Court-ordered restitution; require payment to victim first before court costs/fines are disbursed.

HB 615 requires Mississippi courts to pay victims of crime the full amount of court-ordered restitution before paying any court costs or fines to the court. This applies to criminal cases where restitution is ordered by justice, county, or municipal courts, directly affecting victims who receive payments and defendants who must pay restitution. The bill changes the payment order so victims are prioritized, ensuring restitution is paid in full to them before the court collects its own costs or fines. It does not alter restitution amounts or eligibility but mandates the sequence of payments. The bill died in committee and has not become law.