MS HB1267

Requires criminal case payments to be allocated in priority order beginning July 1, 2025: restitution first, then court costs, then assessments, then fines and penalties.

Amends Section 99-37-5 to specify that first monies paid in a case must be credited toward restitution owed to victims.

Amends Section 99-37-3 to require courts to consider a defendant's future ability to pay when determining whether to order restitution and the method of payment.

Amends Section 25-7-27 to delete the requirement that uncollected marshal and constable fees be paid from the first proceeds received by the court from the guilty party, removing them from the payment priority order.

Effective date is July 1, 2025.