Opinion ID: 1757822
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: whether the chancery court lacks authority to prohibit an autopsy upon transfer of the matter from the circuit court which has statutory jurisdiction to hear the matter.

Text: ¶ 2. Although both parties address this issue as a question of jurisdiction, Judge Ross's Order Denying Temporary Restraining Order and Other Relief does not state that the chancery court lacked jurisdiction over the case. Instead, Judge Ross made findings of fact relating to the necessity of an autopsy in the case and concluded that this Court lacks the authority to issue the relief requested by Petitioner Derek D. Hopson. We find that the chancery court denied the requested relief on the merits and not based upon a lack of subject matter jurisdiction. However, because both parties address the issue of jurisdiction in their briefs, a brief discussion of proper jurisdiction in this case is warranted. ¶ 3. The circuit court holds jurisdiction over family members' petitions from the county medical examiner's decision to perform an autopsy. Miss.Code Ann. § 41-61-65(3) (1993). The chancery court in addition to the full jurisdiction in all the matters and cases expressly conferred upon it by the constitution shall have jurisdiction of all cases transferred to it by the circuit court or remanded to it by the supreme court; and such further jurisdiction, as is, in this chapter or elsewhere, provided by law. Miss.Code Ann. § 9-5-81 (1991). In interpreting this statute, we have held that once the circuit court transfers a case to the chancery court or vice versa, the court to which it is transferred should and must proceed with the case. Ainsworth v. Blakeney, 227 Miss. 544, 546, 86 So.2d 501, 502 (1956) ( citing Craig v. Woods, 190 Miss. 258, 199 So. 772 (1941)). This rule applies even when the transfer is erroneous. Id. Based upon these authorities, although the circuit court had original jurisdiction over Hopson's petition, the chancery court gained jurisdiction upon transfer from the circuit court.