MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representative Ford

AN ACT TO REENACT SECTION 99-15-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL FOR INDIGENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 20 OF CHAPTER 575, LAWS OF 1998, TO EXTEND THE REPEALER ON THE APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL FOR INDIGENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 99-15-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is reenacted as follows:

99-15-15. When any person shall be charged with a felony, misdemeanor punishable by confinement for ninety (90) days or more, or commission of an act of delinquency, the court or the judge in vacation, being satisfied that such person is an indigent person and is unable to employ counsel, may, in the discretion of the court, appoint counsel to defend him.

Such appointed counsel shall have free access to the accused who shall have process to compel the attendance of witnesses in his favor.

The accused shall have such representation available at every critical stage of the proceeding against him where a substantial right may be affected.

SECTION 2. Section 20 of Chapter 575, Laws of 1998, is amended as follows:

Section 20. Section 99-15-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, which deals with the appointment of counsel for indigents, is repealed from and after July 1, 2000.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.