Bill Text: MS HB786 | 2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Jury consultants; prohibit contact with certain jurors.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2017-01-31 - Died In Committee [HB786 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2017-HB786-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Judiciary A
By: Representative Banks
House Bill 786
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT JURY CONSULTANTS FROM CONTACTING POTENTIAL JURORS AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. It shall be unlawful for a jury consultant or any person who is employed by a jury consultant to contact any potential jurors from a list that has been prepared to select a jury in any court in this state. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or both. For the purposes of this section, the term "jury consultant" means a person who assists attorneys in the research and selection of jurors and provides insight into juror behavior during trials.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2017.