Bill > HB83

This bill amends Mississippi state law to increase the jurisdiction of justice courts, which are lower-level local courts that handle civil cases involving smaller monetary claims. Currently, justice courts can hear cases involving debts, damages, or personal property claims up to $3,500, but this legislation will raise that limit to $15,000. This means justice courts will now be able to handle civil cases with significantly higher monetary values, potentially reducing the burden on higher-level courts and providing more accessible judicial resolution for local disputes. The change will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving courts and legal professionals time to prepare for the expanded jurisdiction. The bill also reaffirms an existing provision that justice court judges must have no financial interest in the outcome of cases they hear, ensuring judicial impartiality.

Justice

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0083.xml