Bill Text: MS HB1089 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Indigent counsel; increase compensation for.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2024-04-02 - Died In Committee [HB1089 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2024-HB1089-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Judiciary B
By: Representative Horan
House Bill 1089
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-15-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE COMPENSATION FOR COUNSEL APPOINTED TO INDIGENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 99-15-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
99-15-17. (1) The
compensation for counsel for indigents appointed as provided in Section 99-15-15,
shall be approved and allowed by the appropriate judge and in any one (1) case
may not exceed * * * Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00)
for representation in circuit court whether on appeal or originating in said
court. Provided, however, if said case is not appealed to or does not
originate in a court of record, the maximum compensation shall not exceed * * * One Thousand Dollars
($1,000.00) for any one (1) case, the amount of such compensation to be
approved by a judge of the chancery court, county court or circuit court in the
county where the case arises. Provided, however, in a capital case two (2)
attorneys may be appointed, and the compensation may not exceed * * * Ten Thousand
Dollars ($10,000.00) per case. If the case is appealed to the state
supreme court by counsel appointed by the judge, the allowable fee for services
on appeal shall not exceed * * * Five Thousand
Dollars ($5,000.00) per case. In addition, the judge shall allow reimbursement
of actual expenses. The attorney or attorneys so appointed shall itemize the
time spent in defending said indigents together with an itemized statement of
expenses of such defense, and shall present same to the appropriate judge. The
fees and expenses as allowed by the appropriate judge shall be paid by the
county treasurer out of the general fund of the county in which the prosecution
was commenced.
(2) The provisions of this section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2027.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.
