Mississippi Code
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-4-101 (2026)
Declaration of public policy
✓ current as of July 2026
The Legislature declares that elective and public office and employment is a public trust and any effort to realize personal gain through official conduct, other than as provided by law, or as a natural consequence of the employment or position, is a violation of that trust. Therefore, public servants shall endeavor to pursue a course of conduct which will not raise suspicion among the public that they are likely to be engaged in acts that are in violation of this trust and which will not reflect unfavorably upon the state and local governments.
Laws, 1983, ch. 469, § 1, eff. 7/1/1983.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 12
cases, 1987–2020 · leading case: Frazier v. State by & Through Pittman, 504 So. 2d 675 (Miss. 1987).
Frazier v. State by & Through Pittman, 504 So. 2d 675 (Miss. 1987). “We likewise address the constitutionality of certain sections of Miss. Code Ann. § 25-4-101 , et seq. (Chapter 469, Laws of 1983).”
Mississippi Ethics Comm'n v. Grisham, 957 So. 2d 997 (Miss. 2007). “§ 25-4-101: [t]he legislature declares that elective and public office and employment is a public trust and any effort to realize personal gain through official conduct, other than as provided by law, or as a natural consequence of the employment or position, is a violation of…”
Winder v. State, 640 So. 2d 893 (Miss. 1994). “1992), we held that Miss. Code Ann. § 25-4-107 (1972), guaranteeing a defendant charged with a violation of a conflict of interest statute Miss.”
Moore Ex Rel. Benton Cnty. v. Renick, 626 So. 2d 148 (Miss. 1993). “However, the appellants also charged Renick with a violation of several of the various ethics laws, codified in Miss. Code Ann. § 25-4-101 et seq. These laws govern the conduct of public officials, detailing actions which are proscribed by law and which constitute a conflict of…”
Towner v. Moore Ex Rel. Quitman Cty. Sch. Dist., 604 So. 2d 1093 (Miss. 1992). “He also brought his action under Miss. Code Ann. § 25-4-101 , et seq., the conflict of interest statutes governing public officials.”
Moore v. McCullough, 633 So. 2d 421 (Miss. 1993). “Miss. Code Ann. § 25-4-101 explicitly states: The legislature declares that elective and public office and employment is a public trust and any effort to realize personal gain through official conduct, other than as provided by law, or as a natural consequence of the employment…”
Huey Stockstill, Inc. v. Hales, 730 So. 2d 539 (Miss. 1998). “See Miss.Code Ann. § 25-4-101 (1972). Based on the Ethics Commission's second opinion, the Board awarded the contract to Columbia as the lowest and best bidder.”
Hinds Cmty. Coll. Dist. v. Muse, 725 So. 2d 207 (Miss. 1998). “" Miss.Code Ann. § 25-4-101. The injury inflicted in the case sub judice is not an injury to Hinds Community College resulting from inadequate teaching by Vashti.”
Towner v. Moore ex rel. Quitman Cnty. Sch. Dist., 604 So. 2d 1093 (Miss. 1992). “He also brought his action under Miss. Code Ann. § 25-4-101 , et seq., the conflict of interest statutes governing public officials.”
Mississippi Ethics Comm'n v. Dennis C. Grisham (Miss. 2006). “§ 25-4-101 : [t]he legislature declares that elective and public office and employment is a public trust and any effort to realize personal gain through official conduct, other than as provided by law, or as a natural consequence of the employment or position, is a violation of…”
Mississippi True v. David J. Dzielak, Ph.D., in his Off. capacity as Exec. Dir. of the Div. of Medicaid, Off. of the Governor & Individually upon bond & The Div. of Medicaid, Off. of the Governor, State of Mississippi (Miss. 2020). “Miss. Code Ann. § 25-4-101 (Rev. 2018). ¶78.”
Hinds Cmty. Coll. v. Vernon Clyde Muse (Miss. 1997). “" Miss. Code Ann. § 25-4-101 . The injury inflicted in the case sub judice is not an injury to Hinds Community College resulting from inadequate teaching by Vashti.”
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