MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Judiciary

By: Senator(s) Farris, Ross

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI BAR TO DEVELOP A LIST OF ATTORNEYS FOR DEATH PENALTY CASES AND TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR COMPENSATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. (1) The Mississippi Bar shall develop a list of attorneys who are experienced in representing death penalty defendants.

(2) The circuit judges are encouraged to appoint an attorney from this list to serve as one (1) of the two (2) attorneys to which indigent death penalty defendants are entitled. The appointed attorneys shall be paid an hourly rate based on the pay received by district attorneys which shall be Forty-five Dollars and Fifty Cents ($45.50) per hour.

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