Bill > HB1611

This bill amends Mississippi Code Section 99-5-11 to authorize justice court judges, who are local judicial officials, to set bail for capital offenses, which are the most serious crimes that could potentially carry the death penalty. Previously, justice court judges were only authorized to set bail for offenses that were not capital. The bill also includes provisions regarding the setting of bail, emphasizing that financial conditions should not be used solely to detain a defendant and that bail amounts should be attainable. It outlines procedures for defendants who claim indigence and cannot afford bail, requiring courts to consider their financial situation and the availability of third-party support. The bill also addresses the release of misdemeanor defendants, specifying conditions under which they may be released on their own recognizance or require bail, and mandates checks against domestic abuse protection orders when setting bail in cases involving domestic violence.

Justice

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1611.xml