Mississippi legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Mississippi HB1295: Juror qualifications; revise.
Status: Failed, March 3, 2026
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 13-5-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPETENT JURORS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
What the bill says
An act to amend section 13-5-1, mississippi code of 1972, to revise the requirements for competent jurors; and for related purposes.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 13-5-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPETENT JURORS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. Section 13-5-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 13-5-1. Every citizen not under the age of twenty-one (21) years, who is either a * * * designated as an active voter in the Statewide Election Management System, or a resident freeholder of the county for more than one (1) year, is able to read and write, and has not been convicted of an infamous crime, or the unlawful sale of intoxicating liquors within a period of five (5) years and who is not a common gambler or habitual drunkard, is a competent juror. No person who is or has been within twelve (12) months the overseer of a public road or road contractor shall, however, be competent to serve as a grand juror. The lack of any such qualifications on the part of one or more jurors shall not, however, vitiate an indictment or verdict. Moreover, no talesman *HR26/R1696* H. B. No. 1295 ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2 26/HR26/R1696 PAGE 1 (GT\KW) or tales juror shall be qualified who has served as such talesman or tales juror in the last preceding two (2) years, and …
Sponsors
- Owen, Jansen T. (R, 106) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Died In Committee
- : Referred To Judiciary, Division A
- : Transmitted To Senate
- : Passed
- : Title Suff Do Pass
- : Referred To Judiciary B
Votes
- Passed (February 11, 2026): 106 yea, 3 nay, passed
Subjects: Juror qualifications
Common questions
- What is HB1295?
- HB1295 is a bill in the Mississippi Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Juror qualifications; revise.
- What does HB1295 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend section 13-5-1, mississippi code of 1972, to revise the requirements for competent jurors; and for related purposes.
- What is the status of HB1295?
- Failed as of March 3, 2026. Latest action: Died In Committee (March 3, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1295?
- Owen, Jansen T. (R, 106).
- Where is the official record for HB1295?
- On the Mississippi Legislature website: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1295.xml
Source: official Mississippi record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.