MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: County Affairs; Municipalities

By: Representatives Banks, Straughter, Watson, West

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CERTAIN COUNTIES AND THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES TO IMPOSE A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT IN CRIMINAL CASES; TO PROVIDE THAT MONIES DERIVED FROM SUCH ASSESSMENT SHALL BE EXPENDED TO FUND LAW ENFORCEMENT IMPROVEMENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The board of supervisors of any county with a population in excess of two hundred thousand (200,000), in its discretion, by resolution duly adopted and entered on its minutes, may impose a special assessment in the amount of Ten Dollars ($10.00), 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 law enforcement improvements in the county.

SECTION 2. The governing authorities of any municipality with a population in excess of two hundred thousand (200,000), in their discretion, by resolution duly adopted and entered on their minutes, may impose a special assessment in the amount of Ten Dollars ($10.00), 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 law enforcement improvements in the municipality.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.