House Bill 1254

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 9-7-81, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE EACH CIRCUIT COURT DISTRICT TO ESTABLISH A DRUG COURT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 9-7-81, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

9-7-81. The circuit court shall have original jurisdiction in all actions when the principal of the amount in controversy exceeds Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), and of all other actions and causes, matters and things arising under the Constitution and laws of this state which are not exclusively cognizable in some other court, and such appellate jurisdiction as prescribed by law. Such court shall have power to hear and determine all prosecutions in the name of the state for treason, felonies, crimes, and misdemeanors, except such as may be exclusively cognizable before some other court; and said court shall have all the powers belonging to a court of oyer and terminer and general jail delivery, and may do and perform all other acts properly pertaining to a circuit court of law. Each circuit court shall establish a drug court in each circuit court district. The senior judge shall assign judges to hear drug cases and shall establish times for the convening of drug court.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.