House Bill 999

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 13-5-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXEMPT ELECTED OFFICIALS OF THE LEGISLATURE AND THEIR SPOUSES FROM JURY DUTY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 13-5-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

13-5-25. (1) (a) Every citizen over sixty-five (65) years of age, and everyone who has served as a grand juror or as a petit juror in the trial of a litigated case within two (2) years, shall be exempt from service if the juror claims the privilege. No qualified juror shall be excluded because of any such reasons, but the same shall be a personal privilege to be claimed by any person selected for jury duty. Any citizen over sixty-five (65) years of age may claim this personal privilege outside of open court by providing the clerk of court with information that allows the clerk to determine the validity of the claim.

(b) Every elected member of the Mississippi House of Representatives and every elected member of the Senate, and his or her spouse shall be exempt from service if the juror claims the privilege. Any elected member of the Mississippi House of Representatives and/or the Senate or his or her spouse, as applicable, may claim this personal privilege outside of open court by providing the clerk of court with information that allows the clerk to determine the validity of the claim.

(2) Provided, however, that no person who has served as a grand juror or as a petit juror in a trial of a litigated case in one (1) court may claim the exemption in any other court where the juror may be called to serve.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.