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Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure – 2026

The Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure, effective July 1, 2017, which replaced the Uniform Rules of Circuit and County Court Practice in criminal cases. One hundred and thirty rules numbered by part, from general provisions and the commencement of proceedings, through initial appearance, preliminary hearing, bail, the charge, arraignment and pleas, discovery, trial and sentencing, to post-trial motions. The court publishes a Comment with most rules.

Browse all 137 rules of the 2026 edition organized by section below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

Sections

Part 1: General Provisions Part 2: Commencement of Criminal Proceedings Part 3: Arrest Warrant or Summons upon Commencement of Criminal Proceedings Part 4: Search Warrants Part 5: Arrest and Initial Appearance Part 6: Preliminary Hearing Part 7: Counsel Part 8: Release Part 9: Trial Setting Part 10: Presence of Defendant, Witnesses, and Spectators Part 11: Change of the Place of Trial Part 12: Mental Examinations Part 13: The Grand Jury Part 14: Indictment Part 15: Arraignment and Pleas Part 16: Pre-Trial Motions Part 17: Disclosure and Discovery Part 18: Trial by Jury; Waiver; Selection and Preparation of Petit Jury; Prohibited Disclosures Part 19: Trial Part 20: Duties of Court Reporters Part 21: Motions for Directed Verdict Part 22: Jury Instructions Part 23: Deliberations Part 24: Verdict Part 25: Post-Trial Motions Part 26: Judgment Part 27: Probation Part 28: Retention of Records and Evidence Part 29: Appeals from Justice or Municipal Court Part 30: Appeals from County Court Part 31: Post-Conviction Collateral Relief Part 32: Contempt Part 33: Subpoenas Part 34: Motions
Part 1: General Provisions Rules 1.1–1.10 Part 2: Commencement of Criminal Proceedings Rules 2.1–2.2 Part 3: Arrest Warrant or Summons upon Commencement of Criminal Proceedings Rules 3.1–3.2 Part 4: Search Warrants Rules 4.1–4.4 Part 5: Arrest and Initial Appearance Rules 5.1–5.2 Part 6: Preliminary Hearing Rules 6.1–6.2 Part 7: Counsel Rules 7.1–7.4 Part 8: Release Rules 8.1–8.7 Part 9: Trial Setting Rule 9 Part 10: Presence of Defendant, Witnesses, and Spectators Rules 10.1–10.3 Part 11: Change of the Place of Trial Rules 11.1–11.2 Part 12: Mental Examinations Rules 12.1–12.6 Part 13: The Grand Jury Rules 13.1–13.7 Part 14: Indictment Rules 14.1–14.6 Part 15: Arraignment and Pleas Rules 15.1–15.4 Part 16: Pre-Trial Motions Rules 16.1–16.2 Part 17: Disclosure and Discovery Rules 17.1–17.10 Part 18: Trial by Jury; Waiver; Selection and Preparation of Petit Jury; Prohibited Disclosures Rules 18.1–18.9 Part 19: Trial Rules 19.1–19.2 Part 20: Duties of Court Reporters Rule 20 Part 21: Motions for Directed Verdict Rule 21 Part 22: Jury Instructions Rule 22 Part 23: Deliberations Rules 23.1–23.5 Part 24: Verdict Rules 24.1–24.6 Part 25: Post-Trial Motions Rules 25.1–25.4 Part 26: Judgment Rules 26.1–26.8 Part 27: Probation Rules 27.1–27.4 Part 28: Retention of Records and Evidence Rule 28 Part 29: Appeals from Justice or Municipal Court Rules 29.1–29.5 Part 30: Appeals from County Court Rules 30.1–30.3 Part 31: Post-Conviction Collateral Relief Rule 31 Part 32: Contempt Rules 32.1–32.6 Part 33: Subpoenas Rule 33 Part 34: Motions Rules 34.1–34.5