Signed by Governor Tate Reeves

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a court system of unelected judges and prosecutors for the predominantly black city of Jackson, Mississippi.

Highlights:

• Establishes 2 inferior courts for the Capitol Complex Improvement District (Sec 1). 

• Requires all Capitol Complex Improvement District inferior court judges hold all the necessary qualifications by law for circuit and chancery court judges (Sec 2).

• Requires all Capitol Complex Improvement District inferior court judges to be a qualified elector of Mississippi (Sec 2). 

• Requires all Capitol Complex Improvement District inferior court judges be appointed by the Chief Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court for four year terms (Sec 2). 

• Prohibits those appointed as Capitol Complex Improvement District inferior court judges from practicing law in any of the state courts (Sec 2). 

• Requires the office attorney general to appoint 4 attorneys to serve as prosecutors for these courts (Sec 3). 

• Requires that the State Defender of the Office of State Public Defender appoint 4 public defenders to work as needed in these courts (Sec 3).

• Specifies that the two new courts will have jurisdiction over criminal and civil matters occurring in the boundaries of the Capitol Complex Improvement District (Sec 5).

• Requires the clerk of the clerk’s deputy attend all sessions of court to ensure the The Capitol Complex Improvement District inferior courts are courts of records (Sec 8). 

• Requires the Capitol Police Chief to be the executive officer of the courts and take on all the responsibilities of such a position (Sec 8): 

• They or their deputy must attend all court sessions; and 

• They must serve all processes and execute all writes as given by the courts. 

• Requires The Department of Public Safety to provide all police officers patrolling the Capitol Complex Improvement District with body-worn cameras that shall be worn on the uniforms of the officers (Sec 10). 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a court system of unelected judges and prosecutors for the predominantly black city of Jackson, Mississippi.

Highlights:

• Establishes 2 inferior courts for the Capitol Complex Improvement District (Sec 1). 

• Requires all Capitol Complex Improvement District inferior court judges hold all the necessary qualifications by law for circuit and chancery court judges (Sec 2).

• Requires all Capitol Complex Improvement District inferior court judges to be a qualified elector of Mississippi (Sec 2). 

• Requires all Capitol Complex Improvement District inferior court judges be appointed by the Chief Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court for four year terms (Sec 2). 

• Prohibits those appointed as Capitol Complex Improvement District inferior court judges from practicing law in any of the state courts (Sec 2). 

• Requires the office attorney general to appoint 4 attorneys to serve as prosecutors for these courts (Sec 3). 

• Requires that the State Defender of the Office of State Public Defender appoint 4 public defenders to work as needed in these courts (Sec 3).

• Specifies that the two new courts will have jurisdiction over criminal and civil matters occurring in the boundaries of the Capitol Complex Improvement District (Sec 5).

• Requires the clerk of the clerk’s deputy attend all sessions of court to ensure the The Capitol Complex Improvement District inferior courts are courts of records (Sec 8). 

• Requires the Capitol Police Chief to be the executive officer of the courts and take on all the responsibilities of such a position (Sec 8): 

• They or their deputy must attend all court sessions; and 

• They must serve all processes and execute all writes as given by the courts. 

• Requires The Department of Public Safety to provide all police officers patrolling the Capitol Complex Improvement District with body-worn cameras that shall be worn on the uniforms of the officers (Sec 10). 

Full Bill Text