MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Juvenile Justice

By: Representative Simpson

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-23-55, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE SENIOR COUNTY COURT JUDGE TO ASSIGN FAMILY COURT CASES TO COUNTY COURT JUDGES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 43-23-55, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

43-23-55. The establishment of a family court in any county which now has or hereafter establishes a county court shall, by operation of law, divest such county court of the jurisdiction now conferred upon it by the Youth Court Law, being Sections 43-21-101 through 43-21-651, and all cases, orders, or decrees then pending before such county court, by virtue of its jurisdiction as a youth court, shall, by operation of law, be transferred to the family court. Provided, however, the senior county judge in any county having both a county court and a family court may, upon request of the judge or judges of the family court, assign one (1) of the county judges of the county to hear cases in the family court for periods of time not greater than two (2) weeks per month. The county judge so assigned shall have all powers possessed by a family court judge while sitting as a family court judge.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.