outcomes; have been rigorously tested; have yielded consistent, replicable results; and have proven safe, beneficial and effective for a specific population.

(g) “ Mental health ” means a state of mental or emotional well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn, work well, and contribute to their community.

(h) “ Mental health disorder ” means a syndrome characterized by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual's cognition, emotion regulation or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological or developmental process underlying mental functioning as defined by the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as published by the American Psychiatric Association.

(i) “ Mental Health Treatment program ” means a highly structured evidence-based program for mental and behavioral health treatment of defendants that:

(i) Brings together mental health professionals, local social programs and intensive judicial monitoring;

(ii) Follows the key components of the mental health treatment court curriculum published by the Bureau of Justice Assistance; and

(iii) Utilizes supervision, policies, procedures and practices that scientific research demonstrates reduces recidivism.

(j) “ Risk and needs assessment ” means an actuarial evaluation tool to guide decision making at various points across the criminal justice continuum by approximating an individual's likelihood of reoffending and determining what individual criminogenic needs must be addressed to reduce that likelihood. Criminogenic risk and needs assessment tools consist of questions that are designed to ascertain someone's history of criminal behavior, attitudes and personality, and life circumstances.

(k) “ Risk and needs screening ” means the use of a brief actuarial tool that is used to determine a defendant's eligibility of a mental health treatment court by measuring the criminogenic risk and needs, identifying risk and protective factors, supports development of case management plan goals and determines the need of a full risk and needs assessment.

(l) “ Substance use disorder ” means a cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues using the substance despite significant substance-related problems such as impaired control, social impairment, risky behaviors, and pharmacological tolerance and withdrawal.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-49 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-49
Status: in_force

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

(a) George County;

(b) Greene County; and

(c) Jackson County.

(2) The local contribution required for the maintenance of the Nineteenth Circuit Court District shall not exceed, as to George and Greene Counties, the amount of their present local contribution in their present respective circuit court districts, and any excess shall be paid by Jackson County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-169 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-169
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-169
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in Section 25-61-11.2 , all of the records and papers of the office of the chancery clerk shall, at all reasonable hours on business days, be subject to the inspection and examination of all citizens; and the clerk shall show to any person inquiring for it where any record or paper in his or her office can be found, and shall allow him or her access to it, and to examine it and make any copy, note, or memorandum he or she desires to make of it.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-1-11 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 1-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-1-11
Status: in_force

The judge of a court shall not preside on the trial of any cause where the parties, or either of them, shall be connected with him by affinity or consanguinity, or where he may be interested in the same, or wherein he may have been of counsel, except by the consent of the judge and of the parties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-21 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 19-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-21
Status: in_force

(1) The commission shall be entitled to compel by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses, including the judge as witness, and to provide for the inspection of documents, books, accounts and other records.

(2) If the commission, after investigation of a complaint, determines that there is sufficient evidence to warrant a hearing to determine whether or not there has been a violation under Section 177A, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, the commission may employ counsel to prepare and present the complaint to the commission, a committee of the commission, its master or its factfinder, and to represent the commission before the supreme court.

(3) The commission shall make transcripts of all hearings that are conducted under subsection (2) of this section. Such transcripts shall serve as a record in proceedings before the supreme court.

(4) On request of the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate or the governor, the commission shall make available information for use in consideration of impeachment or recall election, respectively.

(5) No records pertaining to complaints determined by the commission to be outside its jurisdiction shall be retained over twelve (12) months after such determination by the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-9 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 5-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-9
Status: in_force

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

(a) Jasper County;

(b) Newton County; and

(c) Scott County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-111 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 11 / Section 13-111
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-111
Status: in_force

Upon application and payment of the application fee within six (6) months of the effective date of this chapter [July 2, 1994] and upon a showing of residence within the State of Mississippi, certification without examination shall issue to:

(a) Any official court reporter serving on January 3, 1996, in a Mississippi court on a full-time basis, if such reporter is actually engaged in verbatim reporting through shorthand symbols or the stenomask method.

(b) Any free-lance reporter actually engaged in verbatim reporting through shorthand symbols or the stenomask method and who had been so engaged as of July 2, 1994.

(c) Any person enrolled in any public or private institution in the State of Mississippi on July 2, 1994, who is majoring in a course of study in court reporting and who receives a degree in such course of study.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 13-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-3
Status: in_force

Before entering into his office, the court reporter shall take, in open court, an oath that he will faithfully discharge the duties thereof; and the oath so taken shall be entered in the minutes of the court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-5 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / 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. § 9-7-45 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-45
Status: in_force

The Seventeenth Circuit Court District shall be composed of the following counties:

(a) Panola County;

(b) Tallahatchie County;

(c) Tate County; and

(d) Yalobusha County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-15 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 23 / Section 23-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-15
Status: in_force

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

(a) The participant cannot have any felony convictions for any offenses that are crimes of violence as defined in Section 97-3-2 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 .

(c) Other criminal proceedings alleging commission of a crime of violence cannot be pending against the participant.

(d) The participant cannot be charged with burglary of a dwelling under Section 97-17-23(2) or 97-17-37 .

(e) The crime before the court cannot be a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or any other drug or drugs that resulted in the death of a person.

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

(2) Participation in the services of an alcohol and drug intervention component shall be open only to the individuals over whom the court has jurisdiction, except that the court may agree to provide the services for individuals referred from another intervention 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 an intervention court, a participant may be required to undergo a chemical test or a series of chemical tests as specified by the intervention court. A participant is liable for the costs of all chemical tests required under this section, regardless of whether the costs are paid to the intervention court or the laboratory; however, if testing is available from other sources or the program itself, the judge may waive any fees for testing. The judge may waive all fees if the applicant is determined to be indigent.

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

(4) A person does not have a right to participate in intervention court 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 intervention court under this chapter. However, any person meeting the eligibility criteria in subsection (1) of this section shall, upon request, be screened for admission to intervention court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-139 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 5-139
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-139
Status: in_force

In Harrison County, a county with two judicial districts, it shall be the duty of the chancery clerk to keep in his office at Biloxi, suitable record books or electronic equipment for the purpose of recording deeds, deeds of trust and other conveyances, instruments and contracts required by law to be recorded, and all deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, contracts, wills and other conveyances and contracts, and all muniments of title, documents and other papers required by law to be filed, enrolled or recorded relating to property situated in said second judicial district, shall be properly filed, enrolled or recorded in the office of said clerk at Biloxi, in books or by means of electronic filing or storage or both as provided in Sections 9-1-51 through 9-1-57 , as he may elect, and to be kept for that purpose in his said office at Biloxi. All official bonds shall be recorded by said clerk as required by law in the offices of the said clerk at Gulfport and at Biloxi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-175 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-175
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-175
Status: in_force

The clerk shall make out for each term a separate docket of cases begun by indictment, presentment, information, or other proceedings of a criminal nature, in the name or on behalf of the state or any municipal corporation. Such docket may be kept on computer as provided in Section 9-7-171 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-75 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 11 / 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. § 9-21-17 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / Section 21-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-17
Status: in_force

The Administrative Director of Courts and the Supreme Court are authorized to use the services of any member of the judiciary of any court and any court-supportive personnel, including, without limitation, court reporters, clerks, bailiffs, law clerks, court administrators, secretaries and employees in clerks' offices to carry out studies, projects and functions designed to improve or effect the efficient administration of justice and the operation of courts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-1-41 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 1-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-1-41
Status: in_force

In any action in which a court is authorized to award reasonable attorneys' fees, the court shall not require the party seeking such fees to put on proof as to the reasonableness of the amount sought, but shall make the award based on the information already before it and the court's own opinion based on experience and observation; provided however, a party may, in its discretion, place before the court other evidence as to the reasonableness of the amount of the award, and the court may consider such evidence in making the award.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-13 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 21-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-13
Status: in_force

(1) The Administrative Director of Courts shall coordinate the functions and duties of administrative personnel, including court administrators and court administrative aides to judges, to facilitate cooperation and so that the overall administration of justice may be accomplished with efficiency in all courts of the state.

(2) The Administrative Director of Courts is authorized to direct the expenditure of state monies appropriated to the Administrative Office of Courts or any courts of the state for any and all functions or projects directly or indirectly affecting the operation of any court and may transfer monies appropriated for the office or any account to any one or more other accounts or office.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-14 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 19 / Section 21-14
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-14
Status: in_force

(1) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the Comprehensive Electronic Court Systems Fund. The purpose of the fund shall be to provide funding for the development, implementation and maintenance of a comprehensive case management and electronic filing system, one of the purposes of which will be to provide duplicate dockets and case files at remote sites. The system will be designed to:

(a) Provide a framework for the seamless, transparent exchange of data among courts and with appropriate law enforcement, children's services and public welfare agencies.

(b) Allow judges and prosecutors to determine whether there are holds or warrants from other jurisdictions for defendants prior to release on bail or otherwise.

(c) Assist related agencies in tracking the court activity of individuals in all participating jurisdictions.

(d) Assist child protection and human services agencies to determine the status of children and caregivers in the participating jurisdictions.

(e) Duplicate and preserve court documents at remote sites so that they may be protected against catastrophic loss.

(f) Improve the ability of the Administrative Office of Courts and the state courts to handle efficiently monies flowing through the courts and to collect delinquent fees, fines and costs.

(g) Enable the state courts and clerks to generate management reports and analysis tools, allowing them to constantly track individual cases and the overall caseload.

(h) Provide a uniform system for docketing and tracking cases and to automatically generate status reports.

(i) Enable the Administrative Office of Courts to acquire statistical data promptly and efficiently.

(j) Make trial court and individual case dockets available to the public online through use of the Internet.

(2) Monies from the fund shall be distributed by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Administrative Office of Courts.

(3) 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 purposes of funding the comprehensive case management and electronic filing system;

(b) The interest accruing to the fund;

(c) Monies received from the federal government;

(d) Donations; and

(e) Monies received from such other sources as may be provided by law.

(4) The Supreme Court may utilize and fund as a pilot program any case management and electronic filing system of the Three Rivers Planning and Development District or that of any county or vendor that complies with the data and case management and electronic filing policy standards adopted by the Supreme Court. No statewide comprehensive case management and electronic system shall be implemented by the Mississippi Supreme Court unless such system is approved by the Legislature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-1 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 9-7-128 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 7-128
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-128
Status: in_force

(1) Where there is no requirement for a permanent record to be made, the clerk, upon order of the court, may dispose of and destroy all case files of the circuit or county court which have been in existence for ten (10) years or which have been reduced to judgment and that judgment satisfied and cancelled. The clerk may also dispose of and destroy any loose records not required by law to be kept as permanent records after a period of ten (10) years. No records, however, may be destroyed without the approval of the Director of the Department of Archives and History.

(2) The files, records and other documents described herein may, upon order of the court in accordance with the provisions of this section, be electronically stored for convenience and efficiency in storage. The electronic storage of documents, for purposes of this section, shall have the same meaning as set forth in Section 9-1-51 . In those counties electing to store files, records and documents by means of electronic storage, the following described case files shall be electronically stored after the time periods described below have elapsed:

(a) Cases in county criminal or civil court which have been dismissed or in which a judgment has been entered at least three (3) years prior to the date upon which they are electronically stored; and

(b) Cases in circuit, criminal or civil court which have been dismissed or in which a judgment has been entered at least five (5) years prior to the date upon which they are electronically stored.

(3) Nothing in this section shall serve as authority to destroy any docket book, minute book, issue docket, subpoena docket, witness docket book, execution docket book, voter registration book, marriage record book, trial order, abstract of judgment, judgment roll, criminal file where an indictment was returned and the defendant convicted if the file is not at least twenty (20) years old, habeas corpus docket, preliminary hearing docket or Court of Appeals or Supreme Court appeals docket.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-13 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / Section 11-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-13
Status: in_force

Each justice of the peace shall, at the beginning and in front of all his entries in his docket, make and subscribe substantially the following entry, to-wit:

“A docket of proceedings in matters civil and criminal before _______, a justice of the peace of the county of _______, in the State of Mississippi, in District No._______ of said county, for the election of justices of the peace. Witness my signature.

____________________

Justice of the Peace.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-45 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 5-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-45
Status: in_force

There shall be three (3) chancellors for the Fourteenth Chancery Court District. One (1) chancellor shall be elected from each subdistrict.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-27 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 11 / Section 13-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-27
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the court reporter to deliver to the clerk of the court in which any suit may be tried, at the conclusion of the trial, all depositions, exhibits, maps or other item of evidence, or matter of proceeding, introduced in evidence during the progress of the trial, and such clerk is hereby designated the custodian of such depositions, exhibits, maps or other item of evidence, or matter of proceeding, and he shall file and identify the same and, in the event an appeal to the supreme court shall be perfected in the suit, it shall be the duty of the clerk to correctly transcribe such depositions, exhibits, or other item of evidence, or matter or proceeding, and to cause a correct copy of any map to be made and to incorporate said copies of depositions, exhibits, maps, or other item of evidence, or matter of proceeding in the record of such suit to be filed with the supreme court. Provided, however, that upon order of the trial court any original exhibit shall be forwarded to the supreme court as a part of the record.

It shall be the duty of the clerk to safely keep in his custody all of such original depositions, exhibits, maps or other item of evidence, or matter of proceeding, until the final determination of the suit, or until the time has expired in which an appeal to the supreme court may be perfected.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-17 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 21 / 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. § 9-5-217 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-217
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-217
Status: in_force

The clerk shall keep an execution docket in the manner required of the clerk of the circuit court, in which he shall enter all final process issued by him, and record at large the returns that may be made thereon.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-15 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 11 / Section 23-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-15
Status: in_force

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

(a) The participant cannot have any felony convictions for any offenses that are crimes of violence as defined in Section 97-3-2 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 .

(c) Other criminal proceedings alleging commission of a crime of violence cannot be pending against the participant.

(d) The participant cannot be charged with burglary of a dwelling under Section 97-17-23(2) or 97-17-37 .

(e) The crime before the court cannot be a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or any other drug or drugs that resulted in the death of a person.

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

(2) Participation in the services of an alcohol and drug intervention component shall be open only to the individuals over whom the court has jurisdiction, except that the court may agree to provide the services for individuals referred from another intervention 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 an intervention court, a participant may be required to undergo a chemical test or a series of chemical tests as specified by the intervention court. A participant is liable for the costs of all chemical tests required under this section, regardless of whether the costs are paid to the intervention court or the laboratory; however, if testing is available from other sources or the program itself, the judge may waive any fees for testing. The judge may waive all fees if the applicant is determined to be indigent.

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

(4) A person does not have a right to participate in intervention court 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 intervention court under this chapter. However, any person meeting the eligibility criteria in subsection (1) of this section shall, upon request, be screened for admission to intervention court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-57 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 5-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-57
Status: in_force

The Twentieth Chancery Court District shall be Rankin County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-5 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 5-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-5
Status: in_force

The First Chancery 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;

(g) Tishomingo County; and

(h) Union County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-43 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-43
Status: in_force

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

(a) Chickasaw County;

(b) Clay County;

(c) Lowndes County;

(d) Noxubee County;

(e) Oktibbeha County; and

(f) Webster County.

(2) The Fourteenth Chancery Court District shall be divided into three (3) subdistricts as follows:

(a) Subdistrict 14-1 shall consist of Chickasaw County, Webster County and the following precincts in Oktibbeha County: Bell Schoolhouse*, Bradley, Center Grove, Central Starkville*, Craig Springs, Double Springs, East Starkville*, Gillespie Street Center*, Maben, North Adaton, North Longview, North Starkville 2*, North Starkville 3, Northeast Starkville, Self Creek, South Adaton, South Longview, South Starkville*, Sturgis and West Starkville*.

(b) Subdistrict 14-2 shall consist of the following precincts in the following counties:

(i) Clay County: Cedar Bluff, Central West Point, East West Point, Siloam, South West Point and Vinton; and

(ii) Lowndes County: Air Base A, Air Base B, Air Base C, Air Base D, Air Base E, Brandon A, Brandon B, Brandon C, Brandon D, Caledonia, Columbus High School A, Columbus High School B, Columbus High School C, Columbus High School D, Dowdle Gas Training Center B, Fairgrounds C, Fairgrounds E, Fairgrounds F, Hunt C, Lee Middle School, Mitchell A, New Hope A, New Hope B, New Hope C, New Hope D, New Hope E, Rural Hill A, Rural Hill B, Rural Hill C, Sale A, Sale B, Sale C, Steens A, Steens B, Steens C, Trinity B, Union Academy B, Union Academy C and University A.

(c) Subdistrict 14-3 shall consist of Noxubee County and the following precincts in the following counties:

(i) Clay County: Cairo, Caradine, North West Point, Pheba, Pine Bluff, Tibbee, Union Star and West West Point;

(ii) Lowndes County: Artesia, Coleman A, Coleman B, Crawford A, Fairgrounds A, Fairgrounds B, Fairgrounds D, Fairgrounds G, Hunt A, Hunt B, Mitchell B, New Hope F, Plum Grove A, Plum Grove B, Plum Grove C, Propst Park Community Hut, Trinity A, Union Academy A, University B, West Lowndes A and West Lowndes B; and

(iii) Oktibbeha County: Bell Schoolhouse*, Central Starkville*, East Starkville*, Gillespie Street Center*, Hickory Grove, North Starkville 2*, Oktoc, Osborn, Sessums, South Starkville*, Southeast Oktibbeha and West Starkville*.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 9-9-14 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 9-12-7 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 12 / Section 12-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-12-7
Status: in_force

The Department of Finance and Administration in conjunction with the Administrative Office of Courts shall designate a suitable location or building for the purpose of allowing the Capitol Complex Improvement District (CCID) inferior court to hold court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-41 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 5-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-41
Status: in_force

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

(a) Covington County;

(b) Jefferson Davis County;

(c) Lawrence County;

(d) Simpson County; and

(e) Smith County.

(2) There shall be two (2) chancellors for the Thirteenth Chancery Court District. 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. § 9-7-25 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 7-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-25
Status: in_force

(1) There shall be four (4) circuit judges for the Seventh Circuit Court District. One (1) judge shall be elected from each subdistrict.

(2) While there shall be no limitation whatsoever upon the powers and duties of the said judges other than as cast upon them by the Constitution and laws of this state, the court in the First Judicial District of Hinds County, in the discretion of the senior circuit judge, may be divided into civil and criminal divisions as a matter of convenience, by the entry of an order upon the minutes of the court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-32 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / Section 13-32
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-32
Status: in_force

Any attorney of record or interested entity in any cause pending in a court, including justice court, which does not provide an official court reporter, may, in the discretion of the attorney or interested entity, record or have recorded any court proceeding in the cause by mechanical means or stenographically. Any expenses incident thereto shall be borne by the party or parties represented by the entity or attorney of record. The record of the court proceeding shall be used for impeachment purposes only. An interested entity includes, but is not limited to, the victim of a crime or a property owner on whose property a crime has been committed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-45 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 9-21-81 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 12 / Section 21-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-81
Status: in_force

(1) Any volunteer interpreter providing services under Sections 9-21-71 through 9-21-81 shall be paid reasonable expenses by the court.

(2) The expenses of providing an interpreter in any court proceeding or instance arising out of litigation must be payable out of the county or municipal treasury at no cost to the litigant.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-43 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 9-11-13 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 11-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-13
Status: in_force

Each justice of the peace shall, at the beginning and in front of all his entries in his docket, make and subscribe substantially the following entry, to-wit:

“A docket of proceedings in matters civil and criminal before _______, a justice of the peace of the county of _______, in the State of Mississippi, in District No._______ of said county, for the election of justices of the peace. Witness my signature.

____________________

Justice of the Peace.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-14 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / 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. § 9-7-15 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-15
Status: in_force

(1) The Fourth Circuit Court District shall be composed of the following counties:

(a) Leflore County;

(b) Sunflower County; and

(c) Washington County.

(2) The Fourth Circuit Court District shall be divided into four (4) subdistricts as follows:

(a) Subdistrict 4-1 shall consist of the following precincts in the following counties:

(i) Leflore County: Minter City, North Greenwood, Money, Northeast Greenwood, Schlater, West Greenwood, Mississippi Valley State University and Southeast Greenwood Precincts; and

(ii) Sunflower County: Ruleville, Rome, Sunflower Plantation, Drew, Doddsville, Boyer-Linn, Fairview-Hale and Ruleville North Precincts.

(b) Subdistrict 4-2 shall consist of the following precincts in the following counties:

(i) Sunflower County: Indianola 1, Sunflower, Indianola 3 North, Indianola 3 South and Indianola 3 Northeast Precincts; and

(ii) Washington County: Extension Building, Faith Lutheran Church, American Legion, Metcalfe City Hall, Elks Club, Leland Health Department Clinic, Leland Light and Water Plant and Greenville Industrial College Precincts.

(c) Subdistrict 4-3 shall consist of the following precincts in the following counties:

(i) Leflore County: East Greenwood Sub-A, East Greenwood Sub-B, Central Greenwood, North Itta Bena, South Itta Bena, Southwest Greenwood, Rising Sun, Sidon, Morgan City, Swiftown and South Greenwood Precincts;

(ii) Sunflower County: Moorhead, Inverness, Indianola 2 West and Indianola 2 East Precincts; and

(iii) Washington County: Arcola City Hall, Hollandale City Hall, Darlove Baptist Church and Mangelardi Bourbon Store Precincts.

(d) Subdistrict 4-4 shall consist of the following precincts in Washington County: St. James Episcopal Church, Swiftwater Baptist Church, Glen Allan Health Clinic, Italian Club, Ward's Recreation Center, Buster Brown Community Center, Avon Health Center, Kapco Company, Brent Center, William Percy Library and Grace Methodist Church Precincts.

(3) The local contributions required for the maintenance of the Fourth Circuit Court District shall be paid on a pro rata basis each by Leflore, Sunflower and Washington Counties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-3-67 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 3-67
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-3-67
Status: in_force

The Advisory Committee on Rules shall select a chairman and a vice-chairman from among its members and shall provide for its method of operation. The committee shall have the authority to employ and compensate a competent person or persons to serve as research counsel for the advisory committee who shall serve at the pleasure of the committee either in a full-time or part-time capacity. The committee shall have the authority to employ reporters to direct such projects as it may undertake and to compensate such reporters as may be appropriate. In addition, the committee shall have the authority to employ and compensate such assistants to and staff for the research counsel and the reporters, and to employ and compensate such other persons as the committee may from time to time deem necessary or advisable to discharge the duties with which the committee is herein charged. Reasonable actual expenses of food, lodging and transportation incurred by members of the committee in the performance of their duties shall be reimbursed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-23 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 9-21-14 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 21-14
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-14
Status: in_force

(1) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the Comprehensive Electronic Court Systems Fund. The purpose of the fund shall be to provide funding for the development, implementation and maintenance of a comprehensive case management and electronic filing system, one of the purposes of which will be to provide duplicate dockets and case files at remote sites. The system will be designed to:

(a) Provide a framework for the seamless, transparent exchange of data among courts and with appropriate law enforcement, children's services and public welfare agencies.

(b) Allow judges and prosecutors to determine whether there are holds or warrants from other jurisdictions for defendants prior to release on bail or otherwise.

(c) Assist related agencies in tracking the court activity of individuals in all participating jurisdictions.

(d) Assist child protection and human services agencies to determine the status of children and caregivers in the participating jurisdictions.

(e) Duplicate and preserve court documents at remote sites so that they may be protected against catastrophic loss.

(f) Improve the ability of the Administrative Office of Courts and the state courts to handle efficiently monies flowing through the courts and to collect delinquent fees, fines and costs.

(g) Enable the state courts and clerks to generate management reports and analysis tools, allowing them to constantly track individual cases and the overall caseload.

(h) Provide a uniform system for docketing and tracking cases and to automatically generate status reports.

(i) Enable the Administrative Office of Courts to acquire statistical data promptly and efficiently.

(j) Make trial court and individual case dockets available to the public online through use of the Internet.

(2) Monies from the fund shall be distributed by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Administrative Office of Courts.

(3) 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 purposes of funding the comprehensive case management and electronic filing system;

(b) The interest accruing to the fund;

(c) Monies received from the federal government;

(d) Donations; and

(e) Monies received from such other sources as may be provided by law.

(4) The Supreme Court may utilize and fund as a pilot program any case management and electronic filing system of the Three Rivers Planning and Development District or that of any county or vendor that complies with the data and case management and electronic filing policy standards adopted by the Supreme Court. No statewide comprehensive case management and electronic system shall be implemented by the Mississippi Supreme Court unless such system is approved by the Legislature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-15 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 9-5-137 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 5-137
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-137
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the clerk to preserve and keep all records, files, papers and proceedings belonging to his office, and to record all last wills and testaments which may be probated; all letters testamentary, of administration, and guardianship; all accounts allowed; all inventories, appraisements, and reports duly returned; all instruments which are duly proved, and which by law are required to be recorded in his office, in well-bound books to be kept for that purpose, each class in a separate book or books, or by means of electronic filing or storage or both in addition to or in lieu of any such physical records as provided in Sections 9-1-51 through 9-1-57 , as the clerk may elect; all records shall be properly indexed. He shall issue all process which may be required of him by law or by order of the court, or the chancellor in vacation; and shall discharge all other duties which may be required of him by law, or which properly appertain to the duties of his office. The clerk shall be under the direction of the court in termtime, and of the chancellor in vacation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-45 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 19 / 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. § 9-27-11 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 21 / 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. § 9-13-5 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / 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. § 9-19-21 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 19-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-21
Status: in_force

(1) The commission shall be entitled to compel by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses, including the judge as witness, and to provide for the inspection of documents, books, accounts and other records.

(2) If the commission, after investigation of a complaint, determines that there is sufficient evidence to warrant a hearing to determine whether or not there has been a violation under Section 177A, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, the commission may employ counsel to prepare and present the complaint to the commission, a committee of the commission, its master or its factfinder, and to represent the commission before the supreme court.

(3) The commission shall make transcripts of all hearings that are conducted under subsection (2) of this section. Such transcripts shall serve as a record in proceedings before the supreme court.

(4) On request of the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate or the governor, the commission shall make available information for use in consideration of impeachment or recall election, respectively.

(5) No records pertaining to complaints determined by the commission to be outside its jurisdiction shall be retained over twelve (12) months after such determination by the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-26 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 7-26
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-26
Status: repealed

(1) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall appoint four (4) temporary special circuit judges for the Seventh Circuit Court District. No limitation whatsoever shall be placed upon the powers and duties of the judges other than those provided by the Constitution and laws of this state. The term of the temporary special circuit judges shall expire on December 31, 2026.

(2) The judges shall be appointed no later than fifteen (15) days after July 1, 2023, according to applicable state laws. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may elect to reappoint circuit judges that are serving on a temporary basis as of July 1, 2023, in the Seventh Circuit Court District.

(3)(a) Each temporary special circuit judge shall receive an office operating allowance to be used for the purposes described and in amounts equal to those authorized in Section 9-1-36 .

(b) The Administrative Office of Courts shall establish personnel policies to compensate the support staff for each temporary special circuit judge.

(4) This section shall stand repealed on December 31, 2026.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-17 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 9-7-139 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 7-139
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-139
Status: in_force

When a pardon may be granted by the governor to anyone convicted of a crime, two copies thereof shall be filed with the secretary of state in accordance with the provisions of Section 7-3-5, Mississippi Code of 1972 . One such copy shall be retained by the secretary of state in a permanent register and the other copy shall be immediately forwarded by the secretary of state to the circuit clerk of the county in which such person was convicted. The county shall furnish and the circuit clerk shall maintain a permanent record of pardons and the circuit clerk may certify the fact of any recorded pardon for use in any court or agency, state or federal.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-1 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / 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. § 9-7-35 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-35
Status: in_force

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

(a) Forrest County; and

(b) Perry County.

(2) There shall be two (2) judges for the Twelfth Circuit Court District. 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. § 9-5-49 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 9-7-55 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / 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. § 9-21-81 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 13 / Section 21-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-81
Status: in_force

(1) Any volunteer interpreter providing services under Sections 9-21-71 through 9-21-81 shall be paid reasonable expenses by the court.

(2) The expenses of providing an interpreter in any court proceeding or instance arising out of litigation must be payable out of the county or municipal treasury at no cost to the litigant.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-17 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 7-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-17
Status: in_force

There shall be four (4) circuit judges for the Fourth Circuit Court District. One (1) circuit judge shall be elected from each subdistrict.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-19 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 25 / 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. § 9-11-25 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / Section 11-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-25
Status: in_force

Every justice court judge whose term of office expires, or who resigns, removes from the county, or otherwise goes out of office, and the legal representative and next of kin of every justice court judge who dies, shall, within ten (10) days thereafter, deliver his case record, with all process and papers and books of statutes relating to his office, to the clerk of the justice court of the county.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 27-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-27-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature recognizes the critical need for judicial intervention to establish court processes and procedures that are more responsive to the needs of defendants with mental illnesses, while maintaining public safety and the integrity of the court process.

(2) The goals of the mental health treatment courts under this chapter include the following:

(a) Reduce the number of future criminal justice contacts among offenders with mental illnesses;

(b) Reduce the inappropriate institutionalization of people with mental illnesses;

(c) Improve the mental and behavioral health and well-being of defendants who come in contact with the criminal justice system;

(d) Improve linkages between the criminal justice system and the mental health system;

(e) Expedite case processing;

(f) Protect public safety;

(g) Establish linkages with other state and local agencies and programs that target people with mental illnesses in order to maximize the delivery of services; and

(h) To use corrections resources more effectively by redirecting prison-bound offenders whose criminal conduct is driven in part by mental illnesses to intensive supervision and clinical treatment available in the mental health treatment court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-45 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 11 / 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. § 9-13-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / Section 13-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-3
Status: in_force

Before entering into his office, the court reporter shall take, in open court, an oath that he will faithfully discharge the duties thereof; and the oath so taken shall be entered in the minutes of the court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-5 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 23-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-5
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) “ Chemical ” tests means the analysis of an individual's: (i) blood, (ii) breath, (iii) hair, (iv) sweat, (v) saliva, (vi) urine, or (vii) other bodily substance to determine the presence of alcohol or a controlled substance.

(b) “ Crime of violence ” means an offense listed in Section 97-3-2 .

(c) “ Intervention court ” means a drug court, mental health court, veterans court or problem-solving court that utilizes an immediate and highly structured intervention process for eligible defendants or juveniles that brings together mental health professionals, substance abuse professionals, local social programs and intensive judicial monitoring.

(d) “ Evidence-based practices ” means supervision policies, procedures and practices that scientific research demonstrates reduce recidivism.

(e) “ Risk and needs assessment ” means the use of an actuarial assessment tool validated on a Mississippi corrections population to determine a person's risk to reoffend and the characteristics that, if addressed, reduce the risk to reoffend.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-15 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 12 / Section 13-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-15
Status: in_force

If the court reporter is absent during the session of the court, the judge or chancellor may, by an order entered upon the minutes of the court, appoint a court reporter pro tempore, who shall be sworn to faithfully discharge his duties as such, and who shall perform all the duties and be liable to all the penalties and punishments described for or incident to the office of court reporter. The court reporter pro tempore shall be paid for his services by the Administrative Office of Courts, out of the salary of the regular court reporter and at the same rate as the regular court reporter for the time that the court reporter pro tempore shall act. The court which is being served by the court reporter pro tempore shall authorize his compensation by auditing and reporting the time served by the court reporter pro tempore to the Administrative Office of Courts. However, if the appointment of a court reporter pro tempore is made because of illness of the regular court reporter, the court may authorize compensation of said court reporter pro tempore 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. The salary of the court reporter pro tempore shall be paid as provided in Section 9-13-19 .

All acts of the court reporter pro tempore shall be as valid and effectual as if done by the regular court reporter; and such acts as are required to be certified and signed by the court reporter shall be certified and signed by him as court reporter pro tempore.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-31 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / 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. § 9-5-25 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-25
Status: in_force

There shall be three (3) chancellors for the Seventh Chancery Court District. The three (3) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct. One (1) chancellor shall be elected from Subdistrict 7-1 and shall be denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as “Place One,” and two (2) chancellors shall be elected from Subdistrict 7-2 and shall be denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as “Place Two” and “Place Three.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-17 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 9-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-17
Status: in_force

(1) In order to relieve the crowded condition of the docket in the county court and in the youth court of Jackson County and particularly to facilitate and make possible the trial and disposition of the large number of causes on said docket and in the youth court, there shall be two (2) county judges for Jackson County, Mississippi, 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 Jackson County who has been for the longest time continuously a county judge of said county 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 Jackson 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 two (2) county judges shall be elected at the same time and in the same manner now prescribed by law for the existing judgeship of Jackson County.

(5) The Board of Supervisors of Jackson County may, in its discretion, set aside, appropriate and expend moneys 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. § 9-5-147 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 5-147
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-147
Status: in_force

All acts, judgments, orders, or decrees made by the clerk in term time or vacation or at rules, shall be subject to the approval or disapproval of the court of which he is clerk, and shall not be final until approved by the court. All such orders and proceedings of the clerk may, by order of the chancellor in vacation, be suspended until a hearing before him in court, and shall be subject to such orders and decrees as the court may make.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-19 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 9-5-53 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 9-13-23 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / 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.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-39 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 9-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-39
Status: in_force

All pending matters in any county court that may be abolished shall be transferred to the court of proper jurisdiction without the necessity for any motion or order of court for such transfer or for reformation of pleadings, and final judgments or decrees in causes transferred shall include costs incurred in the county court. After abolishment of a county court, executions and all process on final judgments or decrees theretofore entered therein shall be issued by the clerk of the circuit court of the county and made returnable to any court in the county where rendered then having jurisdiction of the subject-matter involved or of any of the parties, and the court to which such executions or process is returned shall have jurisdiction thereof and try all issues pertaining thereto.

After the abolishment of a county court, the circuit clerk of the county shall be the official custodian of all its records and may certify to copies thereof under his seal. When the result of an appeal to the supreme court shall be a reversal of the circuit court and in material particulars in effect an affirmance of the judgment of a county court which has been abolished, the supreme court shall enter judgment in the cause or remand it to the circuit court which shall have full jurisdiction thereof and shall enter final judgment in accordance with the opinion and fiat of the supreme court or proceed as the supreme court may otherwise direct.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-13 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 13 / Section 13-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-13-13
Status: in_force

It shall not be lawful for the court reporter to resign or vacate his office so long as any business connected therewith, upon the discharge of which he has entered, is unfinished; but after such business has been completed as required by law, he may at any time resign or vacate his office; and his resignation shall take effect from the time he notifies the judge or chancellor of the same.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-15 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 23-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-15
Status: in_force

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

(a) The participant cannot have any felony convictions for any offenses that are crimes of violence as defined in Section 97-3-2 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 .

(c) Other criminal proceedings alleging commission of a crime of violence cannot be pending against the participant.

(d) The participant cannot be charged with burglary of a dwelling under Section 97-17-23(2) or 97-17-37 .

(e) The crime before the court cannot be a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or any other drug or drugs that resulted in the death of a person.

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

(2) Participation in the services of an alcohol and drug intervention component shall be open only to the individuals over whom the court has jurisdiction, except that the court may agree to provide the services for individuals referred from another intervention 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 an intervention court, a participant may be required to undergo a chemical test or a series of chemical tests as specified by the intervention court. A participant is liable for the costs of all chemical tests required under this section, regardless of whether the costs are paid to the intervention court or the laboratory; however, if testing is available from other sources or the program itself, the judge may waive any fees for testing. The judge may waive all fees if the applicant is determined to be indigent.

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

(4) A person does not have a right to participate in intervention court 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 intervention court under this chapter. However, any person meeting the eligibility criteria in subsection (1) of this section shall, upon request, be screened for admission to intervention court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-9 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 9-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-9
Status: in_force

The county judge shall not practice law in any of the courts of the county wherein he holds court, but this prohibition shall not prohibit the judges of the county courts from practicing in any of the courts so far as to enable them to bring to a conclusion cases actually pending when they were appointed or elected, in which such county judges were then employed as provided in Section 9-1-25, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for judges of the circuit court and chancellors.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-18.3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / 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. § 9-7-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / 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. § 9-9-17 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 9-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-17
Status: in_force

(1) In order to relieve the crowded condition of the docket in the county court and in the youth court of Jackson County and particularly to facilitate and make possible the trial and disposition of the large number of causes on said docket and in the youth court, there shall be two (2) county judges for Jackson County, Mississippi, 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 Jackson County who has been for the longest time continuously a county judge of said county 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 Jackson 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 two (2) county judges shall be elected at the same time and in the same manner now prescribed by law for the existing judgeship of Jackson County.

(5) The Board of Supervisors of Jackson County may, in its discretion, set aside, appropriate and expend moneys 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. § 9-11-33 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 7 / Section 11-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-33
Status: in_force

A justice court judge may correct any errors or mistakes in any proceedings that are conducted before such judge or in the records of proceedings conducted before such judge. A justice court judge may set aside any proceeding or judgment in a case conducted before such judge upon a written order as may be just and proper after a proceeding in which the judge determines that good cause has been shown to support such order.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-157 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-157
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-157
Status: in_force

The clerk of the chancery court shall either procure a well-bound book, arranged alphabetically and properly ruled, lined and headed to show the name of the principal and surety, name of principal obligor, name of obligee, date of bond, penalty of bond, kind of bond, where recorded if recorded, number of suit in which filed and date of discharge or provide for the electronic filing or storage or both as provided in Sections 9-1-51 through 9-1-57 of this information. In one of these manners he shall abstract each bond, when filed in his office, by entering in such record the name of each principal and surety, under the proper letter, the name of principal obligor, name of obligee, date, penalty, kind of bond, where recorded if recorded, and number of suit in which filed. And when such bond has been discharged, the date thereof shall be entered in said record under the proper heading. The clerk of the chancery court shall also, as soon as said record has been obtained, thus abstract all executor's, administrator's and guardian's bonds in matters at that time pending in the chancery court of his county.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-35 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 9 / Section 9-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-9-35
Status: in_force

In any county in cases where an overcrowded docket justifies the same, any circuit judge may assign to a county judge in said county only, for hearing and final disposition, any case, cause, hearing or motion, or any proceedings involved in the trial and final disposition thereof.

All orders in said cause, trial or hearing may be signed as follows: “․․․․․․․․․․․․ County Judge and Acting Circuit Judge by assignment.” No special order evidencing said assignment shall be entered on the minutes, except in cases where a county judge is assigned the duty of opening and organizing a court where a grand jury is to be impaneled, in which case an order so assigning the said county judge to act shall be signed and entered on the minutes of the court on the opening day thereof.

No compensation for said services shall be allowed said county judge, neither shall said county judge be compelled to accept any assignment except at his will.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-31 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 4 / Section 5-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-31
Status: in_force

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

(a) Humphreys County;

(b) Issaquena County;

(c) Sharkey County;

(d) Sunflower County;

(e) Warren County; and

(f) Washington County.

(2) The Ninth Chancery Court District shall be divided into three (3) subdistricts as follows:

(a) Subdistrict 9-1 shall consist of the following precincts in the following counties:

(i) Sunflower County: Boyer-Linn, Drew, Fairview-Hale, Indianola 2 East*, Indianola 3 North*, Indianola 3 Northeast*, Indianola 3 South*, Rome, Ruleville, Ruleville North and Sunflower Plantation; and

(ii) Washington County: American Legion, Brent Center, Buster Brown Community Center, Darlove Baptist Church*, Elks Club, Extension Building, Grace Methodist Church*, Greenville Industrial College, Leland Health Department Clinic, Leland Rotary Club, Metcalf City Hall and Potter House Church.

(b) Subdistrict 9-2 shall consist of Humphreys County and the following precincts in the following counties:

(i) Sunflower County: Doddsville, Indianola 2 East*, Indianola 2 West, Indianola 3 North*, Indianola 3 Northeast*, Indianola 3 South*, Indianola Southeast, Inverness, Moorhead, Sunflower 3 and Sunflower 4; and

(ii) Washington County: Arcola City Hall, Christ Wesleyan Methodist Church, Darlove Baptist Church*, Glen Allan Health Clinic, Grace Methodist Church*, Hollandale City Hall, St. James Episcopal Church, Swiftwater Baptist Church, Tampa Drive and Ward's Recreation Center.

(c) Subdistrict 9-3 shall consist of Issaquena County, Sharkey County and Warren County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-21-75 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 9-13-23 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / 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.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-51 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-51
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-7-51
Status: in_force

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

(2) The senior judge of the Nineteenth Circuit Court District may divide the court of any county within the district into civil, criminal and appellate court divisions as a matter of convenience by the entry of an order upon the minutes of the court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-23 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 9-3-27 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 1 / Section 3-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-3-27
Status: in_force

The judges of the Supreme Court are authorized and empowered to employ such number of secretaries and research assistants to said court as the court may deem necessary for its efficient operation, provided, that each of said research assistants herein authorized shall be qualified members of the Mississippi State Bar, or qualified for admission thereto under the laws of this state. They shall each receive a salary to be fixed by the judges of the Supreme Court, through an order entered on the minutes of said court, within the appropriation for the payment of such salaries in the Supreme Court. Said secretaries and research assistants, upon entering into the discharge of their duties, shall take an oath to be administered by one of the judges of said court that they will faithfully discharge the duties of said office and that they will not disclose the secrets or deliberations of the court, and they shall be removed at the pleasure of the court. Said secretaries and assistants shall be paid on a certificate by the chief justice or by a justice appointed by him to so act to the auditor of public accounts, who shall issue his warrant for the amount or amounts so certified to the state treasurer.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-23-7 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 9-21-5 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 19 / 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. § 9-13-109 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 9-19-3 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 13 / Section 19-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-19-3
Status: in_force

The terms of office of the commission members shall be for six (6) years, except that the initial terms of office shall be as follows: the circuit court judge member for six (6) years, the chancellor member for five (5) years, the county court judge member for five (5) years, the justice court judge member for four (4) years, one (1) of the lay members for three (3) years, the other lay member for two (2) years, and the attorney member for one (1) year. Members shall not be allowed to succeed themselves after serving a full term. Commission membership terminates if a member ceases to hold the position that qualified the member for appointment. A vacancy shall be filled by the appointing power for the remainder of the term.

No member of the commission, except a justice or judge, shall be eligible for state judicial office so long as he is a member of the commission and for a period of two (2) years thereafter. No member of the commission shall hold office in a political party or participate in any campaign for judicial office and hold public office; provided that a judge may participate in his own campaign for judicial office and hold that office. The commission shall elect one (1) of its members as its chairman.
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-103 — MS Code / Title 9 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-103
Status: in_force

Whenever it shall appear by petition to the chancery court, or chancellor in vacation, that any bond given by an assignee, receiver, executor, administrator, guardian, or trustee is in excess of the value of the estate being administered, and as such is an unnecessary expense to the estate, or that other sufficient cause appears for so doing, the chancery court or chancellor in vacation may, after five days' service of copy of said petition on the surety, cancel the bond or reduce the same to an amount sufficient to protect the estate, or accept a new bond in substitution of an existing one. However, the decree rendered shall not affect the liability upon a bond which accrued prior to its cancellation, reduction or substitution.