MS HB556

Requires law enforcement officers to arrest persons with or without a warrant when they have probable cause that a person committed domestic violence or violated a protection order within the preceding 24 hours.

Establishes "principal aggressor" standard requiring officers to determine which party poses the greatest threat when multiple persons are involved in domestic violence, with a presumption against arresting non-aggressors.

Creates criminal protection orders issued upon conviction for domestic violence offenses, with clerks required to enter orders in the Mississippi Protection Order Registry within 24 hours and violations prosecuted as misdemeanors.

Expands the Mississippi Protection Order Registry to include both civil and criminal protection orders, with automatic transmission of qualifying orders to the National Criminal Information Center Protection Order File.

Establishes sentencing enhancements for repeat domestic violence offenses: simple domestic violence third as felony (5-10 years), aggravated domestic violence third (10-20 years), and fourth or subsequent offense (15-20 years).