Mississippi

Overview

The Mississippi judiciary is primarily funded through general fund legislative appropriations which cover the operations of the appellate courts, circuit (general jurisdiction) court, chancery courts, and Administrative Office of Courts. Mississippi does have additional special fund appropriations for special projects such as the development of electronic filing/case management systems.
A significant element of the trial court system, the clerk’s of courts (Circuit and Chancery Clerks) are independently elected and funded at the county level, largely through fees. Lesser courts such as county courts, justice courts, and municipal courts are funded at the county or local level.
Court facilities such as court houses, parking areas, some furnishings and equipment are paid for at the county level and some counties supplement state appropriations for trial court support staff. All court reporters are paid through county and district budgets.
Mississippi’s state appropriation increased from $56.5 million in FY11 to $60.2 million in FY12, an increase of more than 5%. They are able to maintain the number of judges and staff and increase their spending on operating expenses.
Technology initiatives include e-filing and an electronic document management system.

Reports and Articles

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