New Laws in Mississippi (effective July 1, 2011)

HB 196:  A new domestic violence law allows use of global position monitoring system as a condition on bond.  Click here to read the new bill.

SB 2426:  A new emergency assistance law makes it a misdemeanor for someone to prevent a victim from seeking emergency medical or law enforcement assistance.  Attorney General Hood said, “Although the law is not specific to domestic violence, this type of interference often occurs when the offender refuses to allow the victim to seek medical attention for treatment of injuries or yanks the phone cord out of the wall or tears up the cell phone to prevent the victim from calling 911 for help.  This also occurs in non-domestic offenses as well, such as a carjacking or a burglary in which the victim is prevented from seeking assistance.”  To read further on the MS Attorney General's website click here.

 Mississippi Custody Laws

Types of Custody:

    (a) Physical and legal custody to both parents jointly pursuant to subsections (2) through (7).

    (b) Physical custody to both parents jointly pursuant to subsections (2) through (7) and legal custody to either parent.

    (c) Legal custody to both parents jointly pursuant to subsections (2) through (7) and physical custody to either parent.

   (d) Physical and legal custody to either parent.

   (e) Upon a finding by the court that both of the parents of the child have abandoned or deserted such child or that both such parents are mentally, morally or otherwise unfit to rear and train the child the court may award physical and legal custody to:

  (i) The person in whose home the child has been living in a wholesome and stable environment; or

  (ii) Physical and legal custody to any other person deemed by the court to be suitable and able to provide adequate and proper care and guidance for the child.