Bill Text: MS HB666 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Public defenders; increase compensation for court appointed.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2024-03-05 - Died In Committee [HB666 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2024-HB666-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Judiciary B; Appropriations A
By: Representative Harness
House Bill 666
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-15-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE COMPENSATION PAID TO A JUDGE APPOINTED COUNSEL FOR 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. 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 * * * Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00) 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 Two
Hundred Dollars ($200.00) 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 * * * Six Thousand
Dollars ($6,000.00) 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 * * *One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00)
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.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.
