SB37 Summary

• Presiding judge of a circuit court, in consultation with the district attorney, may voluntarily transfer a municipal court case to district or circuit court if the defendant qualifies for a pretrial diversion program, mental health court, drug court, veteran court, or similar program offered by the county court but not the municipal court.

• A transferred case becomes the exclusive jurisdiction of the district and circuit courts and shall be prosecuted under state law as charged by the municipality.

• Both the municipal court and the defendant retain the right to object to any transfer, and the case cannot be transferred if either party objects.

• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.