MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: County Affairs; Municipalities

By: Representatives Banks, Evans

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ANY COUNTY AND THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF ANY MUNICIPALITY TO IMPOSE A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT IN CRIMINAL CASES; TO PROVIDE THAT MONIES DERIVED FROM SUCH ASSESSMENT SHALL BE EXPENDED TO FUND PROGRAMS TO REWARD PERSONS WHO PROVIDE INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF CRIMINAL VIOLATORS AND FOR CRIME PREVENTION AND REDUCTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The board of supervisors of any county, in its discretion, by resolution duly adopted and entered on its minutes, may impose a special assessment in the amount of Two Dollars ($2.00), in addition to all other fines, costs and penalties, upon each defendant in a criminal case convicted in the justice court, county court or circuit court. The clerk of the court shall collect such assessment in the same manner as fines, costs and other charges are collected, and shall forward the monies derived from such assessment to the chancery clerk for deposit into a special fund in the county treasury. Monies in the special fund may be expended, upon approval and appropriation thereof by the board of supervisors, to fund programs to reward persons who provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of criminal violators and for crime prevention and reduction.

SECTION 2. The governing authorities of any municipality, in their discretion, by resolution duly adopted and entered on their minutes, may impose a special assessment in the amount of Two Dollars ($2.00), in addition to all other fines, costs and penalties, upon each defendant in a criminal case convicted in the municipal court. The clerk of the court shall collect such assessment in the same manner as fines, costs and other charges are collected, and shall forward the monies derived from such assessment to the municipal clerk for deposit into a special fund in the municipal treasury. Monies in the special fund may be expended, upon approval and appropriation thereof by the governing authorities of the municipality, to fund programs to reward persons who provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of criminal violators and for crime prevention and reduction.

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