Bill > HB852

This bill amends Section 9-11-9 of the Mississippi Code to increase the jurisdictional limit of justice courts from $3,500 to $5,000. Justice courts are lower-level local courts that handle smaller civil claims and minor legal matters. The proposed change means that justice court judges can now hear and decide cases involving debts, damages, or personal property claims up to $5,000 in value, an increase from the previous $3,500 limit. This expansion of jurisdiction could potentially reduce the burden on higher courts by allowing more cases to be resolved at the justice court level. The bill also reaffirms an existing provision that justice court judges must not have a personal financial interest in the outcome of any case they are hearing. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving courts and legal professionals time to prepare for the new jurisdictional threshold.

Justice

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0852.xml