Mississippi Criminal Law Blog

A “Romeo and Juliet” law is an exception in the law to prevent the prosecution of underage people who engage in consensual sex when both participants are significantly close in age, and one is below the age of consent. Named after William Shakespeare’s young lovers in the Romeo and Juliet play, these exceptions protect young people from criminal charges resulting from consensual sexual activity with other young people. People cannot be prosecuted for statutory rape or sexual battery who have engaged in sexual activity with one another and are within 36 months of each other. In Mississippi, the age of consent is 16 years old. At 16, a person is legally old enough to consent to sexual activity. Individuals aged 15 or younger cannot legally consent to sexual activity, and such action could result in prosecution for statutory rape or sexual battery. In Mississippi, statutory rape laws are violated when a person has consensual sexual intercourse with an individual under 16 and who is not their spouse. A close-in-age exemption exists when the age gap between the parties is less than 36 months.

Statutory Rape in Mississippi:

In Mississippi, a person commits statutory rape by having sexual intercourse with a 14 or 15-year-old child when the defendant is age 17 or older and more than three years older than the child. For example, a 17-year-old who has had consensual sex with a 15-year-old cannot be criminally prosecuted in Mississippi. However, sex with anyone younger than 14 is always a crime and can carry a possible sentence of life imprisonment. (Miss. Code Ann. §§ 97-3-65, 97-3-95 (2018).)

If you are facing a criminal trial, expert witnesses may play a significant role. But what exactly is an expert witness, and how may they affect your chances? The truth is that there are many different types of expert witnesses that could be called upon, and it all depends on the unique circumstances of your situation. However, you should know that expert witnesses have the potential to help you considerably – or diminish your chances of a positive outcome. 

If you are facing charges in Mississippi, you should get in touch with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Although you can always rely on a public defense attorney, a private lawyer can help you strive for better results in a much more efficient manner. The truth is that many criminal cases never reach trial, and skilled attorneys can help you work out certain deals without ever needing to call upon an expert witness. 

What is an Expert Witness?

Despite the fact that many people look down upon criminals and view them with contempt, these individuals still have rights. Unfortunately, many prisons across the United States do not treat prisoners according to these rights. A recent report from the Department of Justice has found that the Mississippi State Penitentiary has violated the US Constitution on numerous occasions. This raises serious questions about how we approach criminal justice in the Magnolia State, and the report may result in considerable consequences for those who allowed this misconduct and negligence to continue.

If you feel as though you or a loved one has experienced poor prison conditions, you can get in touch with a criminal defense attorney and make a legal challenge. In some cases, this can help inmates achieve better conditions. It is always important to fight for your rights, whether you have been accused of a crime or not. Of course, the best possible outcome is to steer clear of prison altogether. Once again, a criminal defense attorney can help you accomplish this. It is best to get in touch with a defense lawyer as soon as you face charges.

What is Happening in the Mississippi State Penitentiary?

“The lesson is that you can still make mistakes and be forgiven.” – Robert Downey, Jr.

When your child finds themselves in the justice system, it does not have to be the end for them but you must act quickly. Juvenile justice courts move at a quick pace and you don’t want your child’s mistakes to potentially leave them with a lifelong record.

Court cases filed in the United States Juvenile courts in 2019, as noted in Sarah Hockenberry’s article Delinquency Cases in Juvenile Court[1], showed that in 2019 there was a decrease of about 2% in the total number of juvenile cases compared to 2018. There are three general categories which juvenile crimes most often fall into: person crimes, property offenses, drug offenses, and public order offenses. Below are the national statistics of juvenile offenders, has your child found themselves in one of these categories?

Robbing just one bank is a serious crime in Mississippi – but what happens if you rob multiple banks within a relatively short span of time? This is more common than you might think – especially as the economy becomes more and more challenging for those experiencing financial difficulties. Sometimes, individuals may feel like they have no other choice but to rob a bank. However, you should know that the penalties for this crime can be quite severe – whether you rob multiple banks or just one.

If you are facing charges for bank robbery in Mississippi, your best bet is to get in touch with a qualified, experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Although the legal consequences of this crime can be quite severe, there is no reason you should face unnecessarily harsh penalties. The best way to mitigate these consequences is book a consultation with a defense attorney as soon as possible.

Man Arrested After Allegedly Robbing Banks Across Mississippi