Articles Posted in MS Criminal Laws

What Is a Sentencing Enhancement? A sentencing enhancement is a factor that increases the punishment a court may impose beyond the base penalty for the underlying offense. When an enhancement applies, a defendant faces harsher consequences. These include longer prison terms, loss of parole eligibility, or elevation of the overall punishment category. Enhanced penalties can…

What Is a Bond Reduction Hearing? A bond reduction hearing is a court proceeding. In it, you or your lawyer ask a judge to lower the bail set after an arrest. The goal is to make bail something you can afford. The court still has to be sure you come back for later court dates.…

Getting arrested can be scary and overwhelming – for both you and your family. Even if it's for something small, it's still a stressful situation. You may wonder how long you'll be held or what's going to happen next. A lot of people think that if the police don't read them their rights, their charges…

You may have heard the phrase “Miranda Rights” mentioned in movies, TV shows, or news reports. But what exactly are Miranda Rights, and why are they so important? Understanding your rights is crucial for anyone involved in police interactions or the criminal justice system. The Origins of Miranda Rights The concept of Miranda Rights stems…

Should I or could I represent myself on criminal charges in the state of Mississippi? To quote William Shakespeare, “To be or not to be [my own attorney]? That is the question”. Is it reasonable for me to be my own attorney? Once you have been charged with a crime, you’ve got to understand the…

The next step after a bind-over is the arraignment – read what is an arraignment for what happens there. A preliminary hearing is one step in a longer process – our criminal law practice covers the rest of it. If someone you care about is sitting in jail on a felony charge, one of the…

Robbery is a serious criminal offense in Mississippi. Understanding what it means matters. You should know how robbery differs from similar crimes and what steps to take if you or someone you care about faces an accusation. What Is Robbery? Robbery and burglary are often confused, but they differ significantly. The key difference is whether…

An arraignment hearing is the first formal court appearance after criminal charges are filed. During this hearing, the judge reads the charges, advises the defendant of constitutional rights, accepts a plea, and addresses bond or bail. Understanding what happens in an arraignment hearing can help you prepare for this critical step in the criminal process.…

When it comes to criminal law, one of the most important parts of the U.S. Constitution is the Fifth Amendment. This amendment helps protect people who are accused of crimes and makes sure they’re treated fairly. In this post, we’ll break down what the Fifth Amendment means and why it matters so much. The Right…

Statutes of limitations play a crucial role in the criminal justice system. They set the time limit for prosecutors to bring criminal charges. In Mississippi, the statute of limitations varies depending on the nature of the crime. While certain serious offenses like murder and rape have no statute of limitations, others have specific timeframes within…