MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Judiciary B
By: Representative Horan
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-15-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE COMPENSATION FOR COUNSEL APPOINTED TO INDIGENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 99-15-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
99-15-17. (1) The
compensation for counsel for indigents appointed as provided in Section 99-15-15,
shall be approved and allowed by the appropriate judge and in any one (1) case
may not exceed * * * Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00)
for representation in circuit court whether on appeal or originating in said
court. Provided, however, if said case is not appealed to or does not
originate in a court of record, the maximum compensation shall not exceed * * * One Thousand
Dollars ($1,000.00) for any one (1) case, the amount of such compensation
to be approved by a judge of the chancery court, county court or circuit court
in the county where the case arises. Provided, however, in a capital case two
(2) attorneys may be appointed, and the compensation may not exceed * * * Ten
Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) per case. If the case is appealed to the
state supreme court by counsel appointed by the judge, the allowable fee for
services on appeal shall not exceed * * * Five
Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) per case. In addition, the judge shall allow
reimbursement of actual expenses. The attorney or attorneys so appointed shall
itemize the time spent in defending said indigents together with an itemized
statement of expenses of such defense, and shall present same to the
appropriate judge. The fees and expenses as allowed by the appropriate judge
shall be paid by the county treasurer out of the general fund of the county in
which the prosecution was commenced.
(2) The provisions of this section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2028.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.