Mississippi § 93-21-9 - Contents of petition.

§ 93-21-9. Contents of petition.

A petition filed under the provisions of this chapter shall state: Except as otherwise provided in this section, the name, address and county of residence of each petitioner and of each individual alleged to have committed abuse; The facts and circumstances concerning the alleged abuse; The relationships between the petitioners and the individuals alleged to have committed abuse; and A request for one or more domestic abuse protection orders. If a petition requests a domestic abuse protection order for a spouse and alleges that the other spouse has committed abuse, the petition shall state whether or not a suit for divorce of the spouses is pending and, if so, in what jurisdiction. Any temporary or permanent decree issued in a divorce proceeding subsequent to an order issued pursuant to this chapter may, in the discretion of the chancellor hearing the divorce proceeding, supersede in whole or in part the order issued pursuant to this chapter. If a petitioner is a former spouse of an individual alleged to have committed abuse: A copy of the decree of divorce shall be attached to the petition; or The petition shall state the decree is currently unavailable to the petitioner and that a copy of the decree will be filed with the court before the time for the hearing on the petition. If a petition requests a domestic abuse protection order for a child who is subject to the continuing jurisdiction of a youth court, family court or a chancery court, or alleges that a child who is subject to the continuing jurisdiction of a youth court, family court or chancery court has committed abuse: A copy of the court orders affecting the custody or guardianship, possession and support of or access to the child shall be filed with the petition; or The petition shall state that the orders affecting the child are currently unavailable to the petitioner and that a copy of the orders will be filed with the court before the hearing on the petition. If the petition includes a request for emergency relief pending a hearing, the petition shall contain a general description of the facts and circumstances concerning the abuse and the need for immediate protection. If the petition states that the disclosure of the petitioner’s address would risk abuse of the petitioner or any member of the petitioner’s family or household, or would reveal the confidential address of a shelter for domestic violence victims, the petitioner’s address may be omitted from the petition. If a petitioner’s address has been omitted from the petition pursuant to this subsection and the address of the petitioner is necessary to determine jurisdiction or venue, the disclosure of such address shall be made orally and in camera. A nonpublic record containing the address and contact information of a petitioner shall be maintained by the court to be utilized for court purposes only. Every petition shall be signed by the petitioner under oath that the facts and circumstances contained in the petition are true to the best knowledge and belief of the petitioner. The Attorney General, in cooperation with the Mississippi Supreme Court and the Mississippi Judicial College, shall develop a standardized form petition to be used when requesting a domestic abuse protection order.