MS HB233

Authorizes Mississippi county sheriffs to charge reasonable expenses not to exceed $45.00 for executing each service of process, in addition to existing statutory fees.

Maintains existing fee structure for sheriffs including $35.00 uniform fee for service of process, $1.00 per additional defendant at same household, and various other fees for bonds, attachments, and garnishments.

Requires sheriffs to keep complete itemized accounts of all fees and charges collected, filed monthly under oath with the county clerk for deposit into the county general fund.

Establishes criminal penalties for sheriffs who knowingly fail to collect fees or deposit them properly, including fines up to double the uncollected amount and up to six months county jail time.

Requires submission of the act to the U.S. Attorney General or U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, with effectiveness date contingent upon such approval.