MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2002 Regular Session

To: Local and Private Legislation

By: Representative Holloway, Weathersby, Barnett (92nd), Brown, Fleming, Gibbs, Hudson, Thomas, Whittington

House Bill 1710

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF COPIAH COUNTY AND THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE MUNICIPALITIES OF HAZLEHURST AND CRYSTAL SPRINGS TO PAY ONE DOLLAR PER CASE FROM THE PROCEEDS OF COURT COSTS OR FINES IMPOSED IN MISDEMEANOR CASES, WHICH SHALL BE USED TO FUND COPIAH REWARDS CRIME STOPPERS, INC.; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  (1)  The Board of Supervisors of Copiah County, Mississippi, and the governing authorities of the municipalities of Hazlehurst and Crystal Springs are hereby authorized and empowered, in their discretion, by resolution duly adopted and entered on their respective minutes, to pay from the proceeds of court costs or fines imposed an amount not to exceed One Dollar ($1.00) per case for each misdemeanor filed in justice and municipal courts.

     (2)  The amounts paid pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall be paid monthly by the governing authorities to Copiah Rewards Crime Stoppers, Inc., for use in procuring information which will lead to the capture of persons committing crimes and in support of good law enforcement.

     (3)  The provisions of this section do not authorize the board of supervisors or the governing authorities of the municipalities to levy an additional assessment or court cost on any misdemeanor case processed through the justice courts of the county or the municipal courts of the municipalities.

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