Opinion ID: 1772238
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: does the mtca violate plaintiff's right to a jury trial?

Text: ¶ 37. Mississippi Tort Claims Act cases are tried without a jury. Miss.Code Ann. § 11-46-13(1). Donaldson alleges that the MTCA denies his right to a jury trial provided by the state constitution, which provides in part: [that] the right to trial by jury shall remain inviolate. Miss. Const. art. 3, § 31. ¶ 38. Because Donaldson failed to raise this issue with the trial court or to give notice to the Attorney General, this issue is procedurally barred. When the constitutionality of a statute is challenged notice must be given to the Attorney General. Miss. R. Civ. P. 24(d); M.R.A.P. 44(a). See also Barnes v. Singing River Hosp. Sys., 733 So.2d 199, 202-03 (Miss.1999). Further, except in unusual circumstances, this Court should not consider any matter which has not first been presented to and decided by the trial court. Id. at 202. The law is well settled that the constitutionality of a statute will not be considered unless the point is specifically pled. Id. The failure to raise the issue at trial and to notify the Attorney General renders the issue procedurally barred.