Miss. L. Cir. Ct. R. 2

As amended through March 21, 2024

Rule 2 - Form to be Used Regarding a Criminal Defendant's Contact with Counsel Prior to Trial

(a) It appearing to the Court, after consultation with the office of the District Attorney, the Public Defender's office, and private attorneys in the area, that many delays are occurring in the hearing of motions, trial on the merits, and other matters needing attention in cases on the criminal docket of the 18th Circuit Court District, because defendants are not making regular or timely calls or visits to the office of their attorneys, court-appointed and private, relative to pending criminal charges, that the attached form shall be completed and signed by defendants in all criminal matters, approved by defense counsel and the district attorney, and filed with the Clerk of this Court in each criminal matter at the time same comes on for arraignment.

(b) The Clerk of this Court shall maintain a minimum of 250 of these forms in the courtroom at all times for distribution to defense attorneys in each criminal matter coming before the Court at time of arraignment. The original of each completed form shall be marked filed and placed in the appropriate court file, with a copy for the District Attorney's file and the defense attorney's file.

(RULE 2 FORM)

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE SECOND/FIRST JUDICIAL

DISTRICT OF JONES COUNTY, MISS.

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

NO. ____________

VS.

_________________________

THIS DAY this agreement entered into by and between the defendant and his attorney of record relative to the above styled and numbered cause presently pending on the criminal docket, Circuit Court, Jones County, Mississippi.

The defendant having been duly arraigned and entered a plea of not guilty to the charge preferred by grand jury indictment, and this case having been set for trial and/or motion hearing on _________________________________.

The defendant herein agrees to make regular and timely contacts by telephone or visits to the office of his attorney and that no less than one week before the trial/motion date in this case, above stated, to appear in person at said attorney's office. Telephone number and address of defense counsel is: _______________________________________.

The defendant also expressly understands and agrees that the appearance bond in this matter is conditioned upon his/her compliance with the above requirements, and that failure to do so will result in his/her arrest and detention by the Jones County Sheriff's Department without further notice.

Defense Attorney hereby agrees to advise the Court and the District Attorney a minimum of one week in advance of trial/motion date if said defendant has not been cooperative in making regular and timely contact with their office.

This agreement to be executed in triplicate, with the original of same being placed in the court file in this cause, a copy being placed in the file of defense counsel and a copy in the file of the District Attorney.

This ___________ day of ____________________, 20____.

_______________________

Defendant

APPROVED:

_______________________

Attorney for Defendant

_______________________

District Attorney/Asst. D.A.

Miss. L. Cir. Ct. R. 2