Notice

I admit I have been a lax blogger with this site but that just makes this blog like many others on some level. I do hope if someone still visits or has us in a feed reader that you will take note that I will be thoughts about Mississippi law and municipal actions over to a new blog started by an attorney friend of mine and I have agreed to chime in from time to time. So, please visit http://msmunilaw.wordpress.com/ if you get a chance, hopefully we can make that a successful blog. Additionally, I will keep this blog alive and perhaps talk about some non-municipal issues as they arise if I get the opportunity.

Special Parole Provisions Bill

House Bill #2 has made some news this legislative session as it addresses the creation of a higher standard to be met by sex offenders and murders when considered for parold. Today, Shelia Byrd of the NEM Daily Journal has a good recap of the sitution. The procedural history of the bill can be found on the Legislature's website, here.

In other news

If you read this blog you've probably noticed we are oddly random about what we cover and what we don't, in the covered part I offer today this link to the story of how a New Orleans attorney, James Perdigao, "stole" approximately $20 Million from his firm Adams and Reese. I mention this here as Adams and Reese also maintains a Jackson office. Based on who Perdigao is having to repay with restitution I can only assume he was working on issues regarding casino gaming as Pennicle Entertainment is the owner of casino's such as Boomtown in metro New Orleans.

MSRCP Rule 45 open for comment

From time to time the Supreme Court amends the Rules of Civil Procedure and as such they ask for public comment. Currently and amendment to Rule 45 has been proposed and the comment period is now open.

The amendment basically deals with subpoena's in a foreign jurisdiction and how they will be handled by the clerk and how this influence "appereance" before the courts.

Eminent Domain

The dominating piece of news in Mississippi Law this week is Governor Barbour's statement that he will veto HB 803 which heavily restrict the State's ability to use eminent domain. What is so amazing about this bill is that is passed both the House (119-3) and Senate (51-0) with clear bipartisan support. Will the legislature override the veto? Is Eminent Domain for major private projects a proper use of this tool? Feel free to discuss in the comments.

SCRAM devices in play in Mississippi

The Supreme Court recently released this press release which described how the Eighth District Drug Court is testing the use of SCRAM alcohol detection devices with offenders. The devices are much like bracelets worn by house arrest sentenced criminals and allow for the testing of alcholoic use through contact with the skin and sweat. The validity of this device is disputed but that is one of the obvious reasons the 8th Circuit Drug Court is testing it before this is used state wide. Here is a general article about the spread of SCRAM device use.

Other places to visit for MS Legal News

While I don't want to lose any of our readers I do want to refer you to other places on the web that can bring you some good info, and that includes blogs. Three different legislators have blogs though the Clarion Ledger and you might want to keep up with them, 1. to find out what is happening in your Capitol, and 2. to gain a better understanding of some of the thoughts of those who make decisions that effect laws every day (well at least when in session).

Greg Snowden's Blog
John Mayo's Blog
Lydia Chassaniol's Blog