MS HB142

Amends Section 9-9-21 to authorize county courts to exercise jurisdiction over criminal matters assigned to them by a circuit court judge in the district where the county is located.

Modifies Section 9-7-3 to grant circuit court judges the explicit right to assign criminal matters to county courts as provided in Section 9-9-21.

Removes a provision from Section 9-9-35 that prohibited assignment of cases or hearings where counsel on both sides objected.

Requires the Mississippi Attorney General to submit the act to the U.S. Attorney General or U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia for Voting Rights Act compliance.

Takes effect upon approval under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.