Opinion ID: 1711117
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Whether the Circuit Court was Without Jurisdiction

Text: ¶ 5. The trial judge granted a change of venue to Amite County but later amended the order to transfer venue for the limited purpose of selecting jurors. The amended order provided that the trial would be held in Adams County. Brown's first claim is that the Circuit Court of Adams County lacked jurisdiction to enter the order of conviction. Brown asserts that he was entitled to change of venue but no such change was ever effected since the trial was held in Adams County. ¶ 6. Brown argues, alternatively, that either the jurors from Amite County were illegally summoned by the Circuit Court of Adams County or that the Circuit Court of Amite County illegally tried him in Adams County. Brown concludes that, either way, he was not tried by a court of competent jurisdiction such that he was denied due process under the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The State responds that Brown is trying to present an issue of venue under the guise of a jurisdictional question. A challenge to venue was capable of being raised on direct appeal and is now procedurally barred. Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-21(1). ¶ 7. Notwithstanding the bar, the issue is without merit. Brown attempts to raise a venue claim under the guise of a jurisdictional issue. Jurisdiction continues to lie in the county where the offense was committed. Miss.Code Ann. § 99-11-3 (1994 & Supp.1999). This Court has previously upheld a transfer of venue made only for purposes of selecting a fair and impartial jury. De La Beckwith v. State, 707 So.2d 547, 598 (Miss.1997). In that case, the offense was alleged to have been committed in Hinds County but venue was transferred to Panola County for the purpose of selecting a jury only. Although the order transferring venue specified that the trial would be held in DeSoto County, the circuit court judge later determined that the trial should be held in Hinds County. The trial judge determined DeSoto County lacked adequate facilities and personnel to sequester a jury. In similar fashion, the circuit court here determined that the trial should be held in Adams County for reasons of practicality. Miss.Code Ann. § 99-15-35 (1994) allows a transfer of venue to a convenient county and such an act is within the considerable discretion of the trial judge. Id. This issue is without merit.