Senate Bill 2500

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-5-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE PROVISION REGARDING PERSONS TAKING INSUFFICIENT BAIL BONDS OR NEGLECTING TO TAKE BAIL BONDS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 99-5-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

99-5-19. If any person, except a properly authorized judge authorized to release a criminal defendant, neglects to take a bail bond, or if the bail bond from any cause is insufficient at the time he took and approved the same, on exceptions taken and filed before the close of the next term, after the same should have been returned, and upon reasonable notice thereof to the person, he shall stand as special bail, and judgment shall be rendered against him as such, except when bond is tendered by a fidelity or insurance company or professional bail agent or its bail agent authorized by Mississippi state license to act as bail surety. The person taking and approving a bail bond from a fidelity or insurance company or professional bail agent or its bail agent with a valid Mississippi state license shall bear no financial liability on the bail bond in the event of a bail bond forfeiture or default.

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