Senate Bill 2771 Summary

• Brings forward Mississippi Code sections establishing 23 circuit court districts and 20 chancery court districts with specified county compositions and judge allocations.

• Authorizes specific numbers of judges for each district, ranging from 2-4 circuit judges and 2-4 chancellors, with residency requirements and subdistrict divisions for larger districts.

• Establishes authorized numbers of full-time legal assistants per circuit court district, ranging from 2-14 assistants, with additional positions available if funded by Legislature or county boards of supervisors.

• Authorizes criminal investigators for district attorneys, with most districts allowed 1-2 investigators and larger districts (First, Second, Third, Fourth, Seventh, Nineteenth, and Twenty-third) permitted 3-4 investigators.

• Includes a delayed effective date provision for Third Chancery Court District increasing from 3 to 4 chancellors on January 1, 2027, and a temporary increase in Seventh Circuit legal assistants from 12 to 14 through July 1, 2025.