Posted on Thu, Mar. 20, 2008

JACKSON -- The Mississippi Senate has unanimously passed a bill that makes bribing a judge a felony and it will head to the governor to be signed into law.

House Bill 1108, authored by House Judiciary Committee A Chairman Ed Blackmon, D-Canton, makes bribing a judge a felony punishable by imprisonment for not less than five years, but not more than 20 years and a fine three times the amount of the bribe, but in no case less than $25,000.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Joey Fillingane, R-Sumrall, said thA presently, bribing a judge is a misdemeanor in Mississippi. The Senate did not amend the House Bill, so it will be sent to Gov. Haley Barbour to be signed into law.

The Sun Herald follows the action from the Legislature in both print and online editions.