MS HB834

Increases authorized legal assistants in 17 circuit court districts effective January 1, 2023, with examples including First Circuit District from 9 to 10, Second from 10 to 11, and Seventh from 11 to 12 legal assistants.

Provides Seventh Circuit District with 14 legal assistants temporarily from July 1, 2023 through July 1, 2025.

Adds Twenty-third Circuit Court District to the legal assistants authorization structure with 5 base legal assistants plus 2 additional legal assistants if funded.

Modifies criminal investigator allocations by adding Third Circuit to districts allowed two full-time criminal investigators and adding Twenty-first and Twenty-third Circuits to those allowed additional investigators.

Authorizes Seventh Circuit District to appoint four total full-time criminal investigators (one additional beyond the three previously allowed).