Since its inception in November 1993, the Legal Department has steadily grown in its duties, responsibilities and support staff. Because of tremendous economic growth and activity, the city faces a variety of complicated legal issues, which give rise to the need for specialized attention.

The firm of Page, Mannino, Peresich & McDermott has continued to function as the primary outside city counsel handling most of the city’s litigation. Additionally, the law firm of Carroll, Warren & Parker, PLLC, continues to act as special counsel and handle the city’s annexation matters. Valuable assistance continues to be given by Michael P. Collins on special projects.

The City of Biloxi’s Legal Department consists of two sections: Director’s Office and Court Section. The Director’s Office is staffed by the City Attorney (who also serves as the Department Director), a Paralegal and an Executive Secretary.

The Court Section is comprised of Municipal Court and includes a Municipal Judge and two Municipal Judges Pro Tem, three Prosecutors, and a Public Defender (all of whom serve in a part-time capacity). The full-time court staff consists of a Bailiff, a Senior Court Clerk, a Court Clerk, six Deputy Clerks and one Secretary.

The Director’s Office works closely with the court staff to ensure the continued efficiency and proper running of the Municipal Court. Fine monies continue to be collected in a capable, professional and efficient manner. The Bailiff works closely with the Judge and Court Clerk on court days to ensure the proper decorum when court is in session and ensures the flow from court to the correct staff personnel handling arrangements and paperwork follow-up needed prior to the payment of any fines assessed.

Director's Office

The Legal Department works directly with outside counsel as described above and any other special counsel which may be appointed, in its continuing effort to provide legal services to the Executive and Legislative branches of the City government, including the other six departments.

Any organization requires communication and cooperation in order to provide services at a high level. The Legal Department, through the Director’s Office, strives to provide this communication and cooperation, in both its legal and administrative capacity. The Director’s office is also responsible for the administration of the Department and oversight of all legal matters, routine and litigation.

The Director’s office prepares and/or reviews proposed Resolutions and Ordinances for Council action at the Council Meetings, regarding not only legal matters, but for any other matters where other departments may require legal support.

During 2003 the City Attorney spent a great deal of time working with a committee of employees and consultants to overhaul the City’s comprehensive land development code and regulated business licensing ordinance. He also assists with the Planning Commission, Building Board of Adjustments and Appeals, Architectural Review Commission and Site Plan Review Committee.

The Legal Department has had responsibility for coordination and legal review of two major projects, Caillavet/Bayview and Popp’s Ferry Road, during 2003. These responsibilities have included working closely with the Public Works Department, consultants, contractors, and the citizens whose property is the subject of these projects, along with their various representatives.

A great deal of effort has been made to ensure that both projects progress smoothly and in as timely a manner as possible. Whether it is attending various and numerous meetings, coordinating the timely payment of relocation and/or acquisition payments or arbitrating disputes, the Legal Department has continued to provide assistance when and where needed. In addition to the legal duties performed, the Legal Department, through the Paralegal, handles the responsibility of providing secretarial support to the Biloxi Civil Service Commission.

In cooperation with Human Resources, agendas and minutes are prepared for monthly Civil Service meetings, physical and written tests for entry level police and fire applicants are conducted, all interviews for all seven departments are monitored and any other requests and/or requirements from the Commission are met in an efficient and timely manner. In 1996, a Complaint Resolution Procedure was devised to provide city employees with a fair and user-friendly way to resolve employee matters in-house.

Municipal Court

The Municipal Court has been in its new home in the Public Safety Complex at 170 Porter Avenue since June 2000. Its responsibilities include Traffic and Misdemeanor offenses committed within the city limits. Court is held every day except Friday. Non-DUI trials are held on Mondays, Community Court on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, DUI cases are heard on Wednesdays, and all pleas are heard on Thursdays.

With the receipt of a Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) in the amount of $85,737.00, Municipal Court procured telecommunications equipment to link to the Harrison County Jail in 2003. This enables our judges to remain in Biloxi and see prisoners for pleas via a microwave link. More than 2,300 prisoners were seen this way instead of being physically transported. A number of security advantages are realized by not having to transport an increasing number of prisoners between Gulfport and Biloxi. This grant money was also used to provide security cameras metal detection devises for the courtroom, and upgrade the court computers.

Community Court

Community Court, as a part of the Community Improvement Program, has provided an efficient process by which complaints concerning issues such as (but not limited to) building code violations, code enforcement, and unclean property have been and will continue to be addressed in an expedient and efficient manner. As a result of this program, the City of Biloxi is becoming a cleaner and safer place in which to live, work and play.