MS SB2803

Law enforcement officers must issue citations instead of making arrests for nonviolent misdemeanor offenses, releasing the person at the scene after obtaining their written or electronic commitment to appear in court

Arrests remain permitted for violent misdemeanors, which include offenses involving physical force or threats, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, protection order violations, or deadly weapons

Officers may still arrest for nonviolent misdemeanors when the person refuses identification or provides false information, has an outstanding warrant, is on supervised release for a felony, or is dangerously intoxicated

The law supersedes any local ordinances or policies that authorize or require arrests for misdemeanors, while preserving officers' authority to conduct lawful investigations and temporary detentions

Effective date is July 1, 2026, with conforming amendments to Mississippi Code sections 99-3-3 and 99-3-7 governing arrest authority