MS HB523

Reduces First Circuit Court District from seven counties (Alcorn, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tishomingo) to three counties (Alcorn, Prentiss, Tishomingo) effective July 1, 2020.

Reduces judgeships in First Circuit Court District from four to two judges, with existing Place One judge retained if residency requirements are met.

Creates new Twenty-third Circuit Court District composed of Itawamba, Lee, Monroe, and Pontotoc counties with three judges, transferring two existing judges from the First Circuit and creating one new position.

Establishes initial district attorney for Twenty-third Circuit Court District by gubernatorial appointment per Section 23-15-843, with election in November 2020 and taking office January 2021.

Reduces legal assistants for First Circuit from nine to four, adds four legal assistants to new Twenty-third Circuit, and authorizes two additional legal assistants for Twenty-third Circuit if funds are appropriated.

Adds Twenty-third Circuit Court District to list of districts whose district attorneys may appoint one additional full-time criminal investigator for a total of two.