MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representative Warren (By Request)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 13-5-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE A VENIRE IN CRIMINAL CASES TO BE DRAWN FROM THE ENTIRE COUNTY IN COUNTIES WITH TWO JUDICIAL DISTRICTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. Section 13-5-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

13-5-21. (1) In counties where there are two (2) circuit court districts, the jury commission shall make a list of jurors for each district in the manner directed for a county, and the same shall be treated in all respects as for an entire county. In such counties a juror shall not be required to serve out of his district, except should the court, in its discretion, otherwise direct, and except when drawn on a special venire. In either of such excepted cases, the jury shall be drawn from the two (2) jury boxes if the court so direct, one (1) name for each alternately.

(2) In counties where there are two (2) circuit court districts, the senior judge of the circuit court may order a venire drawn from the entire county for criminal cases.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1998.