MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Judiciary

By: Senator(s) Minor

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 83-39-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO FIX THE COMMISSION CHARGED BY BAIL AGENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 83-39-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

83-39-25. (1) A professional bail agent or his agent shall charge and collect for his premium, commission, or fee an amount of ten percent (10%) of the amount of bail per bond posted by him, or Fifty Dollars ($50.00), whichever is greater, except on a bond on a defendant who is charged with a capital offense, or on a defendant who resides outside the State of Mississippi, in which case the premium, commission or fee shall be * * * fifteen percent (15%) of the amount of bail, per bond posted by him, or Fifty Dollars ($50.00), whichever is greater.

(2) A professional bail agent or his agent shall be allowed under this chapter to charge to the defendant no more than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for expenses resulting from a bond of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or less when such bail agent is required to travel outside the county in which he does business.

(3) A professional bail agent or his agent shall also charge an additional Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) processing fee on each bond issued by him.

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