MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representative Rogers, Weathersby

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-3-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT ARRESTED INDIVIDUALS SHALL BE PROVIDED A FREE PHONE CALL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

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

99-3-3. Arrests for criminal offenses, and to prevent a breach of the peace, or the commission of a crime, may be made at any time or place. A defendant detained in any jail in the state shall be provided a phone to call an attorney or professional bail agent that the defendant is not required to pay for. Such call shall not be made on a pay phone and shall not be a collect call. The detaining agency shall provide the phone call at the agency's expense.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.