MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2024 Regular Session

To: Judiciary A

By: Representative Thompson

House Bill 422

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 9-7-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF JUDGES IN THE FIRST CIRCUIT COURT DISTRICT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 9-7-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE COUNTY COMPOSITION OF THE FIRST CIRCUIT COURT DISTRICT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 9-7-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     9-7-7.  (1)  There shall be * * *four (4) five (5) judges for the First Circuit Court District.

     (2)  The * * *four (4) five (5) judgeships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One," "Place Two," "Place Three" * * *and, "Place Four" and "Place Five".  The judge to fill Place One must reside in Alcorn, Prentiss or Tishomingo County.  The judges to fill Place Two and Place Three must reside in Itawamba, Lee * * *, Monroe or Pontotoc County.  The judge to fill Place Four may be a resident of any county in the district.  The judge to fill Place Five must reside in Monroe County.  Election of the * * *four (4) five (5) judicial offices * * *of judge shall be by election to be held in every county within the First Circuit Court District.

     SECTION 2.  Section 9-7-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

     9-7-5.  The First Circuit Court District is composed of the following counties:

          (a)  Alcorn County;

          (b)  Itawamba County;

          (c)  Lee County;

          (d)  Monroe County;

          (e)  Pontotoc County;

          (f)  Prentiss County; and

          (g)  Tishomingo County.

     SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.