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HB 1509

District Attorneys; revise salaries to certain amount below chancery and circuit courts.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kevin Horan and 1 co-sponsor

Mississippi HB 1509 establishes District Attorney salaries below Chancery and Circuit Court judge compensation levels to restructure prosecutorial compensation in the state.

Approved by Governor
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Bill Summary · HB 1509

Legislative bill overview

HB 1509 adjusts the salary structure for District Attorneys in Mississippi by establishing their compensation at a specified level below that of Chancery and Circuit Court judges. The bill was introduced by Representatives Gene Newman and Kevin Horan and received gubernatorial approval in April 2025.

Why is this important

District Attorney salaries directly affect recruitment and retention of qualified prosecutors, which influences criminal justice system capacity and effectiveness. Salary positioning relative to judicial positions reflects policy priorities regarding prosecutorial resources and can impact case outcomes and public safety operations across Mississippi counties.

Potential points of contention

  • Competitive recruitment concerns: Setting DA salaries below judicial positions may make prosecution roles less attractive to top legal talent, potentially affecting office effectiveness
  • Regional salary disparities: Different Mississippi counties have varying costs of living, but a uniform salary structure may not address local economic realities
  • Judicial-prosecutorial balance: The explicit subordination of DA pay to judicial compensation raises questions about parity between branches of the criminal justice system

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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