Pre-trial Diversion for Individuals with Mental Illness
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Pre-trial Diversion for Individuals with Mental Illness (See
Comments)
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Should the Constitution be amended to provide social enhancement programs for interactions between individuals with mental illness and law enforcement?
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The stated purpose of Initiative Measure No. 71 is to establish the Mental Illness Social Enhancement program, a pre-trial diversion or probation program for individuals with mental illness or disability who have been charged with or convicted of crimes that do not include any form of physical contact. Participants must seek treatment, be a productive member of society, and pay additional fines. The initiative prohibits employers from discriminating against participants.
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The official ballot title and ballot summary for an initiative measure are prepared by the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office. Initiative measures are valid for one year. During this one-year period, a petition may be circulated to place the measure on the next statewide general election ballot to allow the voters of Mississippi to determine whether the measure should become a part of the Mississippi Constitution. According to Mississippi law, for an initiative measure to be placed on the ballot, a minimum of 106,190 certified signatures must be gathered, with at least 21,238 certified signatures from each of the five congressional districts as they existed in the year 2000. This required number of signatures represents twelve percent (12%) of the total number of votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial general election. Signatures must be certified by county circuit clerks as belonging to registered voters in Mississippi. A completed petition should be filed with Secretary of State, together with a filing fee of $500.00. For more information on the initiative process in Mississippi, consult the Mississippi Constitution of 1890, Section 273, and Mississippi Code Annotated §§ 23-17-1 through 23-17-61 (1972).
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