House Bill 659

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-5-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A PUBLIC RECORD SHALL BE MAINTAINED OF CASH BAIL BONDS POSTED; TO REQUIRE THAT THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE SHALL BE NOTIFIED IF MORE THAN $10,000.00 IS POSTED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 99-5-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

99-5-9. In addition to any type of bail allowed by statute, any committing court, in its discretion, may allow any defendant, to whom bail is allowable, to deposit cash as bail bond in lieu of a surety or property bail bond, by depositing such cash sum as the court may direct with the sheriff or officer having custody of defendant, who shall receipt therefor and who shall forthwith deliver the said monies to the county treasurer, who shall receipt therefor in duplicate. The sheriff, or other officer, upon receipt of the county treasurer, shall forthwith deliver one copy of such receipt to the committing court who shall then order the release of such defendant.

The order of the court shall set forth the conditions upon which such cash bond is allowed and shall be determined to be the agreement upon which the bailee has agreed.

The sums received by the county treasurer shall be deposited by him in a special fund to be known as "Cash Bail Fund," and shall be received by him subject to the terms and conditions of the order of the court.

A public record shall be maintained of all cash bail bonds posted. If more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) is posted, the Internal Revenue Service shall be notified.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2002.