6. Amicus briefs

The Mississippi Court of Appeals and the Mississippi Supreme Court accept, although not routinely, amicus briefs under Rule 29 of the Mississippi Rules of Appellate Procedure, which states:

(a) Grounds for Filing.

A brief of an amicus curiae may be filed only by leave of the appropriate appellate court, except that leave shall not be required when the brief is presented by the state and sponsored by the Attorney General or by a guardian ad litem who is not otherwise a party to the appeal. A motion for leave shall demonstrate that (1) amicus has an interest in some other case involving a similar question; or (2) counsel for a party is inadequate or the brief insufficient; or (3) there are matters of fact or law that may otherwise escape the court's attention; or (4) the amicus has substantial legitimate interests that will likely be affected by the outcome of the case and which interests will not be adequately protected by those already parties to the case.

(b) How and When Filed.

A motion for leave to file an amicus brief shall be filed no later than seven (7) days after filing of the initial brief of the party whose position the amicus brief will support. The motion must be accompanied by the proposed brief of amicus curiae which shall be a concise statement not to exceed 15 pages. The party filing the motion shall also file with the motion a brief stating why the motion satisfies the requirements of Rule 29(a).

(c) Response to Motion.

An opposing party who does not object to the motion for leave may respond to the amicus brief in the opposing party's response or reply brief pursuant to Rule 28(b) or 28(c). An opposing party who objects to the motion for leave shall file a timely response in opposition pursuant to Rule 27 stating why the requirements of Rule 29(a) have not been met. For the purpose of Rule 31(a), the time for filing the next brief will run from the date the appropriate court enters an order on the motion for leave.

(d) Oral Argument.

A motion of amicus curiae to participate in oral argument will be granted only for extraordinary reasons.

There are no organizations that regularly file amicus briefs opposing the subpoenaing of reporters.