Merit employees and part-time and grant-funded employees regularly scheduled to work 50% or more of the normal pay period are eligible for court appearance leave in accordance with the terms of this article. Contractual and appointed employees are eligible for court appearance leave only if such leave is granted by an express term of their employment contract or appointment, respectively. Employees not eligible for court appearance leave may be entitled to an unpaid leave of absence in accordance with § 86-4-1101. An employee summonsed to appear in court as a witness shall be excused from duty without loss of pay and without charge against leave, except that this leave provision is not extended to an employee initiating or defending against legal action. Any employee summonsed to appear in court as a witness must notify the supervisor in advance. Any time during the court appearance leave on which it is determined that the employee's service is no longer required or upon completion of service for the day, the employee shall immediately report to his or her supervisor for duty.
