Domestic abuse court program; establish.

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To: Judiciary A;
Appropriations A
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Hines

HOUSE BILL NO. 93

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTIONS 9-23-101, 9-23-103, 9-23-105, 1
9-23-107, 9-23-109, 9-23-111, 9-23-113 AND 9-23-115, MISSISSIPPI 2
CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE AUTHORITY FOR A CHANCERY OR COUNTY COURT 3
TO ESTABLISH A DOMESTIC ABUSE COURT AND TO PROVIDE AUTHORITY FOR 4
JUSTICE AND MUNICIPAL COURTS TO PARTICIPATE IN SUCH A COURT; TO 5
DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ENACTMENT OF STANDARDS OF 6
OPERATION TO GOVERN THE OPERATION OF DOMESTIC ABUSE COURTS BY THE 7
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF COURTS; TO CREATE THE DOMESTIC ABUSE 8
COURT SPECIAL FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 99-19-73, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 9
1972, TO PROVIDE AN ASSESSMENT TO FUND DOMESTIC ABUSE COURTS; TO 10
AMEND SECTIONS 9-5-81 AND 9-9-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO 11
CONFORM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 12
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 13
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds that: 14
(a) Domestic violence is a serious issue that causes 15
substantial damage to victims and children as well as to the 16
community. Families experiencing domestic violence are often 17
involved in more than one (1) court proceeding including divorce 18
and custody cases, civil and criminal proceedings regarding 19
domestic violence, substance abuse and child protection. 20
Substantial state and county resources are required each year for 21
the incarceration, supervision and treatment of batterers. 22
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(b) Domestic abuse courts hold offenders accountable, 23
increase victim safety, provide greater judicial monitoring, and 24
coordinate information to provide effective interaction and use of 25
resources among the courts, justice system personnel and community 26
agencies. Effective case management and coordination ensures that 27
decisions in one (1) case do not conflict with existing orders in 28
other civil and criminal cases and provide courts with the 29
necessary information to protect victims and families. 30
(c) Domestic abuse courts have proven effective in 31
reducing recidivism and increasing victim safety. It is in the 32
best interests of the citizens of this state to authorize the 33
establishment of domestic abuse courts. 34
SECTION 2. The following shall be codified as Section 35
9-23-101, Mississippi Code of 1972: 36
9-23-101. (1) A domestic abuse court is a court focused on 37
the safety of the victim and the accountability of the offender 38
by: 39
(a) Bringing together criminal justice professionals, 40
local social programs and intensive judicial monitoring; 41
(b) Linking victims to programs and services by 42
effective collaboration with social service providers and other 43
stakeholders to refer victims to appropriate and available 44
community services based on risk and need; 45
(c) Linking eligible civil respondents to programs and 46
services by effective collaboration with social service providers 47
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and other stakeholders to refer such individuals to appropriate 48
and available community services based on risk and need; 49
(d) Linking eligible criminal defendants to programs 50
and services by effective collaboration with social service 51
providers and other stakeholders to refer defendants to 52
appropriate and available community services based on risk and 53
need; and 54
(e) Providing centralized monitoring of participants to 55
ensure compliance with any civil domestic abuse protection orders 56
or with any treatment orders or other orders issued by the court. 57
(2) For the purposes of this act, "domestic abuse" and 58
"domestic violence" shall have the meanings ascribed to "abuse" by 59
Section 93-21-3 and to "misdemeanor which is an act of domestic 60
violence" in Section 99-3-7. 61
SECTION 3. The following shall be codified as Section 62
9-23-103, Mississippi Code of 1972: 63
9-23-103. Any chancery or county court may establish a 64
domestic abuse court program. Any municipal or justice court is 65
authorized to participate in a domestic abuse court program 66
established in the county. 67
SECTION 4. The following shall be codified as Section 68
9-23-105, Mississippi Code of 1972: 69
9-23-105. (1) A domestic abuse court and accompanying 70
services of the domestic abuse court shall be available only to 71
individuals over whom the court has established jurisdiction. 72
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(2) A domestic abuse court that does not have felony 73
jurisdiction may assume jurisdiction over an individual convicted 74
of a felony from another court within the county upon entry of an 75
appropriate order by the criminal court referring that individual 76
to the domestic abuse court for the purpose of participation in 77
the domestic abuse court program. 78
SECTION 5. The following shall be codified as Section 79
9-23-107, Mississippi Code of 1972: 80
9-23-107. (1) The Administrative Office of Courts shall 81
develop uniform standards for operation of a domestic abuse court. 82
Any domestic abuse court shall operate pursuant to those 83
standards. Such standards shall, at a minimum, include provisions 84
for: 85
(a) Establishment and coordination of the domestic 86
abuse court; 87
(b) Funding for the domestic abuse court; 88
(c) Procedural matters; 89
(d) Referral protocols; 90
(e) Participant eligibility; 91
(f) Services to be made available to participants 92
referred to the court; and 93
(g) Roles and duties of the court, which shall include, 94
but not be limited to, assessment, referral, case management, 95
supervision and evaluation. 96
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(2) Any court wishing to adopt local rules for the 97
coordination of services and to address court procedures that may 98
vary from those established by the Administrative Office of Courts 99
shall submit those rules to the Administrative Office of Courts 100
for approval prior to implementation. 101
SECTION 6. The following shall be codified as Section 102
9-23-109, Mississippi Code of 1972: 103
9-23-109. A domestic abuse court may hire employees 104
necessary to carry out the functions of the court, including, but 105
not limited to, an administrator, case manager, counselor or 106
clerical staff. 107
SECTION 7. The following shall be codified as Section 108
9-23-111, Mississippi Code of 1972: 109
9-23-111. Nothing herein shall be construed to guarantee any 110
individual the right to participate in a domestic abuse court 111
program. 112
SECTION 8. The following shall be codified as Section 113
9-23-113, Mississippi Code of 1972: 114
9-23-113. (1) All monies received from any source by the 115
domestic abuse court shall be accumulated in a fund to be used 116
only for domestic abuse court purposes. Any funds remaining in 117
this fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into any 118
general fund, but shall be retained in the Domestic Abuse Court 119
Fund for the funding of further activities by the domestic abuse 120
court. 121
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(2) A domestic abuse court may apply for and receive the 122
following: 123
(a) Gifts, bequests and donations from private sources. 124
(b) Grant and contract money from governmental sources. 125
(c) Other forms of financial assistance approved by the 126
court to supplement the budget of the domestic abuse court. 127
SECTION 9. The following shall be codified as Section 128
9-23-115, Mississippi Code of 1972: 129
9-23-115. There is created in the State Treasury a special 130
interest-bearing fund to be known as the Domestic Abuse Court 131
Fund. The purpose of the fund shall be to provide supplemental 132
funding to all domestic abuse courts in the state. Monies from 133
the fund shall be distributed by the State Treasurer upon warrants 134
issued by the Administrative Office of Courts to assist domestic 135
abuse courts. The fund shall be expended by the Administrative 136
Office of Courts upon appropriation by the Legislature, and shall 137
consist of: (a) monies appropriated by the Legislature for the 138
purposes of funding domestic abuse courts; (b) the interest 139
accruing to the fund; (c) monies received under the provisions of 140
Section 99-19-73; (d) monies received from the federal government; 141
and (e) monies received from such other sources as may be provided 142
by law. 143
SECTION 10. Section 99-19-73, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 144
amended as follows: 145
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99-19-73. (1) Traffic violations. In addition to any 146
monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there 147
shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from 148
each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for 149
any violation in Title 63, Mississippi Code of 1972, except 150
offenses relating to the Mississippi Implied Consent Law (Section 151
63-11-1 et seq.) and offenses relating to vehicular parking or 152
registration: 153
FUND AMOUNT 154
State Court Education Fund............................... [Deleted] 155
State Prosecutor Education Fund.......................... [Deleted] 156
Vulnerable Persons Training, 157
Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund............ [Deleted] 158
Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund..................... [Deleted] 159
Driver Training Penalty Assessment Fund.................. [Deleted] 160
Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund................... [Deleted] 161
Spinal Cord and Head Injury Trust Fund 162
(for all moving violations)......................... [Deleted] 163
Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund................ [Deleted] 164
Mississippi Leadership Council on Aging Fund............. [Deleted] 165
Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters 166
Death Benefits Trust Fund........................... [Deleted] 167
Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters 168
Disability Benefits Trust Fund...................... [Deleted] 169
State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose 170
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of providing additional compensation for 171
district attorneys and their legal assistants....... [Deleted] 172
Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund................... [Deleted] 173
Intervention Court Fund.................................. [Deleted] 174
Judicial Performance Fund................................ [Deleted] 175
Capital Defense Counsel Fund............................. [Deleted] 176
Indigent Appeals Fund.................................... [Deleted] 177
Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund..................... [Deleted] 178
Victims of Domestic Violence Fund........................ [Deleted] 179
Public Defenders Education Fund.......................... [Deleted] 180
Domestic Violence Training Fund.......................... [Deleted] 181
Attorney General's Cyber Crime Unit...................... [Deleted] 182
Children's Safe Center Fund.............................. [Deleted] 183
DuBard School for Language Disorders Fund................ [Deleted] 184
Children's Advocacy Centers Fund......................... [Deleted] 185
Judicial System Operation Fund........................... [Deleted] 186
GENERAL FUND........................................ $ 90.50 187
(2) Implied Consent Law violations. In addition to any 188
monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there 189
shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from 190
each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or any other penalty 191
for any violation of the Mississippi Implied Consent Law (Section 192
63-11-1 et seq.): 193
FUND AMOUNT 194
Crime Victims' Compensation Fund......................... [Deleted] 195
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State Court Education Fund............................... [Deleted] 196
State Prosecutor Education Fund.......................... [Deleted] 197
Vulnerable Persons Training, 198
Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund............ [Deleted] 199
Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund..................... [Deleted] 200
Driver Training Penalty Assessment Fund.................. [Deleted] 201
Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund................... [Deleted] 202
Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund................ [Deleted] 203
Mississippi Alcohol Safety Education Program Fund........ [Deleted] 204
Federal-State Alcohol Program Fund....................... [Deleted] 205
Mississippi Forensics Laboratory 206
Implied Consent Law Fund............................ [Deleted] 207
Spinal Cord and Head Injury Trust Fund................... [Deleted] 208
Capital Defense Counsel Fund............................. [Deleted] 209
Indigent Appeals Fund.................................... [Deleted] 210
Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund..................... [Deleted] 211
Victims of Domestic Violence Fund........................ [Deleted] 212
Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters 213
Death Benefits Trust Fund........................... [Deleted] 214
Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters 215
Disability Benefits Trust Fund...................... [Deleted] 216
State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose 217
of providing additional compensation for 218
district attorneys and their legal assistants....... [Deleted] 219
Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund................... [Deleted] 220
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Intervention Court Fund.................................. [Deleted] 221
Statewide Victims' Information and 222
Notification System Fund............................ [Deleted] 223
Public Defenders Education Fund.......................... [Deleted] 224
Domestic Violence Training Fund.......................... [Deleted] 225
Attorney General's Cyber Crime Unit...................... [Deleted] 226
Domestic Abuse Court Fund..................................$ 1.00 227
General Fund...............................................$243.50 228
* * * TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT....................... $ * * * 244.50 229
(3) Game and Fish Law violations. In addition to any 230
monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there 231
shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from 232
each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for 233
any violation of the game and fish statutes or regulations of this 234
state: 235
FUND AMOUNT 236
State Court Education Fund............................... [Deleted] 237
State Prosecutor Education Fund.......................... [Deleted] 238
Vulnerable Persons Training, 239
Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund............ [Deleted] 240
Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund................... [Deleted] 241
Hunter Education and Training Program Fund............... [Deleted] 242
Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters 243
Death Benefits Trust Fund........................... [Deleted] 244
Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters 245
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Disability Benefits Trust Fund...................... [Deleted] 246
State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose 247
of providing additional compensation for district 248
attorneys and their legal assistants................ [Deleted] 249
Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund................... [Deleted] 250
Intervention Court Fund.................................. [Deleted] 251
Capital Defense Counsel Fund............................. [Deleted] 252
Indigent Appeals Fund.................................... [Deleted] 253
Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund..................... [Deleted] 254
Victims of Domestic Violence Fund........................ [Deleted] 255
Public Defenders Education Fund.......................... [Deleted] 256
Domestic Violence Training Fund.......................... [Deleted] 257
Attorney General's Cyber Crime Unit...................... [Deleted] 258
Domestic Abuse Court Fund..................................$ 1.00 259
General Fund...............................................$ 89.00 260
* * * TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT........................ $ * * * 90.00 261
(4) [Deleted] 262
(5) Speeding, reckless and careless driving violations. In 263
addition to any assessment imposed under subsection (1) or (2) of 264
this section, there shall be imposed and collected the following 265
state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine 266
or other penalty for driving a vehicle on a road or highway: 267
(a) At a speed that exceeds the posted speed limit by 268
at least ten (10) miles per hour but not more than twenty (20) 269
miles per hour.............................................$ 10.00 270
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(b) At a speed that exceeds the posted speed limit by 271
at least twenty (20) miles per hour but not more than thirty (30) 272
miles per hour.............................................$ 20.00 273
(c) At a speed that exceeds the posted speed limit by 274
thirty (30) miles per hour or more.........................$ 30.00 275
(d) In violation of Section 63-3-1201, which is the 276
offense of reckless driving................................$ 10.00 277
(e) In violation of Section 63-3-1213, which is the 278
offense of careless driving................................$ 10.00 279
All assessments collected under this subsection shall be 280
deposited into the State General Fund. 281
(6) Other misdemeanors. In addition to any monetary 282
penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be 283
imposed and collected the following state assessment from each 284
person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any 285
misdemeanor violation not specified in subsection (1), (2) or (3) 286
of this section, except offenses relating to vehicular parking or 287
registration: 288
FUND AMOUNT 289
Crime Victims' Compensation Fund......................... [Deleted] 290
State Court Education Fund............................... [Deleted] 291
State Prosecutor Education Fund.......................... [Deleted] 292
Vulnerable Persons Training, Investigation 293
and Prosecution Trust Fund.......................... [Deleted] 294
Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund..................... [Deleted] 295
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Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund................... [Deleted] 296
Capital Defense Counsel Fund............................. [Deleted] 297
Indigent Appeals Fund.................................... [Deleted] 298
Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund..................... [Deleted] 299
Victims of Domestic Violence Fund........................ [Deleted] 300
State Crime Stoppers Fund................................ [Deleted] 301
Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters 302
Death Benefits Trust Fund........................... [Deleted] 303
Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters 304
Disability Benefits Trust Fund...................... [Deleted] 305
State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose 306
of providing additional compensation for 307
district attorneys and their legal assistants....... [Deleted] 308
Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund................... [Deleted] 309
Intervention Court Fund.................................. [Deleted] 310
Judicial Performance Fund................................ [Deleted] 311
Statewide Victims' Information and 312
Notification System Fund............................ [Deleted] 313
Public Defenders Education Fund.......................... [Deleted] 314
Domestic Violence Training Fund.......................... [Deleted] 315
Attorney General's Cyber Crime Unit...................... [Deleted] 316
Information Exchange Network Fund........................ [Deleted] 317
Motorcycle Officer Training Fund......................... [Deleted] 318
Civil Legal Assistance Fund.............................. [Deleted] 319
Justice Court Collections Fund........................... [Deleted] 320
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Municipal Court Collections Fund......................... [Deleted] 321
Domestic Abuse Court Fund..................................$ 1.00 322
General Fund...............................................$121.75 323
* * * TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT....................... $ * * * 122.75 324
(7) Other felonies. In addition to any monetary penalties 325
and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and 326
collected the following state assessment from each person upon 327
whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any felony 328
violation not specified in subsection (1), (2) or (3) of this 329
section: 330
FUND AMOUNT 331
Crime Victims' Compensation Fund......................... [Deleted] 332
State Court Education Fund............................... [Deleted] 333
State Prosecutor Education Fund.......................... [Deleted] 334
Vulnerable Persons Training, Investigation 335
and Prosecution Trust Fund.......................... [Deleted] 336
Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund..................... [Deleted] 337
Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund................... [Deleted] 338
Capital Defense Counsel Fund............................. [Deleted] 339
Indigent Appeals Fund.................................... [Deleted] 340
Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund..................... [Deleted] 341
Victims of Domestic Violence Fund........................ [Deleted] 342
Criminal Justice Fund.................................... [Deleted] 343
Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters 344
Death Benefits Trust Fund........................... [Deleted] 345
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Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters 346
Disability Benefits Trust Fund...................... [Deleted] 347
State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose 348
of providing additional compensation for 349
district attorneys and their legal assistants....... [Deleted] 350
Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund................... [Deleted] 351
Intervention Court Fund.................................. [Deleted] 352
Statewide Victims' Information and 353
Notification System Fund............................ [Deleted] 354
Public Defenders Education Fund.......................... [Deleted] 355
Domestic Violence Training Fund.......................... [Deleted] 356
Attorney General's Cyber Crime Unit...................... [Deleted] 357
Forensics Laboratory DNA Identification System Fund...... [Deleted] 358
Domestic Abuse Court Fund..................................$ 1.00 359
General Fund...............................................$280.50 360
* * * TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT....................... $ * * * 281.50 361
(8) Additional assessments on certain violations: 362
(a) Railroad crossing violations. In addition to any 363
monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there 364
shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment in 365
addition to all other state assessments due under this section 366
from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty 367
for any violation involving railroad crossings under Section 368
37-41-55, 63-3-1007, 63-3-1009, 63-3-1011, 63-3-1013 or 77-9-249: 369
Operation Lifesaver Fund............................... $25.00 370
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(b) Drug violations. In addition to any monetary 371
penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be 372
imposed and collected the following state assessment in addition 373
to all other state assessments due under this section from each 374
person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any 375
violation of Section 41-29-139: 376
Drug Evidence Disposition Fund........................$ 25.00 377
Mississippi Foster Care Fund..........................$ 2.00 378
(c) Motor vehicle liability insurance violations. In 379
addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed 380
by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state 381
assessment in addition to all other state assessments due under 382
this section from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or 383
other penalty for any violation of Section 63-15-4(4) or Section 384
63-16-13(1): 385
Uninsured Motorist Identification Fund: 386
First offense....................................$200.00 387
Second offense...................................$300.00 388
Third or subsequent offense......................$400.00 389
(9) If a fine or other penalty imposed is suspended, in 390
whole or in part, such suspension shall not affect the state 391
assessment under this section. No state assessment imposed under 392
the provisions of this section may be suspended or reduced by the 393
court. 394
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(10) (a) After a determination by the court of the amount 395
due, it shall be the duty of the clerk of the court to promptly 396
collect all state assessments imposed under the provisions of this 397
section. The state assessments imposed under the provisions of 398
this section may not be paid by personal check. 399
(b) It shall be the duty of the chancery clerk of each 400
county to deposit all state assessments collected in the circuit, 401
county and justice courts in the county on a monthly basis with 402
the State Treasurer pursuant to appropriate procedures established 403
by the State Auditor. The chancery clerk shall make a monthly 404
lump-sum deposit of the total state assessments collected in the 405
circuit, county and justice courts in the county under this 406
section, and shall report to the Department of Finance and 407
Administration the total number of violations under each 408
subsection for which state assessments were collected in the 409
circuit, county and justice courts in the county during that 410
month. 411
(c) It shall be the duty of the municipal clerk of each 412
municipality to deposit all the state assessments collected in the 413
municipal court in the municipality on a monthly basis with the 414
State Treasurer pursuant to appropriate procedures established by 415
the State Auditor. The municipal clerk shall make a monthly 416
lump-sum deposit of the total state assessments collected in the 417
municipal court in the municipality under this section, and shall 418
report to the Department of Finance and Administration the total 419
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number of violations under each subsection for which state 420
assessments were collected in the municipal court in the 421
municipality during that month. 422
(11) It shall be the duty of the Department of Finance and 423
Administration to deposit on a monthly basis all state assessments 424
into the State General Fund or proper special fund in the State 425
Treasury. The Department of Finance and Administration shall 426
issue regulations providing for the proper allocation of these 427
funds. 428
(12) The State Auditor shall establish by regulation 429
procedures for refunds of state assessments, including refunds 430
associated with assessments imposed before July 1, 1990, and 431
refunds after appeals in which the defendant's conviction is 432
reversed. The Auditor shall provide in the regulations for 433
certification of eligibility for refunds and may require the 434
defendant seeking a refund to submit a verified copy of a court 435
order or abstract by which the defendant is entitled to a refund. 436
All refunds of state assessments shall be made in accordance with 437
the procedures established by the Auditor. 438
SECTION 11. Section 9-5-81, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 439
amended as follows: 440
9-5-81. The chancery court in addition to the full 441
jurisdiction in all the matters and cases expressly conferred upon 442
it by the Constitution shall have jurisdiction of all cases 443
transferred to it by the circuit court or remanded to it by the 444
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Supreme Court; and such further jurisdiction, as is, in this 445
chapter or elsewhere, provided by law. A chancery court is 446
authorized to establish a domestic abuse court as provided in 447
Sections 1 through 9 of this act. 448
SECTION 12. Section 9-9-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 449
amended as follows: 450
9-9-21. (1) The jurisdiction of the county court shall be 451
as follows: It shall have jurisdiction concurrent with the 452
justice court in all matters, civil and criminal of which the 453
justice court has jurisdiction; and it shall have jurisdiction 454
concurrent with the circuit and chancery courts in all matters of 455
law and equity wherein the amount of value of the thing in 456
controversy shall not exceed, exclusive of costs and interest, the 457
sum of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00), and the 458
jurisdiction of the county court shall not be affected by any 459
setoff, counterclaim or cross-bill in such actions where the 460
amount sought to be recovered in such setoff, counterclaim or 461
cross-bill exceeds Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00). 462
Provided, however, the party filing such setoff, counterclaim or 463
cross-bill which exceeds Two Hundred Thousand Dollars 464
($200,000.00) shall give notice to the opposite party or parties 465
as provided in Section 13-3-83, and on motion of all parties filed 466
within twenty (20) days after the filing of such setoff, 467
counterclaim or cross-bill, the county court shall transfer the 468
case to the circuit or chancery court wherein the county court is 469
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ST: Domestic abuse court program; establish.
situated and which would otherwise have jurisdiction. It shall 470
have exclusively the jurisdiction heretofore exercised by the 471
justice court in the following matters and causes: namely, 472
eminent domain, the partition of personal property, and actions of 473
unlawful entry and detainer, provided that the actions of eminent 474
domain and unlawful entry and detainer may be returnable and 475
triable before the judge of said court in vacation. The county 476
court shall have jurisdiction over criminal matters in the county 477
assigned by a judge of the circuit court district in which the 478
county is included. 479
(2) In the event of the establishment of a county court by 480
an agreement between two (2) or more counties as provided in 481
Section 9-9-3, it shall be lawful for such court sitting in one 482
(1) county to act upon any and all matters of which it has 483
jurisdiction as provided by law arising in the other county under 484
the jurisdiction of said court. 485
(3) A county court is authorized to establish a domestic 486
abuse court as provided in Sections 1 through 9 of this act. 487
SECTION 13. This act shall take effect and be in force from 488
and after July 1, 2026. 489