Senate Bill 2920

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-201, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION TO APPROVE ANNUAL JUVENILE JUSTICE TRAINING FOR ATTORNEYS WHO REPRESENT DELINQUENT CHILDREN; TO REMOVE THE MISSISSIPPI BAR ASSOCIATION FROM THE DUTY OF SUCH APPROVAL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 43-21-201, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

43-21-201. (1) Each party shall have the right to be represented by counsel at all stages of the proceedings including, but not limited to, detention, adjudicatory and disposition hearings and parole or probation revocation proceedings. If the party is a child, the child shall be represented by counsel at all critical stages. If indigent, the child shall have the right to have counsel appointed * * * by the youth court.

(2) When a party first appears before the youth court, the judge shall ascertain whether the party is represented by counsel and, if not, inform the party of the party's rights including the right to counsel.

(3) An attorney appointed to represent a delinquent child shall be required to complete annual juvenile justice training that is approved by the Mississippi Judicial College or the Mississippi Commission on Continuing Legal Education. The Mississippi Judicial College and the Mississippi Commission on Continuing Legal Education shall determine the amount of juvenile justice training and continuing education required to fulfill the requirements of this subsection. The Administrative Office of Courts shall maintain a roll of attorneys who have complied with the training requirements and shall enforce the provisions of this subsection. Should an attorney fail to complete the annual training requirement or fail to attend the required training within six (6) months of being appointed to a youth court case, the attorney shall be disqualified to serve and the youth court shall immediately terminate the representation and appoint another attorney. Attorneys appointed by a youth court to five (5) or fewer cases a year are exempt from the requirements of this subsection.

(4) An attorney shall enter his an appearance on behalf of a party in the proceeding by filing a written notice of appearance with the youth court, by filing a pleading, notice or motion signed by counsel or by appearing in open court and advising the youth court that the attorney is representing a party. After counsel has entered an appearance, the attorney shall be served with copies of all subsequent pleadings, motions and notices required to be served on the party * * * represented. An attorney who has entered an appearance shall not be permitted to withdraw from the case until a timely appeal if any has been decided, except by leave of the court then exercising jurisdiction of the cause after notice of the intended withdrawal is served * * * on the party * * * represented.

(5) Each designee appointed by a youth court judge shall be subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct and shall govern himself or herself accordingly.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.