MS HB1473

Amends Section 9-23-15 of Mississippi Code to establish eligibility criteria for drug court participation, requiring participants to have no prior felony convictions for crimes of violence and no pending criminal proceedings for crimes of violence.

Prohibits individuals currently charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling or DUI charges that resulted in death from participating in drug court.

Bars individuals charged with distribution, sale, production, manufacture, or cultivation of controlled substances, and those with prior convictions for such offenses, from drug court participation.

Authorizes drug courts to require chemical testing of participants, with participants liable for test costs unless the judge waives fees when testing is available from other sources or the program itself.

Effective date: July 1, 2010.