Consolidation Of Federal Courts Considered

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Legislation to realign the federal court in north Mississippi will condense the existing four divisions into three, according to Republican Sens. Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker.

Cochran and Wicker say the bill now goes to the president and will take effect 60 days after the president signs it.

The northern district court presently hears cases in Oxford, Greenville, Aberdeen and Clarksdale. The division in Clarksdale would be closed under the bill.

Cochran says the realignment should improve the overall operation of the federal judiciary in north Mississippi.

The southern federal court district in Mississippi has divisions in Jackson, Hattiesburg and Gulfport.