MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representative Watson

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-11-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT JURISDICTION OF A CRIME COMMITTED IN A MUNICIPALITY WHOSE CORPORATE BOUNDARIES INCLUDE PORTIONS OF MORE THAN ONE COUNTY MAY BE IN ANY COUNTY WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE MUNICIPALITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 99-11-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

99-11-3. (1) The local jurisdiction of all offenses, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be in the county where committed except in a municipality whose corporate limits include portions of more than one (1) county, in which case jurisdiction may be in any county within the corporate limits of the municipality.

But, if on the trial the evidence makes it doubtful in which of several counties, including that in which the indictment or affidavit alleges the offense was committed, such doubt shall not avail to procure the acquittal of the defendant.

(2) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to indictments returned by a state grand jury. The venue of trials for indictments returned by a state grand jury shall be as provided by the State Grand Jury Act. This subsection shall stand repealed from and after July 1, 2002.

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