MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2019 Regular Session

To: Judiciary, Division B

By: Senator(s) Jackson (11th)

Senate Bill 2181

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-3-28, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE A PROBABLE CAUSE HEARING BEFORE AN ARREST WARRANT MAY BE ISSUED FOR A LEGISLATOR; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 99-3-28, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     99-3-28.  (1)  (a)  Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the following listed persons are entitled to a probable cause hearing in circuit court before an arrest warrant shall be issued against * * * any the person for a criminal act, whether misdemeanor or felony, that is alleged to have occurred while the person was engaged in the performance of official duties:

(i)  A teacher who is a licensed public school employee as defined in Section 37-9-1 * * *,;

(ii)  A certified jail officer as defined in Section 45-4-9 * * *,;

(iii)  A counselor at an adolescent opportunity program created under Section 43-27-201 et seq. * * *, or;

(iv)  A sworn law enforcement officer * * * within this state as defined in Section 45-6-3 * * * for a criminal act, whether misdemeanor or felony, which is alleged to have occurred while the teacher, jail officer, counselor at an adolescent opportunity program or law enforcement officer was in the performance of official duties, a probable cause hearing shall be held before a circuit court judge.; or

(v)  A member of the Mississippi Legislature.

     The purpose of the hearing shall be to determine if adequate probable cause exists for the issuance of a warrant.  All parties testifying in these proceedings shall do so under oath.  The accused shall have the right to enter an appearance at the hearing, represented by legal counsel at his own expense, and to hear the accusations and evidence against him; he may present evidence or testify in his own behalf.

          (b)  The authority receiving any such charge or complaint against a teacher, jail officer, counselor at an adolescent offender program * * * or, law enforcement officer or legislator shall immediately present same to the county prosecuting attorney having jurisdiction who shall immediately present the charge or complaint to a circuit judge in the judicial district where the action arose for disposition pursuant to this section.

     (2)  Nothing in this section shall prohibit the issuance of an arrest warrant by a circuit court judge upon presentation of probable cause, without the holding of a probable cause hearing, if adequate evidence is presented to satisfy the court that there is a significant risk that the accused will flee the court's jurisdiction or that the accused poses a threat to the safety or well-being of the public.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019.

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