Mississippi House Bill HB453

Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/12/23
• Refer: 1/12/23
• Failed: 1/31/23

Caption

Nonpayment of fees and fines; repeal sections that prohibit incarceration for.

Impact

The repeal of these sections could significantly alter the consequences individuals face when they do not pay certain fines and fees. By removing provisions that allow for alternatives to imprisonment, the bill may lead to increased incarceration rates among individuals unable to fulfill financial obligations. This change raises concerns over the potential for exacerbating issues related to criminal justice reform and the impact on low-income populations who may struggle to pay fines.

Summary

House Bill 453 aims to repeal specific sections of the Mississippi Code that currently provide alternatives to incarceration for individuals who fail to pay fees and fines. Specifically, the bill seeks to revoke Sections 99-19-20 and 99-19-20.1, which offer options such as non-incarceration for nonpayment and prohibit automatic incarceration following a failure to pay fines. This legislative action is intended to address the handling of nonpayment cases in the criminal justice system.

Contention

The legislative discussions surrounding HB 453 are likely to evoke contention regarding civil rights and criminal justice policy. Advocates for justice reform argue that the repeal may disproportionately affect marginalized groups and undermine rehabilitation efforts. Critics express concern that the bill fails to consider the socioeconomic factors contributing to nonpayment and could lead to a cycle of incarceration for those unable to pay, thereby increasing the burden on the judicial system and corrections.