Mississippi House Bill HB899

Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/23
• Refer: 1/16/23
• Failed: 1/31/23

Caption

Mississippi Center for Legal Services; require $15.00 collected from criminal and civil actions to be remitted to.

Impact

Upon enactment, HB 899 is expected to bolster funding for legal services aimed at low-income individuals, thereby addressing a significant gap in accessible legal aid. Funds collected will be allocated based on the percentage of the poverty population in the service areas of eligible organizations. This financial support could lead to an increase in the number of individuals who receive civil legal representation, positively affecting low-income communities across Mississippi.

Summary

House Bill 899 proposes amendments to Section 9-21-43 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, mandating that each circuit and chancery court remit $15 from all collected funds in criminal and civil actions to the newly established Civil Legal Assistance Fund. This fund is designed to support and allocate resources specifically to organizations that provide legal services for low-income residents in Mississippi. The bill aims to enhance access to legal assistance for marginalized populations who may otherwise be unable to afford necessary legal services, thus promoting equity within the justice system.

Contention

One potential area of contention with HB 899 may stem from funding allocation procedures and the reliance on fees collected through court actions. Critics might argue that imposing a fee could disproportionately affect those already facing financial hardships due to involvement in legal actions. Furthermore, there could be discussions regarding the limitations of how the fund's resources are to be employed, particularly the stipulation that funds cannot be spent on matters prohibited by the Legal Services Corporation. Ensuring that the legal services provided are equitably distributed among those in need could spur debates among stakeholders, including legal aid organizations and funding bodies.