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Re: "Mississippi Citizens Act"
IN THE MATTER OF PROPOSED OF INITIATIVE TO AMMEND THE MISSISSIPPI CONSTITUTION OF 1890 RELATING TO THE MISSISSIPPI CITIZENS ACT;
A. PROVIDE A METHOD WHEREBY CITIZENS MAY INTRODUCE LEGISLATIVE IDEAS TO THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE OFFICE;
B. TO PROVIDE A METHOD WHEREBY CITIZENS MAY FILE COMPLAINTS AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS REGARDING POLICE MISCONDUCT; TO PROVIDE FOR A HEARING FOR SUCH COMPLAINTS; TO PROVIDE PENALTIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
C. TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN ACTS BY JUDGES, PROSECUTERS AND ATTORNEYS; TO PROVIDE PENALITES FOR VIOLATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Mississippi Citizens Act."
SECTION 2.
A. Any citizen legally registered to vote in the State of Mississippi can introduce legislative ideas to the State of Mississippi legislature's office without the bill being introduced or sponsored by a State Representative or State Senator. The citizen submitting the legislative idea must have a high school diploma or GED and have earned at least twenty-four (24) hours from a University of College to make a legislative submission to the State Legislature's office. The citizen must abide by all State guidelines concerning submitting legislative ideas.
B. Any person aggrieved by an action by a law enforcement officer against such person may file a complaint in the circuit court district where the action took place. The court shall hold a jury trial hearings within sixty (60) days after receiving the complaint to determine if a violation has occurred. The juror selection will be three registered voters residing in the State of Mississippi all of different ethnicity. The personal filing the complaint and the law enforcement officer shall take a polygraph examination two weeks prior to the court hearing regarding the incident. The case will ultimately be reviewed and determined by the jurors.
If the court finds that the law enforcement officer has committed a violation of misconduct, racial misconduct, unnecessary physical abuse or other improper conduct, the officer shall be subject to fine of Five Thousand Dollars ($500.00) by the State of Mississippi to paid over a one year period and a suspension from the law enforcement agency for thirty (30) days.
Any person who files a false claim under this section shall be subject to fine of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisonment for not more then 30 Days or both.
If the conduct of the officer is found to be a violation of law, the district Attorney shall file the appropriate criminal charges and prosecute the officer.
C. Any judge, prosecutor or attorney who deprives any person of their constitutional and civil rights, who is found guilty of false pretense, who abuses or exceeds their judicial power, who is guilty of improper courtroom decorum or who engages in unethical conduct shall, upon conviction, be fined Five Thousand Dollars ($5000.00) by the State of Mississippi. In addition to such fine the personal shall be suspended from the practice of law for ninety (90) days for the first offense and shall be suspended from the practice of law for one (1) year for a second or subsequent offense. A party with legal standing may petition the court and The Mississippi State Bar to disbar a violator for up to five (5) years if the actions of the violator are found to be acts of malice. No judge shall issue any ruling on a legal matter without conducting a fair hearing which allows all interested parties to participate. A violation of this section shall be subject to the penalties provided in Section 2-C of this act.
ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT
The amount and source of revenue to implement the initiative would be paid by the state's General and Special Fund estimated to be $100,000 or less.
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