District Attorney Offices Losing Funds

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — Debit cards and check verification software have changed the way we shop and retailers do business. That and a new state law have combined to have an impact in an area you might not suspect: the courts.

Criminal prosecutors across the state are facing a serious financial crunch.

The money loss is coming from two major sources. The extinction of bounced checks which means little or no fees from collections.

District Attorney Circuit Court 16,  Forrest Allgood says, “Bottom line revenue from bad check collection is getting to to be negligible.”

In addition,  house bill 585 which reduced hundreds of felony crimes to misdemeanors.

In Lowndes county alone, since the new law took effect in July, the number of felony indictments have fallen from more than 200 to less than 100. Oktibbeha, Clay and Noxubee counties have seen similar drops.

With more cases going to justice court and handled by county prosecutors, it means fewer fines and probation fees for district attorneys offices like Allgood’s.

Harry Sanders, Lowndes Supervisor President says, “I think some legislature didn’t see all of it, but I am sure that one or two knew exactly what they were doing, and they were just transferring the burden to the counties and taking it away from the state.”

The change in the law means Justice Courts are getting more revenue. But that money doesn’t automatically go to prosecutors. Instead, supervisors get to decide. That opens justice up to political differences and budget demands. It’s particularly tough in the Delta and rural North Mississippi counties.

Sanders goes on to say, ‘It is something that needs to be looked at and needs to be changed.”

Categories: Local News

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