Senate Bill 2482

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-19-43, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE JUDGE TO EXPLAIN TO EVERY PERSON CONVICTED OF A FELONY WHETHER HE REMAINS A QUALIFIED ELECTOR UPON SENTENCING; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 99-19-43, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

99-19-43. (1) It shall be the duty of the judge, when any convict is sentenced to imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections, to commit the convict to the nearest jail which may be deemed safe, and by the next mail date after the sentence, to give notice to the Commissioner of Corrections that such convict is confined, subject to his order, in a certain county jail, and to inform him whether, in his opinion, he is a dangerous criminal, and whether more than ordinary precautions will be necessary in guarding him.

(2) (a) It shall be the duty of the judge, when any convict is sentenced for any crime for which a person is disqualified to vote under Section 241 of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890, to explain in open court to the convict that the convict is disqualified as an elector by the subject conviction. When any convict is sentenced for any felony for which a person is not disqualified as an elector under Section 241 of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890, the judge shall explain in open court to the convict that the convict is qualified as an elector despite the subject conviction.

(b) The matters contained in paragraph (a) of subsection (2) shall be noted by the judge in the relevant sentencing order and shall be spread upon the minutes of the court.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.