House Bill 372

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-19-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT FINES REGARDING FAILURE TO HAVE AN INSURANCE CARD IN A MOTOR VEHICLE SHALL NOT BE SUSPENDED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 99-19-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

99-19-25. The circuit courts and the county courts, in misdemeanor cases, are hereby authorized to suspend a sentence and to suspend the execution of a sentence, or any part thereof, on such terms as may be imposed by the judge of the court. Provided, the suspension of imposition or execution of a sentence hereunder may not be revoked after a period of five (5) years. However, the circuit courts and the county courts shall not suspend any fine in cases arising under Section 63-15-4, but the court shall be bound by the provisions of Section 63-15-4(4) and (5).

The justice courts, in misdemeanor cases, are hereby authorized to suspend sentence and to suspend the execution of a sentence, or any part thereof, on such terms as may be imposed by the judge of the court. Subsequent to original sentencing, the justice courts, in misdemeanor cases, are hereby authorized to suspend sentence and to suspend execution of a sentence, or any part thereof, on such terms as may be imposed by the judge of the court, if (a) the judge or his or her predecessor was authorized to order such suspension when the sentence was originally imposed; and (b) such conviction (i) has not been appealed; or (ii) has been appealed and the appeal has been voluntarily dismissed. Provided, the suspension of imposition or execution of a sentence hereunder may not be revoked after a period of two (2) years. Provided, however, the justice courts in cases arising under Sections 49-7-81, 49-7-95, 63-15-4 and the Implied Consent Law shall not suspend any fine.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2011.